The geology of an area west of Welkom, O.F.S. : degree blocks 2825A and B and 2826A
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Date
1980-10
Authors
Behounek, Norbert Josef
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
Rocks present in thé mapped area range from
Early Precambrian (Easement granite) to the most recent
deposits of aeolian sands, alluvium, gravel and calcrete.
Outcrops of Ventersdorp rocks are scarce and
widely scattered. Nevertheless, agglomerates and felsic
lavas of the Makwassie Quartz Porphyry Formation, fanglomerates,
quartzites, volcanic breccias, tuff, mafic massive
lavas and pillow lavas of the Rietgat Formation, quartzites
of the Bothaville Formation and plateau lavas of the Allanridge
formation could be distinguished and studied. The
latter were all grouped together in accordance with the
lithostratigraphic classification of Winter (1976) because
of the proximity to his type area.
Overlying the Ventersdorp Supergroup are shales
and/ or tillite of the Karoo Sequence. Bore holes drilled
to the east (outside) of the mapped area proved that
Dwyka glacial deposits are preserved in pre-Karoo valleys
and/ or valleys excavated through ice movement. Here, the
Dwyka formation consists of tillite, varved shales and
a glacio-fluvial unit, viz. the sandstone-siltstone-shale
unit. In the western sector of the mapped area. Ventersdorp
rocks are directly overlain by black, micaceous shales of
the Ecca Group (Prince Albert Formation). The Whitehill
Formation is probably not present as one continuous layer
over the whole of the mapped area, and only occurs in a
few isolated pockets. As a result the Prince Albert Formation is in most cases overlain by grey shales of the Tierberg formation which grades from shales and mudstones (marine deposits) upwards into rhymic layers of shales and sandstones (deltaic deposits).
The transitional sone between the Ecca Group (Tierberg formation) and the overlying Beaufort group is exposed on the farm Basberg 416. The Beaufort group in this area shows the typical features of a fluvial deposit, viz. course-grained and channel-axis facies which laterally grade into finer grained and thin-bedded channelmarginal facies and levee mudstone deposits on the flood plain of a braided river. Intrusive rocks consist of post-Karoo dolerites (sills and dykes) and the kimberlite intrusions at Rovic Diamond Mines.
Nodular and laminated calcrete deposits are the most abundant calcrete deposits in the area under investigation. Aeolian sands cover large tracts of this area and occur mainly as Aeolian sheet deposits buut also as dunes of variable magnitude.
The Vaal River Gravels and the alluvial sands and silts of the Vet and Sand Rivers are the most significant alluvial deposits present in the mapped area.
Pans of variable shapes and sizes have iriginated through the erosion of paleo river channels by subsequent wind action.
Description
Keywords
Geology -- South Africa -- Welkom, Geology, Dissertation (M.Sc. (Geology))--University of the Free State, 1980