Girish Mahajan (Editor)

Congo Craton

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Congo Craton

The Congo Craton, covered by the Palaeozoic-to-recent Congo Basin, is an ancient Precambrian craton that with four others (the Kaapvaal, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, and West African cratons) makes up the modern continent of Africa. These cratons were formed between about 3.6 and 2.0 billion years ago and have been tectonically stable since that time. All of these cratons are bounded by younger fold belts formed between 2.0 billion and 300 million years ago.

The Congo Craton occupies a large part of central southern Africa, extending from the Kasai region of the DRC into Sudan and Angola. It forms parts of the countries of Gabon, Cameroon, and the Central African Republic. A small portion extends into Zambia as well, where it is called the Bangweulu Block.

Geological history

  • Around 2.11 Ga, Congo was part of the minor supercontinent Atlantica.
  • Around 1.82 Ga, Congo was part of the major supercontinent Nuna.
  • Around 1.31 Ga, Congo was an independent continent.
  • Around 1.071 Ga, Congo was part of the major supercontinent Rodinia.
  • Around 990 Ma, Congo was an indepandent continent.
  • Around 600 Ma, Congo was part of the major supercontinent Pannotia.
  • Around Cambrian (541 ± 0.3 to 485.4 ±1.7 Ma), Congo was part of the minor supercontinent Gondwana.
  • Around Carboniferous (358.9 to 298.9 ± 0.8 Ma), all major continents collide against each other for forming the major supercontinent Pangaea.
  • Around Jurassic (201.3 ± 0.6 to 145 ±4 Ma), Pangaea rifted into two minor supercontinents: Laurasia and Gondwana. Congo was part of the minor supercontinent Gondwana.
  • Around Cretaceous (145 ± 4 to 66 Ma), Congo was an independent continent called Africa.
  • Around Neogene (23.03 ± 0.05 Ma until today or ending 2.588 Ma), Congo, in the form of Africa, crashed into Eurasia, forming the minor supercontinent Afro-Eurasia.
  • Around 250 Ma from now, all continents may crash together, forming the major supercontinent Pangaea Ultima. Congo would be part of Pangaea Ultima.
  • Around 450-600 Ma from now, Pangaea Ultima will eventually rift apart. Congo will be an independent continent.

    • References

    Congo Craton Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA