Vereenvoudigde Geologie van Suid Afrika / Simplified Geology of South Africa 134

8
VEREENVOUDIGDE GEOLOGIE VAN SUID AFRIKA / SIMPLIFIED GEOLOGY
OF SOUTH AFRICA

TEEN DIE EINDE VAN DIE HOOFSTUK, BEHOORT U IN STAAT TE WEES OM… / BY THE END
OF THIS CHAPTER, YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO…

• al die onderstaande inligting van die verskillende stratigrafiese eenhede van Suid-
Afrika te ken en identifiseer: / Know identify all the information below of the
stratigraphic units of South Africa:
− Name / Names
− Beskrywing van hul vorming / Description of their formation
− Die hoof gesteente tipes van elke eenheid / Major rock types of each unit
− Numeriese ouderdomme van elke eenheid / Numeric ages of each unit
− Geografiese ligging van elke eenheid op ‘n geologiese kaart van Suid Afrika
(soos weergegee in the aanlyn klas video aanbieding) / Geographic location of
each unit on a geologic map of South Africa (as provided in the online class
video presentation).

8.1 Barberton Supergroep / Barberton Supergroup

Bestaan uit ‘n gelaagde hoop van vulkaniese en sedimentêre gesteentes wat ongeveer 20 km
dik is. Dié is omring deur ‘n see van granodioriet en granite batoliete (Fig. 8-1) / Consist of a
layered pile of volcanic and sedimentary rocks perhaps 20 km thick. This is enveloped in a sea
of granodiorite and granite batholiths (Fig. 8-1).
Die oudste gesteentes in die Barberton Supergroep bestaan uit ‘n staple van vulkaniese
gesteentes ongeveer 7km dik. Dit vorm die onderste deel van die Onverwacht Groep, een
van die drie hoof onderafdelings van die Barberton Supergroep, die ander twee is die grootliks
sedimentêre Fig Tree en Moodies Groepe (Fig. 8-2) / The oldest rocks in the Barberton
Supergroup consist of a stack of volcanic rocks approximately 7km thick. This forms the lower
part of the Onverwacht Group, one to the three major divisions of the Barberton Supergroup,
the other two being the largely sedimentary Fig Tree and Moodies Groups (Fig. 8-2).

8.2 Dominion Groep / Dominion Group

Die vroegste akkumulasie van gesteentes op die graniet vloer bestaan uit kwartsiete met
minder konglomeraat lae wat oorlê word deur vulkaniese gesteentes / The earliest
accumulation of rocks on the granite basement consist of quartzites with minor conglomerate
layers overlain by volcanic rocks.

134
Vereenvoudigde Geologie van Suid Afrika / Simplified Geology of South Africa 135

Fig. 8-1: ‘n Geologie kaart van

die gesteentes van die
Barberton streek. Die
gesteentes verteenwoordig die
beste-bewaarde voorbeeld van
die aarde se oudste oseaniese
en kontinentale kors. Hierdie
kors was gevorm tussen 3600 en
3000 miljoen jaar gelede.
Gesteentes wat die vroeë
oseaniese kors opmaak het 'n
kenmerklike groen kleur. Die
lineêre fragmente van hierdie
gesteentes, soos getipeer word
deur die Barberton streek, is
bekend as Groensteen gordels.
Al was die gesteentes oor-
spronklik horisontaal, het die
lae gevou op hulself, en die
oudste gesteentes is nou die
buitenste dele van die gordel, terwyl die jonger gesteentes in die kern voorkom. Hierdie gesteentes is ingedring
deur groot liggame van granodioriet (bv. die Kaap Valley plutoon) en graniet (die Nelspruit graniet Batoliet) / A
geological map showing the rocks of the Barberton region represent the best-preserved example of the Earth’s
ancient oceanic and continental crust. This crust formed between 3600 and 3000 million years ago. Rocks
forming the early oceanic crust have a distinctive green colour. The linear fragments of these rocks, as typified
by the Barberton region, are known as greenstone belts. Although originally horizontal, the layers have been
folded on themselves, and the oldest now from the outer parts of the belt, while the younger rocks lei in the
core. These rocks have been intruded by large bodies of granodiorite (e.g. the kaap Valley pluton) and granite
(the Nelspruit granite batholith) (After McCarthy and Rubidge, 2005).

Fig. 8-2: Die gelaagde gesteentes wat die Barberton groensteen gordel
vorm is onderverdeel in diskrete pakkette. Die oudste (laagste) pakket is
bekend as die Onverwacht Groep, en bestaan uit twee dele. Die onderste
deel is saamgestel uit ‘n vulkaniese gesteente, bekend as Komatiïet en
verteenwoordig voormalige oseaniese kors. Dit word geskei van die
boonste vulkaniese rotse deur 'n laag van sedimentêre gesteentes wat
bestaan uit ysteroksied en silika in die Middel-merker, wat gevorm was op
die seebodem. Die boonste deel van die Onverwacht Groep bestaan uit
basalt en dasiet. Dit het gevorm by 'n subduksie sone wanneer stygende
magma op die seevloer uitbars en die sediment laag begrawe. Sediment
word afgeset en hoop ook op in diep-water trôe wat verband hou met die
subduksie sone om die kenmerkende gelaagde turbidiete van die Fig Tree
Groep te vorm. Ten slotte, soos die vroeë kontinent begin om te groei, en
aansienlik bo seevlak styg, geërodeerde materiaal word gedeponeer in riviere en vlak water rondom die vroeë
kontinent, wat die Moodies Groep gesteentes vorm. Dit bestaan uit konglomerate (gruis), sand en moddersteen
/ The layered rocks forming the Barberton greenstone belt have been subdivided into discrete packages. The
oldest (lowermost) package is known as the Onverwacht Group, and consists of two parts. The lower part is
made up of a volcanic rock known as Komatiite and represents former oceanic crust. It is separated from the
overlying volcanic rocks by a layer of sedimentary rock consisting of iron oxide and silica, the Middle Marker,
which formed on the ocean floor. The upper part of the Onverwacht Group consists of basalt and dacite. It
formed at a subduction zone when rising magma erupted on the sea floor, burying the sediment layer. Sediment
also accumulated in deep-water trenches associated with the subduction zone to produce the distinctive layered
turbidites of the fig Tree Group. Finally, as the early continent began to grow, and rose significantly above sea
level, erode material was deposited in rivers and shallow water around the early continent, forming the Moodies

135
Vereenvoudigde Geologie van Suid Afrika / Simplified Geology of South Africa 136

Group of rocks. These consist of conglomerates (gravels), sandstones and mudstones (After McCarthy and
Rubidge, 2005).

8.3 Witwatersrand Supergroep / Witwatersrand Supergroup

Die Kaapvaal kontinent het ingesak onder seevlak en ‘n hoof periode van sediment
akkumulasie het plaasgevind wat die wêreld se grootste goud akkumulasie herberg (Fig. 8-3)
/ The Kaapvaal continent started to subside below sea level and a major period of sediment
accumulation occurred which hosts the world’s most important gold accumulation (Fig. 8-3).
Vandag kom die afgeleë gedeeltes voor as verspreide fragmente wat geskei is as gevolg van
erosie. Baie min van die West Rand Groep van gesteentes wat dagsoom op die oppervlak en
die meeste van die fragmente aangetoon in Fig. 8-4, is begrawe onder jonger gesteentes /
Today the outlying portions occur as scattered fragments, separated as a result of subsequent
erosion. Very little of the West Rand Group of rocks actually outcrops in the surface and most
of the fragments shown in Fig. 8-4 are buried beneath younger rocks.

8.4 Ventersdorp Supergroep / Ventersdorp Supergroup

Die intense opheffing in die finale fase van die Witwatersrand sedimentasie het gekulmineer
in die skeuring van die Kaapvaal Kraton wat groot krake veroorsaak het waardeur basalt
magma van die mantel gevloei het ongeveer 2714 miljoen jaar terug en ‘n maksimum dikte
van 2000m bereik het. Dié vulkaniese gebeurtenis merk die begin van ‘n nuwe periode van
sediment akkumulasie op die Kaapvaal Kraton – die Ventersdorp Supergroep (Fig. 8-5a,b) /
The intense uplift in the final stages of Witwatersrand sedimentation culminated in the
rupturing of the Kaapvaal Craton, resulting in huge fractures up which basalt magma from the
mantle flowed about 2714 million years ago and attained a maximum thickness of 2000 m.
This volcanic event marks the beginning of a new period of accumulation of sediment on the
Kaapvaal Craton – the Ventersdorp Supergroup (Fig. 8-5a, b)
Meer krake het ontwikkel en die opgehefde bloke wat hoë grond gevorm het tydens die
Central Rand Groep tye het in mekaar geval en gevolglik verlengde valley gevorm waar
sediment vinnig afgeset was (Fig. 8-6) / More fractures developed and the uplifted blocks that
had formed high ground during Cetral Rand Group times collapsed, becoming instead great,
elongated valleys where sediment was rapidly shed into (Fig. 8-6).

8.5 Transvaal Supergroep / Transvaal Supergroup

Ongeveer 2650 miljoen jaar gelede het ‘n nuwe periode van skeuring van die kontinent begin
en sand en modder was afgeset deur riviere en opgehoop in die slenkdal saam met
geleenthede van basaltiese lava vloei om die Wolkberg Groep te vorm (die basis van die
Transvaal Supergroep) (Fig. 8-7) / Around 2650 million years ago, a new period of rifting of the
continent began and sand and mud were carried by rivers into the rift trough where they
accumulated along with occasional basaltic lava flows to form the Wolkberg Group (the basis
of the Transvaal Supergroup) (Fig. 8-7).
Skeuring was gevolg deur ‘n periode van termale insakking waarby die hele Kaapvaal Kraton
tot onder seevlak gesak het om ‘n groot vlak kontinentale plat te vorm waarop sedimentêre
gesteentes van die Transvaal Supergroep (Fig. 8-8) begin akkumuleer het / Rifting was

136
Vereenvoudigde Geologie van Suid Afrika / Simplified Geology of South Africa 137

Fig. 8-3: Na 'n tydperk van skeurverskuiwing van die Kaapvaal kraton wat die kors verdun het, het die kontinent
onder seevlak gesak en sedimente het begin opbou ongeveer 2970 miljoen jaar gelede. Die gevolglike hoop van
sedimentêre gesteentes, tot 7 km dik, staan bekend as die Witwatersrand Supergroep. Die gesteentes in die
supergroep word hier getoon in die vorm van 'n saamgestelde stratigrafiese kolom. Die laer Wes-Rand Groep
was grootliks gedeponeer in 'n vlak see, terwyl die boonste Central Rand Groep is 'n versameling van rivier
afsettings en is hoofsaaklik landig. Sekere van die konglomeraat lae in die Central-Rand Groep, bekend as riwwe,
bevat ryk konsentrasies van goud en uraan / Following a period of rifting of the Kaapvaal Craton that thinned the
crust, the continent subsided below sea level and sediments started accumulating about 2970 million years ago.
The resulting pile of sedimentary rocks, up to 7 km thick, is known as the Witwatersrand Supergroup. The rocks
comprising the supergroep are shown here in the form of a composite stratigraphic column. The lower West
Rand Group was deposited largely in a shallow sea, whereas the upper Central Rand Group is an accumulation
of river deposits and is mainly terrestrial. Certain of the conglomerate layers in the Central Rand Group, known
as reefs, contain rich concentrations of gold and uranium (After McCarthy and Rubidge, 2005).

137
Vereenvoudigde Geologie van Suid Afrika / Simplified Geology of South Africa 138

Fig. 8-4: Die gesteentes van die Witwatersrand Supergroep was oorspronklik wyd verspreid oor die Kaapvaal
kraton, maar baie is verwyder deur erosie, sodat net die verspreide oorblyfsels wat hier getoon word agterbly.
Die vergrote inset toon die hoof gebied van bewaring van die Witwatersrand Supergroep kom. Die belangrikste
goudvelde kom voor in 'n boog om die westelike en noordelike kante van die kom. Die liggings van hierdie
goudvelde was bepaal deur die aardbewegings langs verskuiwings soos die Thabazimbi-Murchison Line (TML),
die Rietfontein verskuiwing (RIET), die Sugarbush verskuiwing (SBH), en die Grens verskuiwing (BORD). / The
rocks of the Witwatersrand Supergroup were originally widely distributed over the Kaapvaal Craton, but much
has been removed by erosion, leaving only the scattered remnants shown here. The enlarged inset shows the
main area of preservation of the Witwatersrand Supergroup basin. The major goldfields occur in an arc around
the western and northern sides of the basin. The locations of these goldfields were determined by earth
movements along faults such as the Thabazimbi-Murchison Line (TML), the Rietfontein Fault (RIET), the
Sugarbush Fault (SBH), and the Border Fault (BORD).

followed by a period of thermal subsidence, when the almost entire Kaapvaal Craton subsided
below sea level to form a large, shallow continental shelf on which sedimentary rocks of the
Transvaal Supergroup (Fig. 8-8) began accumulating.
Die stratigrafie van die Transvaal Supergroep is soos volg: / The stratigraphy of the Transvaal
Supergroup is as follows:
▪ Pretoria Groep / Group: Kwartsiet, skalie, vulkaniese gesteentes en carbonate /
Quartzite, shale, volcanics and carbonate

138
Vereenvoudigde Geologie van Suid Afrika / Simplified Geology of South Africa 139

(a)

Fig. 8-5: (a) Ongeveer 2700 miljoen jaar gelede, het die Kaapvaal kraton gebots het met 'n soortgelyke, alhoewel
effens jonger, oeroue kontinent bekend as die Zimbabwe kraton. Die botsing, soortgelyk aan wat tans plaasvind
tussen Indië en Asië, wat 'n Himalaya-tipe bergreeks vorm langs die gemeenskaplike grens, die Limpopo Berg
Reeks. Die impak van die twee kontinente het veroorsaak dat die binnekant van die Kaapvaal kraton skeur en
groot hoeveelhede lawa uitloop deur die krake wat die Witwatersrand Supergroep strata begrawe onder meer
as 'n kilometer van lava (die Klipriviersberg Groep van die Ventersdorp Supergroep). Hierdie uitbarstings
ongeveer 2714 miljoen jaar gelede begin en vir nie meer as ses miljoen jaar lank geduur nie. Druk van die noorde
het voortgegaan en dele van die vasteland het begin sywaarts gly om die spanning te akkommodeer. Beweging
het plaasgevind langs die ou verskuiwing sones, maar baie nuwe verskuiwings het ook gevorm. / About 2700
million years ago, the Kaapvaal Craton collided with a similar, although slightly younger, ancient continent known
as the Zimbabwe Craton. The collision, similar to that currently taking place between India and Asia, produced
a Himalayan-type mountain range along their common boundary, the Limpopo Mountain Range. The impact of
the two continents caused the interior of the Kaapvaal Craton to rupture and huge quantities of lava poured
through the cracks, burying the Witwatersrand Supergroup strata beneath more than a kilometre of lava (the
Klipriviersberg Group of the Ventersdorp Supergroup). These eruptions began about 2714 million years ago and
lasted for no more than six million years. Pressure from the north continued and sections of the continent began
to slide sideways to accommodate the stress. Movement took place along old fault zones, but many new faults
formed at this time as well. (b) Die laterale beweging van die aardkors langs die verskuiwings het reekse van
lang valleie geskei deur heuwels gevorm, soos geïllustreer in hierdie dwarsprofiel. / The lateral movement of the
crust along the faults produced arrays of long valleys separated by ridges, as illustrated by this cross-section
(After McCarthy and Rubidge, 2005).

139
Vereenvoudigde Geologie van Suid Afrika / Simplified Geology of South Africa 140

Fig. 8-6: Soos dele van die Kaapvaal kraton sywaarts gegly het in reaksie op voortgesette druk van die
noorde, het afwisselend valleie en heuwels gevorm. Die valleie het verdiep en mere het gevorm.
Sediment vanaf die aangrensende heuwels begin waaier-vormige skort te bou langs die vallei grense,
soos hier aangetoon. Cyanobateria wat groei in die mere het aanleiding gegee tot stromatoliete.
Hierdie sedimentêre afsettings vorm die Platberg Groep van die Ventersdorp Supergroep. Verspreide
vulkaniese gesteentes binne hierdie groep is 2708 miljoen jaar oud. / As sections of the Kaapvaal
Craton slid sideways in response to continuing pressure from the north, alternating valleys and ridges
formed. The valleys deepened and lakes formed. Sediment shed from the adjacent ridges began to
build fan-shaped aprons along the valley margins, as shown here. Cyanobateria growing in the lakes
gave rise to stromatolites. These sedimentary deposits form the Platberg Group of the Ventersdorp
Supergroup. Scattered volcanic rocks within this group are 2708 million years old (After McCarthy and
Rubidge, 2005).

▪ Chuniespoort Subgroep / Subgroup: Karbonate en yster formasies / Carbonates and

iron-formation
▪ Black Reef Formasie / Formation: Konglomerate en kwartsiete / Conglomerate and
quartzites
▪ Wolkberg Groep / Group: Coarse clastic sediments, basaltic lava and sandstones

8.6 Bosveld Kompleks / Bushveld Complex

Ongeveer 2061 miljoen jaar gelede het daar ‘n uitstaande indringing van stollingsgesteentes
plaasgevind – die Bosveld Kompleks (Fig. 8-9) / Around 2061 million years ago a remarkable
intrusion of igneous rocks occurred – the Bushveld Complex (Fig. 8-9).
Fig. 8-10 illustreer die verhoudings tussen die Bosveld Kompleks se drie komponent gedeeltes
/ Fig. 8-10 illustrates the relationships between the Bushveld Complex’s three component
parts.

140
Vereenvoudigde Geologie van Suid Afrika / Simplified Geology of South Africa 141

Fig. 8-7: Verrekking van die kors van die Kaapvaal kraton het ongeveer 2650 miljoen jaar gelede begin, wat 'n
trog tussen die Thabazimbi-Murchison Line en die Sugarbush verskuiwing gevorm het, waarin sedimentêre
gesteentes van die Wolkberg Groep afgeset was. Soos hierdie trog dieper geword het, het die hele Kaapvaal
kraton begin afsak tot onder seevlak en sedimente van die Transvaal Supergroep het begin afset. / Stretching of
the crust of the Kaapvaal Craton started about 2650 million years ago, forming a rift between the Thabazimbi-
Murchison Line and the Sugarbush Fault, in which sedimentary rocks of the Wolkberg Group accumulated. As
this trough became deeper, the whole Kaapvaal Craton began to subside below sea level and sediments of the
Transvaal Supergroup began to accumulate (After McCarthy and Rubidge, 2005).

8.7 Phalaborwa Kompleks (Alkaliese kompleks) / Phalaborwa Complex

(Alkaline Complex)
‘n Vulkaniese pyp van ‘n groot vulkaan wat uitgebars het 2049 miljoen jaar gelede. Die
kompleks behoort aan die alkaliese familie van stollings gesteentes / A volcanic pipe, a feeder
to a large volcano that erupted 2049 million years ago. The complex belongs to the alkaline
family of igneous rocks.

8.8 Die Vredefort Doma / The Vredefort Dome

Ongeveer 2023 miljoen jaar gelede het daar ‘n groot asteroïede die Kaapvaal Kraton getref
wat ‘n krater van 300 km in deursnee gevorm het (die grootste impak struktuur op aarde).
Erosie het van die krater verwyder en stel nou die gesteentes bloot wat onder die
oorspronklike vloer gelê het (Fig. 8-11 en Fig. 8-12) / About 2023 million year ago, a large

141
Vereenvoudigde Geologie van Suid Afrika / Simplified Geology of South Africa 142

Fig. 8-8: Die stratigrafie van die Transvaal Supergroep / The stratigraphy of the Transvaal Supergroup.

142
Vereenvoudigde Geologie van Suid Afrika / Simplified Geology of South Africa 143

Fig. 8-9: Hierdie geologiese kaart toon

die oppervlak dagsoom aan van die
Bosveld Kompleks. Stippel lyne wys
waarskynlik gedeeltes wat begrawe is.
Die kompleks was gevorm word in drie
fases: rioliet uitbarstings op 'n vloer wat
hoofsaaklik bestaan uit Transvaal
Supergroep sedimentêre gesteentes
wat die Rooiberg Groep gevorm het;
basaltiese magma wat dan onder die
Rooiberg groep indring, en 'n ongeveer
8 km dik laag vorm wat baie stadig
gekristalliseer het om minerale toe te
laat om te segregeer in lae om die
Rustenburg gelaagde Suite te vorm; ten
laaste, dring graniet magma bo die
Rustenburg gelaagde Suite in, maar
onder die Rooiberg Groep om die
Lebowa Graniet Suite te vorm. Hierdie
verskillende intrusies het in 'n baie kort
tydjie plaasgevind ongeveer 2061
miljoen jaar gelede. / This geological
map shows
Bushveld Complex. Dashed lines show probable buried portions. The Complex formedthe in
surface
three outcrop of the
stages: rhyolite
eruptions on a floor consisting mainly of Transvaal Supergroup sedimentary rocks produced the Rooiberg Group;
basaltic magma then intrude below the Rooiberg Group, forming a layer about 8 km thick, which crystallised very
slowly, allowing minerals to segregate into layers to form the Rustenburg Layered Suite; finally, granite magma
intruded above the Rustenburg Layered Suite but below the Rooiberg Group to form the Lebowa Granite Suite.
These various intrusions occurred in a very short space of time 2061 million years ago (After McCarthy and
Rubidge, 2005).

Fig. 8-10: Hierdie skematiese

geologiese dwarssnit deur die
Bosveld Kompleks illustreer die
verhouding tussen die drie
samestellende dele. / This
schematic geological cross
section through the Bushveld
Complex illustrates the
relationships between its three
component parts (After
McCarthy and Robidge, 2005).

asteroid struck the Kaapvaal Craton, forming a crater 300 km in diameter (the largest impact
structure known on Earth). Erosion has since removed the crater, exposing the rocks that lay
beneath the original floor (Fig. 8-11 and Fig. 8-12).

8.9 Olifantshoek Supergroep / Olifantshoek Supergroup

Ongeveer 1900 miljoen jaar gelede was daar ‘n verandering in die geologiese omgewing aan
die weste grens van die Kaapvaal Kraton waar diepsee afsettings verander het na ‘n
kontinentale plat en die kuslyn uitgebou het na die see se kant – Olifantshoek Supergroep (Fig.
8-13) / Around 1900 million years ago there was a change in the geological environment at

143
Vereenvoudigde Geologie van Suid Afrika / Simplified Geology of South Africa 144

Fig. 8-11: 'n Geologiese kaart van

die kern van die Vredefort-
struktuur. Die suidelike helfte is
gedek deur jonger rotse.
Oorspronklik, was horisontale lae
opwaarts gestoot en verweer wat
die konsentriese ringe vorm. / A
geological map of the core of the
Vredefort structure. The southern
half is covered by younger rocks.
Originally, horizontal layers were
pushed up and eroded, forming
concentric rings (After McCarthy
and Rubidge).

Fig. 8-12: This geological cross-section through the Vredefort Dome illustrates the overturned layers of
Witwatersrand, Ventersdorp and Transvaal Supergroup strata (After McCarthy and Rubidge, 2005).

the western edge of the Kaapvaal Craton from relative deep-water conditions to a shallow
continental shelf and the shoreline built seaward – Olifantshoek Supergroup (Fig. 8-13)

8.10 Die Waterberg en Soutpansberg Groepe / The Waterberg and

Soutpansberg Groups
Die gesteentes was afgeset ongeveer 1800 miljoen jaar gelede op a weie alluviale vlakte (dus
alluviale afsettings) wat meeste van die Kaapvaal Kraton bedek het (Fig. 8-14) / These rocks
were deposited about 1800 million years ago on a vast alluvial plain (thus alluvial deposits)
that covered much of the Kaapvaal Craton (Fig. 8-14).

8.11 Die Gariep, Malmesbury, Kango en Kraaimans Groepe / The Gariep,

Malmesbury, Kango en Kraaimans Groups
Rodinia het begin opbreek rondom 700 miljoen jaar gelede wat gelei het tot skeuring asook
verlenging van die superkontinent. Verdunning van die Namaqua-Natal gordel het indringing
van die see oor die Oos Kaap veroorsaak met mariene sediment afsettings asook sommige
rivier afsettings (conglomerate). Die afsettings was verskeie name benoem as

144
Vereenvoudigde Geologie van Suid Afrika / Simplified Geology of South Africa 145

Fig. 8-13: Diep water sedimente het langs die westelike rand van die Kaapvaal kraton begin versamel
tydens die vorming van die Transvaal Supergroep. As gevolg van 'n verandering in geologiese
omgewing ongeveer 2000 miljoen jaar gelede, het vlak-water sedimente begin ophoop langs hierdie
grens, wat die Olifantshoek Supergroep van die Noord-Kaap en die Okwa terrein van Botswana gevorm
het. Hierdie vervlakking van die see is dalk verwant aan die benadering van 'n kontinentale massa
vanaf die weste na die westelike rand van die Kaapvaal-Zimbabwe kraton. (Die kuslyn van Suid-Afrika
en die ligging van stede word getoon vir verwysing). / Deep-water sediments had collected along the
western margin of the Kaapvaal Craton during formation of the Transvaal Supergroup. As a result of
a change in geological environment some 2000 million years ago, shallow-water sediments began to
accumulate along this margin, forming the Olifantshoek Supergroup of the Northern Cape and the
Okwa Terrane of Botswana. This shallowing of the sea may have been related to the approach of a
continental mass from the west towards the western margin of the Kaapvaal-Zimbabwe Craton. (The
coastline of South Africa and the locations of cities are shown for reference) (After McCarthy and
Rubidge, 2005).

gevolg van hul wye geografiese verspreiding (Fig. 8-15) / Rodinia began to fragment around
700 million years ago which resulted in general rifting and extension of the supercontinent.
Thinning of the crust also occurred along the Namaqua-Natal Belt, allowing invasion of the sea
over the East Cape with primarily marine including riverine deposits (conglomerates). These
deposits have been assigned a variety of names because of their wide geographic separation
(Fig. 8-15)
Terwyl die bogenoemde afsettings plaasgevind het in die binneland was daar ook sediment
afsetting langs die wes kus bekend as die Gariep Groep (Fig. 8-15) / While the above deposits
took place in the interior of the continent, sedimentation was also occurring along its west
coast known as the Gariep Group (Fig. 8-15)

145
Vereenvoudigde Geologie van Suid Afrika / Simplified Geology of South Africa 146

Fig. 8-14: Die oorspronklik uitgebreide Waterberg en Soutpansberg Groepe van gesteentes was baie verminder
deur latere erosie en kom slegs in beperkte gebiede vandag voor soos weergegee op die kaart / The originally
extensive Waterberg and Soutpansberg Groups of rocks have been much reduced by later erosion and today
occur only in restricted areas as shown in this map (After McCarthy and Rubidge, 2005).

Fig. 8-15: 'n Geologiese kaart van

Suider-Afrika wat die belangrike
metamorfe gordels wat die
Kaapvaal kraton omring. Dit is die
produk van kontinentale groei, en
veral superkontinent vorming. Op
sy oostelike kant, bly die Kaapvaal
kraton geheg aan die ou
gesteentes van die primordiale
kontinent Ur tot die opbreek van
Gondwana sowat 160 miljoen jaar
gelede. / A geological map of
southern Africa showing the major
metamorphic belts that surround
the Kaapvaal Craton. These are the
product of continental growth, and
especially supercontinent
formation. On its eastern side, the
Kaapvaal Craton remained
attached to the ancient rocks of the
primordial continent Ur until the
break-up of Gondwana about 160
million years ago (After McCarthy
and Rubidge, 2005).

146
Vereenvoudigde Geologie van Suid Afrika / Simplified Geology of South Africa 147

8.12 Kaap Graniet Suite / Cape Granite Suite

Die sedimentêre gesteentes aan die suide van die Kaapvaal Kraton (Malmesbury, Kongo en
Kaaimans Groepe) was geplooi en ingedring deur graniete 600 – 500 miljoen jaar gelede – die
Kaap Graniet Suite / The sedimentary rocks to the south of the Kaapvaal Craton (Malmesbury,
Kongo and Kaaimans Groups) were folded and invaded by granites 600 – 500 million years ago
– the Cape Granite Suite

8.13 Die Kaap Supergroep en die Natal Groep / The Cape Supergroup and
the Natal Group
Teen 500 miljoen jaar gelede was Gondwana gekonsolideer en die bergreekse wat ontwikkel
het langs die hegting tussen die versamelde fragmente (die Pan-African gordels, Fig. 8-16)
word geërodeer wat gevolglik die gesteentes wat diep onder die oppervlak gevorm het bloot
te stel / By 500 million years ago, Gondwana had consolidated and the mountain ranges that
had developed along the sutures between the assembled fragments (the Pan-African belts,
Fig. 8-16) were being eroded, exposing rocks that had formed deep below the surface.
Gedurende die noordelike skuiwing het die superkontinent Gondwana interne druk ondervind
en die Pan-African gordels van die suidelike Kaap het reageer met verrekking en verdunning
wat gelei het tot ‘n groot skeur en die ontstaan van ‘n seeweg langs die suid Kaap bekend as
die Agulhas See / During northward drift, the supercontinent began to experience internal
tension and the Pan-African belts of the southern Cape responded by stretching and thinning
that resulted in a major rift and the formation of a seaway across the southern Cape, known
as the Agulhas Sea.

Fig. 8-16: Die fragmente van

Rodinia het om die wêreld beweeg
en begin om te verenig ongeveer
500 miljoen jaar gelede om
Pangaea te vorm. Kontinentale
fragmente wat vandag deel vorm
van die noorde van China en
Kazakhstan, dele van Arabië was
ook bygevoeg in die proses. Die
samevoeging was ongeveer 300
miljoen jaar gelede voltooi. Die
grense tussen die fragmente het
uitgebreide bergreekse gevorm,
veral op die Afrika-kontinent.
Hierdie reekse was sedertdien
verwyder deur erosie, en slegs hul
metamorfose wortelsone word getoon, wat bekend staan as die Pan-Afrikaanse gordels. / The fragments of
Rodinia moved around the globe and began to reunite approximately 500 million years ago to form Pangaea.
Continental fragments that today form parts of northern China and Kazakhstan, as well as parts of Arabia, were
added in the process. Assembly was complete by about 300 million years ago. The boundaries between the
fragments formed extensive mountain ranges, especially on the African continent. These ranges have since been
removed by erosion, exposing their metamorphosed root zones, which are known as the Pan-African Belts (After
McCarthy and Rubidge, 2005).

147
Vereenvoudigde Geologie van Suid Afrika / Simplified Geology of South Africa 148

Die sedimentêre gesteentes wat afgeset is in die Agulhas See is bekend as die Kaap
Supergroep (Fig. 8-17) / The sedimentary rocks deposited in the Agulhas Sea are known as the
Cape Supergroup (Fig. 8-17).
Die noord-oostelike tak het meestal growwe sedimente ontvang wat vandag die strata van die
Natal Groep vorm (Fig. 8-17) / The north-eastern branch received mostly coarse sediments,
which today form the strata of the Natal Group (Fig. 8-17).
Die stratigrafie van die Kaap Supergroep is soos volg: / The stratigraphy of the Cape
Supergroup is as follows:
▪ Witteberg Groep / Group – variasie van afsettings omgewings insluitend riviere,
mere, deltas en vlak mariene afsettings / a diverse of depositional settings ranging
from rivers, fresh and brackish water lakes, to deltas and the shallow marine realm.
▪ Bokkeveld Groep / Group – bestaan meestal uit modderstene / consist largely of
mudstones.
▪ Tafelberg Groep / Group – mariene sedimentêre gesteentes / marine sedimentary
rocks.

8.14 Karoo Supergroep / Karoo Supergroup

Die kors het ingesak onder die gewig van die Kaapse plooi gordel wat gevorm het a.g.v.
kompressie in die Agulhas See, en ‘n kom het ontwikkel by sy noordelike been waar ‘n nuwe
siklus van sediment afsetting begin het – die Karoo Supergroep (Fig. 8-18 en Fig. 8-19) / The
crust began to sag under the load of the Cape fold belt which originated because of
compression in the Agulhas Sea, and a basin developed on its northern flank where a new
cycle of sediment deposition began – the Karoo Supergroup (Fig. 8-18 and Fig. 8-19).

Fig. 8-17: Sowat 500 miljoen jaar gelede het 'n

verskuiwingstrog begin ontwikkel langs wat vandag as
die Suid-Kaapse kus bekend is. Dit was begin in die
weste, maar later uitgebrei oor die hele streek. Die
see het hierdie verskuiwingstrog oorstroom om die
Agulhas See te vorm soos die kors verdun en gesak
het. Aanvanklike sedimentasie was beperk tot die
westelike en oostelike dele van die verskuiwingstrog,
wat die Klipheuwel en Natal Groepe van gesteentes.
Soos skeurverskuiwing voortgesit word, vergroot die
daling en meer wydverspreide sediment opeenhoping
het plaasgevind wat die Kaapse Supergroep gevorm
het. / About 500 million years ago, a rift began to
develop along what is today the southern Cape coast.
This was initiated in the west, but later extended
across the entire region. The sea flooded this rift,
forming
Sea as the crust thinned and subsided. Initially sedimentation wasthe Agulhasto the western and eastern ends of
confined
the rift, forming the Klipheuwel and Natal Groups of rocks. As rifting continued, the depression enlarged and
more widespread sediment accumulation took place, forming the Cape Supergroup (After McCarthy and
Rubidge, 2005).

148
Vereenvoudigde Geologie van Suid Afrika / Simplified Geology of South Africa 149

Fig. 8-18: Hierdie geologiese

kaart toon die hedendaagse
verspreiding van die rotse van
die Karoo Supergroep aan in
Suid-Afrika, wat hoofsaaklik
bestaan uit sedimentêre
gesteentes. Hierdie gesteentes
beslaan ongeveer twee-derdes
van die land en is gedeponeer in
die binnelandse Karoo See, wat
gevorm is agter die opgeligde
Kaapse bergreeks. / This
geological map shows the
present day distribution of the
rocks of the Karoo Supergroup in
South Africa, which consist
mainly of sedimentary rocks.
These rocks cover some two-
thirds of the country and were deposited in the inland Karoo Sea, which formed behind the rising Cape Mountain
range (After McCarthy and Rubidge, 2005).

Fig. 8-19: Hierdie skematiese

noord-suid dwarssnit deur die
rotse van die Karoo Supergroep
illustreer die dikker gedeelte van
die Supergroep in die suide teen
die Kaapse berge. Die hoop
gesteentes verdun na die
noorde. Hierdie verandering in
dikte is 'n gevolg van die noord
tot suid asimmetrie van die
binnelandse Karoo See. / This
schematic north-south cross-
section through the rocks of the
Karoo Supergroup illustrates the greater thickness of the supergroup in the south, against the Cape Mountains.
The pile of rocks thins towards the north. This change in thickness is a consequence of the north to south
asymmetry of the inland Karoo Sea (After McCarthy and Rubidge, 2005).

Die stratigrafie van die Karoo Supergroep is soos volg: / The stratigraphy of the Karoo
Supergroup is as follows:
▪ Drakensberg Groep / Group – vulkaniese gesteentes / volcanic rocks
▪ Stormberg Groep / Group – kronkel rivier afsettings, soutpan afsettings en droë sand
lae / meandering river deposits, salt-pan deposits and arid-zone soil layers.
▪ Beaufort Groep / Group – fluviale (sand en modder) afsettings / fluvial (sand and
mud) deposits
▪ Ecca Groep / Group – groot Mississippi-tipe delta afsettings / large Mississippi-type
delta deposits
▪ Dwyka Groep / Group – glasiale afsettings / glacial deposits

149
Vereenvoudigde Geologie van Suid Afrika / Simplified Geology of South Africa 150

8.15 Uitenhage Groep / Uitenhage Group

Gedurende die opbreek van Gondwana was Suid-Afrika opgehef en heelwat erosie het
plaasgevind in die ontwikkelende Indiese en Atlantiese oseane. Sedimentêre afsettings wat
voorgekom het op land was klein en gelokaliseerde en meestal verwant aan aktiewe
verskuiwings – die Uitenhage Groep (Fig. 8-20) / During the break-up of Gondwana South
Africa was elevated and the interior was experiencing erosion and sediment deposition was
taking place mainly in the developing Indian and Atlantic Oceans. Sedimentary deposits
formed on land are small and very localised, and are mostly related to active faults – the
Uitenhage Group (Fig. 8-20)

Fig. 8-20: Hierdie skematiese illustrasie toon hoe frakture wat gevorm was deur die westelike
beweging van die Falkland Plato depressies geskep het, in hierdie geval die Algoa kom in die Port
Elizabeth area. Riviere vloei uit die hoër grond in die noorde van die fraktuur set eerste grond af, dan
sand en uiteindelik slik en modder in die deltas en op die bodem van mere en 'n vlak see wat die
dieper dele van die depressie vul. Sediment opeenhoping het tred gehou met versakking langs die
verskuiwing en die gevolglike afsettings van sediment was baie dik, soveel as 14 km in een geval.
Fossiele van hierdie sedimentêre neerslae gee 'n aanduiding van mariene en terrestriële lewe op die
tyd. / This schematic illustration shows how fractures created by the westward movement of the
Falkland Plateau created depressions, in this case the Algoa Basin in the Port Elizabeth area. Rivers
flowing from the higher ground to the north of the fracture deposited first gravel, then sand and
finally silt and mud in deltas and on the bed of lakes and a shallow sea that filled the deeper parts of
the depression. Sediment accumulation kept pace with subsidence along the fault and the resulting
piles of sediment became extremely thick, as much as 14 km in one instance. Fossils from these
sedimentary deposits provide an indication of marine and terrestrial life at the time (After McCarthy
and Rubidge, 2005).

150
Vereenvoudigde Geologie van Suid Afrika / Simplified Geology of South Africa 151

8.16 Kalahari Groep / Kalahari Group

Teen die einde van die Kryt het die suidelike Afrika kors begin buig en gevolglik wye laagtes en
opheffings gevorm het. Twee boë (of asse) van opheffings is bekend as die Kalahari-Zimbabwe
As (Fig. 8-21) en die Transvaal-Griqualand As (Fig. 8-21) wat ‘n groot effek gehad het op die
riviere van Suid-Afrika. Die Limpopo het meeste van sy water verloor en binnelandse mere
het begin vorm agter die rif, wat die begin van die Kalahari Kom was (Fig. 8-22 en Fig. 8-23) /
Around the end of the Cretaceous, the southern African crust began to flex, forming broad
swells and depressions. Two of these arches (or axis) are known as the Kalahari-Zimbabwe
Axis (Fig. 8-21) and the Transvaal Griqualand Axis (Fig. 8-21) that had a profound effect on the
rivers in southern Africa. The Limpopo lost most of its water, and inland lakes began to form
behind the ridge in the interior which marks the start of the Kalahari Basin (Fig. 8-22 and Fig.
8-23).

Fig. 8-21: Sowat 60 miljoen jaar gelede, het

sagte boë (genaamd "asse") begin om te
vorm in die binneland van die Afrika-
kontinent. Twee van hierdie het besondere
belang vir Suider-Afrika omdat hulle gelei het
tot 'n depressie in die binneland, bekend as
die Kalahari-kom. Die Kalahari-Zimbabwe as
sny die bolope van die Limpopo, en groot
mere begin vorm in die binneland, veral Meer
Makgadikgadi. Opheffing van die Transvaal
Griekwaland-as het gelei tot die opvang van
die Karoo rivier deur die Kalahari River om die
moderne Oranje Rivier stelsel te vorm. By
ongeveer 20 miljoen jaar gelede, was die Oos-
Afrikaanse skeurverskuiwing stelsel begin
propageer binne in Suider-Afrika wat die
Zambezi-rivier stelsel in die besonder
beïnvloed het. / About 60 million
years ago gentle arches (called ‘axis’) began to form in the interior of the African continent. Two of these
had particular importance for southern Africa, as they resulted in a depression in the interior known as the
Kalahari Basin. The Kalahari-Zimbabwe Axis cut off the headwaters of the Limpopo, and large lakes began
to form in the interior, notably Lake Makgadikgadi. Uplift of the Transvaal Griqualand Axis resulted in the
capture of the Karoo River by the Kalahari River to form the modern Orange River system. By about 20
million years ago, the East African rift system was beginning to propagate into southern Africa, influencing
the Zambezi River system in particular (After McCarthy and Rubidge, 2005).

151
Vereenvoudigde Geologie van Suid Afrika / Simplified Geology of South Africa 152

Fig. 8-22: Omtrent 14 miljoen jaar gelede het

die opwelling van die koue water op die
weskus begin wat veroorsaak het dat baie
droë toestande in die weste van die land
ontwikkel. Mere in die Kalahari-kom het
begin opdroog, 'n proses wat vererger was
deur die verlies van invloei veroorsaak deur
die progressiewe opvangs deur die Zambezi-
rivier van die belangrikste sytakke van die
mere. Mere en rivier afsettings in die
Kalahari-kom het verander in woestyn. /
About 14 million years ago the upwelling of
cold water began on the west coast, causing
extremely arid conditions to develop in the
west of the country. Lakes in the Kalahari
Basin began to dry up, a process exacerbated
by the loss of inflow caused by the
progressive capture by the Zambezi River of
major tributaries of the lakes. Lake and river
deposits in the Kalahari Basin gave way to desert sand (After McCarthy and Rubidge, 2005).

Fig. 8-23: Die Oos-Afrikaanse

skeurverskuiwing gaan voort om te
propageer binne Suider-Afrika, en die
gepaardgaande verskuiwing het gelei tot die
weg wending van die Kwando-rivier in die
Zambezi-rivier wat die vorming van die
Okavango Delta in die noorde van Botswana
veroorsaak het. / The East African Rift system
continues to propagate into southern Africa,
and the associated faulting has led to the
diversion of the Kwando River into the
Zambezi River and caused the formation of
the Okavango Delta in northern Botswana
(After McCarthy and Rubidge, 2005).

152