Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Cretaceous-Cenozoic History of the West Saharan Continental Margin (NW Africa): Development, Destruction and Gravitational Sedimentation

  • Conference paper
Geology of the Northwest African Continental Margin

Abstract

The most importantconstructional phases of the mature passive West Saharan continental margin involved the buildup of a thick Jurassic carbonate platform, overwhelmed by up to 4 km of Early Cretaceous Wealden-type deltaic sediments. Rollover structures between antithetic growth faults produced the “lower slope anticline” and a convex Cretaceous paleoslope. We recognized no salt diapirs, but local piercement structures probably caused by mobilized Early Cretaceous prodeltaic shale. During late Cretaceous to Tertiary times the continental slope was hardly prograded. During Tertiary (especially Neogene) times the depocenter shifted to the upper rise.

Evidence from seismic profiles correlated with DSDP, commercial well, dredge, and land geological data allow the differentiation of the complex, multi-phase mid-Cretaceous to Cenozoic history ofslope destruction. At the following times slope canyons were excavated and regional unconformities formed: (1) mid-Cretaceous (upper slope; precursor valleys); (2) early Senonian; (3) Paleocene (pronounced unconformity); (4) late Eocene (local); (5) mid- to late Oligocene (major lower slope erosion; up to 100 M.Y. hiatus; major canyon cutting phase);(6) mid- to late Miocene (local); (7) Pliocene (shelf and upper slope; deeply incised Uad Craa Channel); (8) late Pleistocene (canyon reactivation, slope gullies, and incisions).

Some of these accentuated erosional phases (especially 5 and 8) can be correlated with intensified Atlantic bottom water circulation from climatic cooling during periods of exceptionally low sea level causing hiatuses on the shelf and increased mass wasting at the slope (Fig.10). A very large sediment volume (7,500 — 15,000 km3 off Cape Bojador) was removed during the mid-Tertiary sculpturing of the lower slope, probably by enhanced contour currents (pre-AABW?) and associated gravitative mass transport. In total 900 km3 of sediments were excavated by slope canyons, most of which do not extend to the shelfbreak. Both processes caused a gradual retreat of the base-of-slope line and accentuated the convex shape of the slope in this area.

During early to mid-Miocene times, massive slope failure led to thegravitative deposition of olistostromes, debris flows, turbidites and slumps on the oversteepened lowermost paleoslope, until an equilibrium gradient was achieved (Figs. 11,12). During the late Pleistocene the same processes caused giant translational slides with up to > 100 m high slide scars (Figs. 1, 8). The triggering of these massive slides at this very time and setting (passive margin, low gradient and sedimentation rates) is still enigmatic.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Almagor G, Wiseman G (1977) Analysis of submarine slumping in the continental slope off the southern coast of Israel. Mar Geotechn 2: 349–388

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arthur MA, von Rad U (1979) Early Neogene base-of-slope sedimentation at Site 397: sequential evolution of gravitative mass transport processes and redeposition along the Northwest African passive margin. In: Ryan WBF, von Rad U et al. Init Repts Deep Sea Drilling Project 47 (1): 603–639

    Google Scholar 

  • Arthur MA, von Rad U, Cornford C, McCoy FC, Sarnthein, M (1979) Evolution and sedimentary history of the Cape Bojador continental margin, Northwestern Africa. In: Ryan WBF, von Rad U, et al. Init Repts Deep Sea Drilling Project 47 (1): 773–816

    Google Scholar 

  • AUXINI (Departamento de Investigaciones Petroliferas de AUXINI, 1969 ) Correlacion estratigraphica de los sondeos perforados en el Sahara espanol. Bol Geol Minero, Madrid 83: 235–251

    Google Scholar 

  • Bergren WA, Hollister CD (1974) Paleogeography and the history of circulation in the Atlantic region. In: Hay WW (ed) Studies in Paleooceanography. Soc Econ Petrol Min Spec Publ 20: 126–186

    Google Scholar 

  • Bruce CH (1973) Pressured shale and related sediment deformation: Mechanism for development of regional contemporaneous faults. Am Assoc Petrol Geol Bull 57 (5): 878–886

    Google Scholar 

  • Chamley H (1979) North Atlantic clay sedimentation and paleoen–vironment since late Jurassic. In: Talwani M et al (eds) Deep Drilling results in the Atlantic Ocean: continental margins and paleoenvironment. M. Ewing Ser 3, Am Geophys Union, Washington DC; pp 342–361

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Choubert G, Faure-Muret A, Sougy J (1968) Carte tectonique international de I’Afrique 1: 5,000 000, Sheet 1. Assoc Afr Geol Surv, UNESCO, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • Coleman JM, Garrison LE (1977) Geological aspects of marine slope stability, northwestern Gulf of Mexico. Mar Geotechn 2: 9–44

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Connan J (1974) Time-temperature relation in oil genesis. Am Assoc Petrol Geol Bull 58: 2516–2521

    Google Scholar 

  • CONOCO (1969) Spansah 51A-1, offshore Spanish Sahara. Final Report by Continental Oil Company of Spain, Spanish Gulf Oil Company, Compania Espanol de Petroleas S.A. Exploration Department, unpublished report and logs

    Google Scholar 

  • Diester-Haass L (1979) DSDP Site 397: climatological, sedimentolo gical, and oceanographic changes in the Neogene autochthonous sequence. In: von Rad U, Ryan WBF et al Init Repts Deep Sea Drilling Project 47 (1): 647–670

    Google Scholar 

  • Dingle RV (1980) Large allochthonous sediment masses and their role in the construction of the continental slope and rise off southwestern Africa. Mar Geol 37: 333–354

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Einsele G, von Rad U (1979) Facies and paleoenvironment of Early Cretaceous sediments in DSDP Site 397 and in the Aaiun Basin (NW Africa). In: von Rad U, Ryan WBF et al., Init Repts Deep Sea Drilling Project 47 (1): 559–577

    Google Scholar 

  • Embley RW (1976) New evidence for occurrence of debris flow deposits in the deep sea. Geology 4: 371–374

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Embley RW, Jacobi RD (1977) Distribution and morphology of large submarine sediment slides and slumps on Atlantic continental margins. In: Richards AF (ed) Marine slope stability. Mar Geotechn 2:205–228

    Google Scholar 

  • Egbogah EO, Lambert-Aikhionbare DO (1980) Possible new oil potentials of the Niger delta. Oil Gas J 78 (n 15): 176–184

    Google Scholar 

  • Fischer AG, Arthur MA (1977) Secular variations in the pelagic realm. In: Cook HE, Enos P (eds) Deep water carbonate environments, Soc Econ Paleont Min Spec Publ 25: 19–50

    Google Scholar 

  • Guieu G (1976) Les bassins a evaporites de la marge ouest- africaine du Maroc a l’Angola. Dep Geol Univ Dakar Rep no 32

    Google Scholar 

  • Hinz K (1979) Seismic sequences of Cape Bojador, Northwest Africa. In: von Rad U, Ryan WBF et al., Init Repts Deep Sea Drilling Project 47 (1): 485–489

    Google Scholar 

  • Hinz K, Seibold E, Wissmann G (1974) Continental slope anticline and unconformities off West Africa. “Meteor” Forsch Ergebn C 17: 67–73

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoskins H, Rogers CU, Woo AO (1974) Data report of oblique reflection-refraction radiosonobuoy profiles on the African Atlantic continental margin (R.V. ATLANTIS II cruise 67 and 75). Woods Hole Ocean Inst Rep 74–34: 40 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Kennett JP (1977) Cenozoic evolution of Antarctic glaciation, the circum-Antarctic Ocean and their impact on global paleooceanography. J Geophys Res 82: 3843–3860

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lancelot Y, Seibold E (1978) The evolution of the central northeastern Atlantic-Summary of results of DSDP Leg 41. In: Lancelot Y, Seibold E et al., Init Repts Deep Sea Drilling Project 41: 1215–1245

    Google Scholar 

  • Lancelot Y, Seibold E et al (1978), Initial Reports of the Deep Sea Drilling Project, vol 41. U.S. Government Printing Off Washington, 1259 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Lancelot Y, Winterer EL (1980) Evolution of the Moroccan oceanic basin and adjacent continental margin — a synthesis. In: Lancelot Y, Winterer EL et al Init Repts Deep Sea Drilling Project 50: 801–833

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Lehner P, de Ruiter PAD (1977) Structural history of the Atlantic margin of Africa, Am Assoc Petrol Geol Bull 61: 961–981

    Google Scholar 

  • Lowrie A, Escowitz E (1969) Kane 9: global ocean floor and research data series. US Government Printing Office Washington (DC) 1: 976 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Mac Ilvaine JC, Ross DA (1979) Sedimentary processes on the continental slope of New England. J Sedim. Petrol 49 (2): 563–574

    Google Scholar 

  • McCoy FW, Zimmerman HB (1977) A history of sediment lithofacies in the South Atlantic Ocean. In: Supko PR, PerchNielsen K et al. Init Repts Deep Sea Drilling Project 39: 1047–1080

    Google Scholar 

  • McDougall I, Schmincke HU (1977) Geochronology of Gran Canaria, Canary Islands: age of shield building volcanism and other magmatic phases, Bull Volcanol 40: 1–21

    Google Scholar 

  • McGregor B (1978) Seismic reflection profiles of the United-States east coast continental margin, Natl Ocean At Agency Tech Rep ERL 398–AOML 28: 17 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitchum Jr RM, Vail PR (1977) Seismic stratigraphic interpretation procedure. In: Vail PR et al (eds), Seismic stratigraphy and global changes of sea level, Am Assoc Petrol Geol Mem 26: 135–144

    Google Scholar 

  • Nairn EM, Noltimier HC, Nairn B (1980) Surface magnetic survey of the Souss Basin, southwestern Marocco: evaluation of the tectonic role postulated for the Agadir and Tarfaya Fault Zones and the South Atlas Flexure. Tectonophysics 64: 235–248

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Querol R (1966) Regional geology of the Spanish Sahara. In: Reyre D (ed) Sedimentary basins of the African coast; Symposium, part 1, Atlantic coast. Assoc Afr Geol Surv UNESCO: 27–39

    Google Scholar 

  • Pitman III WC (1978) Relationship between eustacy and stratigraphic sequences of passive margins. Geol Soc Am Bull 89: 1389–1403

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ratschiller LK (1970) Lithostratigraphy of the northern Spanish Saharan. Mem Mus Tridentino Sci Trento 18 (1): 1–80

    Google Scholar 

  • Robertson AHF, Stillman CJ (1979) Late Mesozoic sedimentary rocks of Fuerteventura, Canary Islands: implications for West African continental margin evolution. J Geol Soc London 136: 47–60

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rona PA (1970) Comparison of continental margins of eastern North America at Cape Hatteras and northwestern Africa at Cap Blanc. Am Assoc Petrol Geol Bull 54: 129–157

    Google Scholar 

  • Rust U, Wienecke F (1973) Bathymetrische und geomorphologische Bearbeitung von submarinen “Einschnitten” im Seegebiet vor Westafrika. Ein methodischer Versuch. Munchner Geogr Abh Geogr Inst Univ Munchen 9: 53–67

    Google Scholar 

  • Ryan WBF, Cita MB, Miller EL, Hanselmann D, Nesteroff WD, Hecker B, Nibbelink M (1978) Bedrock geology in New England submarine canyons. Oceanol Acta 1 (2): 233–254

    Google Scholar 

  • Sarnthein M, Diester-Haass L (1977) Eolian sand turbidites off Northwest–Africa. J Sediment Petr 47: 868–890

    Google Scholar 

  • Schlager W (1980) Mesozoic calciturbidites in Deep Sea Drilling Project Hole 416A: recognition of a drownwed carbonate platform. In: Lancelot Y, Winterer EL et al Init Repts Deep Sea Drilling Project 50: 733–749

    Google Scholar 

  • Schlee JS, Dillon WP, Grow JA (1979) Structure of the continental slope off the eastern United States. In: Doyle LJ, Pilkey OH (eds) Geology of continental slopes, Soc Econ Paleont Min Spec Publ 27: 95–117

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmincke HU (1976) The geology of the Canary Islands. In: Kunkel G (ed) Biogeography and ecology in the Canary Islands, W.Junk, The Hague pp 67–184

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Schmincke HU, von Rad U (1979) Neogene evolution of Canary Island volcanism inferred from ash layers and volcaniclastic sandstones of DSDP Site 397 (Leg 47A). In: von Rad U, Ryan WBF et al., Init Repts Deep Sea Drilling Project 47 (1): 703–725

    Google Scholar 

  • Seibold E (1972) Cruise 25/1971 of R.V. “Meteor”: continental margin of West Africa General report and preliminary results. “Meteor” Forsch Ergebn C 10: 17–38

    Google Scholar 

  • Seibold E, Hinz K (1974) Continental slope construction and destruction, West Africa. In: Burk CA, Drake CL (eds) The geology of continental margins. Springer New York Heidelberg Berlin, pp 179–196

    Google Scholar 

  • Seibold E, Hinz K (1976) German cruises to the continental margin of North West Africa in 1975: General reports and preliminary results from “Valdivia” 10 and “Meteor” 39. “Meteor” Forsch Ergebn C 25: 47–80

    Google Scholar 

  • Shepard FP (1973) Submarine geology, 3rd edn Harper & Row New York, 517 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Shepard FP, Dill RF (1966) Submarine canyons and other sea valleys. Rand McNalley & Co Chicago, 381 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Summerhayes CP, Bornhold BD, Embley RW (1979) Surficial slides and slumps on the continental slope and rise of South West Africa: a reconnaissance study. Mar Geol 31: 265–277

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Summmerhayes CP, Milliman JD, Briggs SR, Bee AG, Hogan C (1976) Northwest African shelf sediments: influence of climate and sedimentary processes. J Geol 84: 277–300

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Summerhayes CP, Nutter AH, Tooms JS (1971) Geological structure and development of the continental margin of Northwest Africa. Mar Geol 11: 1–25

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tucholke BE, Mountain GS (1979) Seismic stratigraphy, lithostratigraphy and paleosedimentation patterns in the North American Basin. In: Talwani M et al (eds) Deep Drilling results in the Atlantic Ocean: continental margins and paleoenvironment, M Ewing Ser 3. Am Geophys Union: 59–86

    Google Scholar 

  • Uchupi E, Emery KO, Bowin CO, Phillips JO (1976) Continental margin off Western Africa. Am Assoc Petrol Geol Bull 60: 809–878

    Google Scholar 

  • Vail PR, Mitchum Jr RM, Thompson III S (1977) Global cycles of relative changes of sea level. In: Vail PR et al (eds) Seismic stratigraphy and global changes of sea level Am Assoc Petrol Geol Mem 26: 83–98

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Andel T, Thiede J, Sclater JG, Hay WW (1978) Depositional history of the South Atlantic Ocean during the last 125 m.y. J Geol 85: 651–698

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • von Rad U, Arthur MA (1979) Geody– namic, sedimentary, and volcanic evolution of the Cape Bojador continental margin (NW Africa). In: Talwani M et al (eds) Deep drilling results in the Atlantic Ocean: Continental margins and paleoenvironment, M Ewing Ser 3, Am Geophys Union: 187–203

    Google Scholar 

  • von Rad U, Cepek P, von Stackelberg U, Wissmann G, Zobel B (1979) Cretaceous and Tertiary sediments from the Northwest African slope (dredges and cores supplementing DSDP results). Mar Geol 29: 273–312

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • von Rad U, Einsele G (1980) Mesozoic-Cainozoic subsidence history and paleobathymetry of the northwest African continental margin (Aaiun Basin to DSDP Site 397). Phil Trans Royal Soc London Ser A 294: 37–50

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • von Rad U, Ryan WBF et al (1979) Initial Reports of the Deep Sea Drilling Project, 47 (1): 835 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • von Stackelberg U, von Rad U, Zobel B (1979) Asymmetric sedimentation around Great Meteor Sea-mount ( North Atlantic ). Mar Geol 33: 117–132

    Google Scholar 

  • Watkins JS, Hoppe KW (1979) Seismic reflection reconnaissance of the Atlantic margin of Morocco. In: Talwani M et al (eds) Deep drilling results in the Atlantic Ocean: continental margins and paleoenvironment, M Ewing Ser 3; Am Geophys Union: 205–217

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Wiedmann J, Butt A, Einsele G (1978) Vergleich von marokkanischen Kreide-Kustenaufschlussen und Tiefseebohrungen (DSDP): Stratigraphie, Palaoenvironment und Subsidenz an einem passiven Kontinentalrand. Geol Rundschau 67 (2): 454–508

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wissmann G (1979) Cape Bojador slope, an example for potential pitfalls in seismic interpretation without the information of outer margin drilling. In: von Rad U, Ryan WBF et al Init Repts Deep Sea Drilling Project 47 (1): 491–499

    Google Scholar 

  • Wissmann G, von Rad U (in press) Morphologie und Struktur der submarinen Canyons am Kontinentalhang vor der West — Sahara (NW Afrika). “Meteor” Forsch Ergebn Reihe C

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften and Rohstoffe, Stilleweg 2, 3000, Hannover 51, Germany

    Ulrich von Rad & Gerd Wissmann

Authors
  1. Ulrich von Rad
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Gerd Wissmann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe, Stilleweg 2, 3000, Hannover 51, Germany

    Ulrich von Rad  & Karl Hinz  & 

  2. Geologisch-Paläontologisches Institut der Universität, Olshausenstraße 40/60, 2300, Kiel, Germany

    Michael Sarnthein  & Eugen Seibold  & 

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1982 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this paper

Cite this paper

von Rad, U., Wissmann, G. (1982). Cretaceous-Cenozoic History of the West Saharan Continental Margin (NW Africa): Development, Destruction and Gravitational Sedimentation. In: von Rad, U., Hinz, K., Sarnthein, M., Seibold, E. (eds) Geology of the Northwest African Continental Margin. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-68409-8_7

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-68409-8_7

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-68411-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-68409-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation