A new lithostratigraphy for the northern Kibaran Belt

with Cutten H., Tack, L., Fernandez-Alonso, M., Baudet, D., Tahon, A., Barritt, S.

The lithostratigraphy of the northern Kibaran Belt has been put together over the past 50 years by many different teams and authors and covering many different countries ( Rwanda , Burundi, DRC Kivu Province, NW Tanzania and SW Uganda). This has lead to a confusing lithostratigraphic nomenclature, with inconsistent use of formation, groups and supergroup names. Because of that, it is impossible to establish from previously presented lithostratigraphic models, whether parts of the sequence correlate or not.

In recent years, the completion of a regional GIS database, the reinterpretation of geophysical data, and limited field work have lead to a reinterpretation of the northern Kibaran Belt and the construction of a new synthetic lithostratigraphy for the region. Previous terms, such as the Burundi and Rwanda Supergroup, which appeared to comprise depositional units of various ages and setting, have been dropped in favour of a more coherent set of Supergroups, each defining a different depositional environment or different times of deposition.

Work is ongoing to refine the new synthetic lithostratigraphy, and to provide geochronological constraints on various parts of the succession.

Refer to the following abstract for more information.

Extract of the GIS database for the northern Kibaran Belt, showing total magnetic intensity (grey) overlain by geological units. Inset shows parts of the new stratigraphy proposed for the region.