Publications

Since 1995 different seismic measurements were carried out by the seismic groups of GFZ (GeoForschungsZentrum) Potsdam, AWI (Alfred Wegner Institut) Bremerhaven and BGR (Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe) Hannover to reveal structural features on a lithosperical scale. The main objectives were to understand processes in connection with the continental break-up and related magmatic phenomena along the coast from Cape Cross /Namibia) down to Kotzerus (RSA) as well as single predominant structures like the Messum crater (Namibia) or the Beatty magnetic anomaly (BMA). This feature was part of investigations in the framework of the INKAN ye AFRICA project with the main goal to understand the processes related to crustal accretion as well as the continental break-up in region from the Agulhas Plateau – Cape Fold Belt – Karoo Province. The methods used were seismic wide angle measurements and near vertical reflection. The first ones were done in cooperation with offshore seismic projects carried out by AWI and BGR, respectively. During these research activities new methodical approaches were developed. The results from the onshore-offshore profiles led to new insights with respect to the composition of the lower crust in the transition zone between Ocean and Continent. The process of break-up was evidently accompanied by a large underplating of mafic material in the lower crust. The seismic near vertical measurements revealed detailed images of the subsurface in the Brandberg region (Namibia) and north of Prince Albert (RSA/BMA). In addition to the image of the structure of the Messum crater (as an example of a magmatic ring complex) the correct spatial distribution of different rock types could be established using a newly developed method of remapping. Results presented here focus mainly on data recorded on land.

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Schulze, A.; Bauer, K.; Ryberg, T.; Stankiewicz, J.; Weber, M.; Gohl, K.; Schinkel, J.; Neben, S. (2007): Seismic Investigations in Namibia and RSA. 10th SAGA Biennial Technical Meeting and Exhibition (Wild Coast Sun, South Africa 2007).