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    1 Asrat Et Al RAES 2001

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    Ethiopia Hagere

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    Afric Geoscience Review, Vol. 8, No, 3,7p.71-288, 2001, Pine in France The Precambrian Geology of Ethiopia: a review A. Asear'*, P. Barsey! and G, Gueves? ‘CRPG-CNRS, 15, rue Notre-Dame des Pauvtes, $4501 Vandauvre-ts Nancy Cedes, France SCNRS-UMR 5563 LMTG, Univers P. Sabatier, 38, ruc des 36-Pons, 31400 Toulouse, France (Fist received 4 May, 2001; modified version accepted 16 July, 2001) Abstract -The Precambrian basement of Ethiopia exposed in four geographically separate zones has been traditionally lasified into three stratigraphic units: the Lower Complex, the Middle ‘Complex and the Upper Complex. Recent geochronologcal, tbermachronological,peachestical and lithotectoni data, however, revealed that this three-fold clasiication ofthe Precambian basement of Eihiopa is highly oversimplified and even possibly wrong. Based on a thorough review of existing data to date on the Ethiopian basement, tishereproposed.o abandon this thre fold stratigraphy, raifyng former proposals based on local studies. Moreover, theres confusion and lide agreement inte application ofthe terms Pan-Aricanorogeay, Arabian Nebian Shield (ANS) and Mozambique Belt (MB) to the Ethiopian Basement. Compilation and review of ‘existing data on magmatic rocks (panicularly granitoid) indicate that the MB and the ANS correspond to contemporaneous evens ofthe Pan-African Orogeny, at east in Ethiopia, but with difference in their tectonic evolution and degree of later denudation Key words: Ethiopia, Pan-Aftican, Arabian-Nubian Shield, Mozambique Belt, granites 1117-370x/2001 $19.00 + 000 (©2001 Rock View Lat INTRODUCTION ‘The Precambrian geology of Ethiopia, although poorly understood, i of great interest because two major structures of Northeast Africa and Arabia meet in Ethiopia (Fig. 1): the Arabian-Nubian Shield and the Mozambique Belt (Kazmin et al., 1978; Vail, 1976; Bonavia & Chrowicz, 199% etc). The Precambrian racks are exposed in the peripheral pars of the country: in the North (Fig. 2), inthe West and Southwest (Figs 3 and 4), inthe South (Fig. $) and inthe East (Fig. 6). They comprise a wide variety of voleano-sedimentary and plutonic rocks metamorphosed to varying ‘degrees from greenschist- to amphibolite-facies and locally granulite-facies conditions (Kazmin, 1971), They are intruded by several generations of eranitoids. ‘Various studies have been conducted on the ‘basement rocks of Ethiopia (Kazmin(1971, 19723, 1972b, 1975, 1978); Kazmin et al. (1978); Davidson (1983); Vail (1976, 1983, 1985); de Wit ‘& Chewaka (1981); Berhe (1990); Ayalew (1988); Ayalew et al, (1990); Teklay et al. (1998); mm ‘Tadesse (1997); Tadesse eral (1999, 2000); Alene (1991); Alene & Barker (1993); Alemu (1998); Asrat (1997) 0 cite only a few. There seems to be confusion and litle agreement in the application of the tems Arabian-Nubian Shield (ANS), Mozambique Belt (MB), and Pan-African orogeny to the Precambrian terrains of Ethiopia, For instance, the Mozambique Belt in southem Ethiopia is considered by Ayalew eral. (1990) t0 be different from the Pan-African complexes of the westem Ethiopian shield, whereas others consider the same MB to be part of the Pan- African Orogeny (Alene & Barker, 1993). The ANS, onthe other hand, isconsidered tobe formed by northward lateral expulsion in a post-coli- sional regime (Burke & Sengor, 1986; Bonavia & Chorowiez, 1993) ‘The purpose of this review is to give a syn- thesis on the Ethiopian basement based on exist- ing data with specific reference to the regional significance of the granitic magmatism. This review indicates that the basement stratigraphy in ‘commion use must be revised and proposes a new way for discussing the relationships of the ‘Arabian-Nubian Shield and Mozambique Belt. 2m A. Asn. Baroy nd, Glas —kz) t20"N i0"N, TL] PRANEROZOIG COVER ARABIAN-NUBIAN, SHIELD (ANS) ZZ] Mozamaique 2 (8) REWORKED PRE-PAN- E || aerican crust PAN-AFRICAN OPHIOLITIC ROCKS ADDIS ABABA Fie ETHIOPIA. ADOLA Fig. 1, Distsbution of uae main lidhowctonic units in Eviopia and the surrounding region, ‘modified aftr Vail (1983). Also shown isthe lation of maps of figures 210 6. STRATIGRAPHY AND AGE Kazmin's stratigraphie model Kazmin (1971, 1975), who was the first to address the Ethiopian basement in some detail, gave a three-fold division based solely on litho- logical and structural mapping. His stratigraphic ‘model has been in common use to date, and is given as follows: (1) the Lower Complex (considered to be ‘Archaean) comprises various gneisses and mig- ‘atites, mainly of granitic composition, and was supposed to represent the oldest cratonic base- ‘ment in the country. The rocks consist mainly of biotite-and amphibole-bearing gneisses with minor quartzofeldspathic granitic gneisses, calcsilicate rocks and amphibolites that recrystallised under conditions reaching the amphibolite facies. and locally the granulite facies (pyroxene and amphi- bole-pyroxene gneisses), They form broad, gently dipping synforms and antiforms. The Lower complex, believed to be # direct northward conti- huation of the Mozambique Belt (Vail, 1976; Kazmin er al., 1978), occurs in the South and Southwest (Konso, Alghe, Awata and Yavelo nesses), in the West (Baro and Alghe gneisses) and partially inthe East (high-grade gneisses and migmatites). Minor patches of undifferentiated ‘gneisses are also reported in the North (Garland, 1980. 2) the Middle Complex (considered to be Lower to Middle Proterozoic) is represented by psammi- tic and peltic metasediments (biotite or amphi- ‘The Precambrian Geslogy of Ethiopia a eiew 2 be semeneLe SESE wore cae foes, ‘Scere Ti Poe-conie crane [use oostiercGannt oman rant rete Tine Toit (sto morte ses Terai {Aber Todesse ca 183) bole schists), quarizites and marbles which formed an ancient cover over the granite-gneiss ‘complex. Primary sedimentary structures such as cross-bedding are well preserved and the meta- ‘morphism has never exceeded amphibolite facies conditions. The Middle Complex is mapped only in he South, Adota zone (Wadera Group) and in the East (Boye Group): ) the Upper Complex (considered to be Upper Proterozoic to Lower Paleozoic) is a very thick 100 km ri [Leeson comets Fig. 2.Te None mewamorphic ein. Modified after Asat “Arabian Nubian Shiokd (1997 EIGS (1997) and Tusess etl (1999). Czeled numbers tian represent he tctono-svaigrapbic block i the Axum area according to Tadesse er al_(1999): 1. Sheraro Block molasses, 2. Adi Hageray Block metevoleanics and metasediments, 3, Zager maficulvamafic Belt, 4. Adi Nebrid Block meta volcanics and metasediments, 5. Central Sweep Zone, 6. Chita Block metaseiments, 7. aro-tekl ultramafic belt and Bitza sgabbeoic complex, 8 Adwa Block metavoleanics and meta- sediments, 9, Maikenetal Block metasedments ‘younger succession reaching up to 3500-5000 m in the Nonh (Beyth, 1972; Garland, 1980). It is composed of low-grade (greenschist facies, ocal- ly Tow amphibolite facies) tightly folded rocks including ophiolitic assemblages (amphibolite, chlorite-actinolite schists), metavolcanics and pelitic (graphitic schists, phyllites) clastic (meta- sandstone, metaconglomeraie tc.) and carbonate metasediments with he primary sedimentary struc- tures commonly well-preserved (Fioriet al, 1988; Beyth, 1972; Garland, 1980). The Upper Complex rocks occur in the South, Adola zone (Adola Group and Kadjimiti beds), in the West (Birbir Group), in the East Soka Group) and in the North (CTsaliet group, Tembien group and other Younger metasediments) Intrusive Suites consisting of several genera- tions of plutonic bodies intrude the Precambrian basement, Mafic and ultramafic intrusives be- longing to the ophiolitic sequence are especially Lutencic arts [Ga] moses ansne FFT] patente samt and — er Telomenane Hi iwerentes pert ten Fig. 3. The Wester metamorphic terrain (modified after Tefera & Bethe, 1979 and EIGS, 1997). “The Prcanbeen Gesogy of Eola areview 25 "Akobo Domain lvoe? ef) | Harhmar! Domain Tee corres “Arabian Nubian Shiels iter vases Jasob oman DB sreconecrms lowes [Bi eweser Tonite Bloom Bi bstc uremic see Mozarue Bet Escenas oatans Casestormecae ISSA etre frames ayia es Sta, lnm SRS eon Diteracr ree TRtserrat ssn [Boonen str er Don, 10) Fig. 4. The Southwestern metamorphic terrain (nodifed after Davidson, 1983) and EIGS, 1997) ‘common in the Upper Complex. The most con- spicuous examples are the ultramafic melange in nonhwestem Tigrai (Tadesse, 1997; Tadesse et al, 1999) (Fig 2), dunites with minor pyroxenites and peridotites of the Birbir basin, in westem Ethiopia (Augustithis, 1965; Getahun, 1985; Ayalew et al, 1990) (Fig. 3); gabbro and ultrama fic suites in southwestem Ethiopia (Davidson, 1983) (Fig. 4); and the serpentinites and tale schists of Kenticha, the metagabbros, amphi- bolites and tale-iremolite-actinolite schists of ‘Adola, in southem Ethiopia and Moyale (Fiori et al, 1988; Alene & Barker, 1993; Bonavia & Chorowicz, 1993; Tolossa et al, 1991) (Fig. 5). Granitoids considered to be pre-, sym, late» and postectonic, and accompanied by pegmatites, aplites, quartz porphyry dikes and quartz veins are ‘widely exposed in all the metamorphic terrains igs 2 to 6). The granitoid suites have variable ‘composition, texture and structure and ages ex- tending from about 885 Ma to 426 Ma (Table 1). 276 ‘A Aut P Batey and, Gizes Vigan Lo rranenaa crocs ‘Arabian Nubian Shield rao a Toate [Boone Set ee es Fig. 5. The Southem metamorphic terrain (modified after Adola Gold Exploration Project, 198) and EIGS, 1997). “The Prcambrian Geology of Ethiopia: a eview am” ‘Table 1. Compilation of isotope ages of the Ethiopian basement rocks. Terran Tocality Rock Method | Age Oa) Source [Northern Zale, Ervea Micaichist [Ars] [986 Fraser, 1970 Motamorphic [Granite Kari | 685 ‘Terrain [Hauzicn,Tigral [Granite K-Ar(By) [583216 | Garland, 1980 [Geanite KAr(B) [1427 BAGi Aro, Adiga, [Granodiorite [K-Ar(B) [82422 gra (Granodiorite | K-Ar(B) [370431 R. Mereb, Tigra [Granodiorite | K-Az(b [9044 | illereral, 1867 SaganeitEriues | Orsodionte | K-Ar(Bi) [67025 Negath. Tigra | Redgranite —JArAr (Ms) 663.72 180. [Mock eral, 1099 Arar) fe227s137 ArAn(Kis) [597.8496 Tonal APAr(B) [66582 130 JArAr(BO [647 2213.0, ‘Ava, Tigai—_[Leucogeeiss —f APAF(KE) — 5100269- 7192.82128 Meaganodione [APAr(BO [73662128 Red Granite [AnAr(B) [600.3610.7 AvAr(Kts) [56524100 [Geanodionte Yasar [792572 | Atemu, 1998 (Granodiorite [Arar (BY [7453+ 4 ‘Grate RbSrWR) [63320 ‘Graitid [Sm-Nd WR) [765+33 | Tadesse eral, 2000 Grits fTh-U-Pb Zm)_ [75750 Granitoid FTh-U:Pb Zen) [80621 Ganiid [Sm-Na WR) [793451 Granite Rb-Sr (WR) — [550435 Ganite Rb-Se(WR) | 555032 Wecra (Quart Gort [UPD Zn) | 8284972 | Ayatew eral 1990 Metamorphic (Quart donte | RESe (WR) [632=8 Terrain ‘Quanz diorte | Rb-Se(B) [680,543,406 Goma. itbabar — [Granodionte —_[U-Po@m) [1822 ‘Granodiorite | RE-Se (WR) Biyo, Gabella | Metaleyeogranie [U-Pb Zn) ‘Ma, Gambella [Granite U-Pb Zn) Gane Rb-Sr (WR) ‘Bonga, Gamiolla [Quan mnzonte [U-Pb (Zim) ‘Granite RBS: WY Westai Debs [Leveogrante [Ar Arde) Mosker at 1999 Markos. Gojiam AD-ALCKis) ‘Nosh of Nekemie, PAugea gneiss [Ar Ar(BD Wollees WR= Whole Rock, 2m Zircon, Ms= Muscovie,Bt= Biot, Hblsorblende, Kfe= K-ekispns Further elaborating their three-fold stratigra- phy, Kazmin eral. (1978) suggested the following ‘evolutionary history based on acombined geosyn-

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