First record of Permo-Triassic palynomorphs of the N’Condédzi sub-basin, Moatize-Minjova Coal Basin, Karoo Supergroup, Mozambique

Abstract

Permian-Triassic ages have been identified for the first time in the Karoo Supergroup of the N'Condédzi sub-basin, Moatize-Minjova Coal Basin, Mozambique. This transition was identified in a coal exploration borehole that penetrated the Matinde and Cádzi formations. The top of the Matinde Formation is dated latest Permian (Lopingian), and the Cádzi Formation is attributed to Triassic based on palynostratigraphy. The Lopingian age is established by the identification of three palyno-assemblages: Assemblage L1 based on the first occurrence (FO) of Guttulapollenites pollen, Assemblage L2 is marked by the FO of Thymospora pseudothiessenii, and Assemblage L3 is defined by the FO of Osmundacidites senectus. Triassic palynomorphs were identified for the first time in Mozambique (Karoo basins). The data allowed the identification of three assemblages: Assemblage T1 defined by the FO of Densoisporites nejburgii of Induan age, Assemblage T2 is marked by the FO of Platysaccus queenslandi and assigned to the Olenekian age, and Assemblage T3 is defined by the FO of Samaropollenites speciosus and Enzonalasporites vigens, indicating a Carnian age. No Middle Triassic rocks were identified, and the early Triassic sediments are overlain by sedimentary rocks of Carnian age, a hiatus that may correspond to an important tectonic event with uplift and erosion. This tectonic event is also suggested by the occurrence of common reworked Permian palynomorphs in the Carnian sedimentary rocks. These new data constrain the age of the Karoo Supergroup formations of Mozambique and contribute to improve the palaeoecological, palaeoclimatic evolution, and the palaeogeographic position of the Karoo Mozambique basins within the Gondwana supercontinent.

The Limpopo Magma‐Rich Transform Margin, South Mozambique – 2: Implications for the Gondwana Breakup

“…The second structural trend is approximately NW‐SE trending and is mainly marked by the Shire valley at the edge of the Lurio belt (Figure 1) (Castaing, 1991), becoming N‐S along the southern part of the Lebombo Monocline. Interestingly, both trends were reactivated locally during (a) the Permian‐Triassic time as evidenced by the presence of Karoo rifts associated with the Karoo Supergroup (e.g., Castaing, 1991; Catuneanu et al., 2005; Galasso et al., 2019; Watkeys, 2002) and (b) the Early to Middle Jurassic (e.g., Cox, 1992; Castaing, 1991) as evidenced by the presence of a large igneous province (LIP) and various set of faults which locally controlled the LIP emplacement (ca. 180 Ma, Duncan et al., 1997; Riley et al., 2004; Jourdan et al., 2007; Svensen et al., 2012).…”

Age constraints of the Guttulapollenites hannonicus–Cladaitina veteadensis Biozone in Argentina reveal the first record of Early Triassic (Olenekian) palynofloras in Western Gondwana

“…It should be noted that both species usually occur together in assemblages of the PTB interval (e.g. Cirilli et al 1998, Galasso et al 2019, Hermann et al 2012) and Olenekian (e.g. Rossi et al 2019).…”

“…Later, Galasso et al (2019) identified two Early Triassic assemblages in the N'Condédzi Sub-basin (Mozambique) similar to the La Veteada Formation palynofloras. The Assemblage T1 is defined by the FO of Densoisporites nejburgii of Induan age, and Assemblage T2 is marked by the FO of Platysaccus queenslandi and assigned to the Olenekian.…”

Assessing Thermal Maturity through a Multi-Proxy Approach: A Case Study from the Permian Faraghan Formation (Zagros Basin, Southwest Iran)

“…Qualitative spore UV Fluorescence colors are an indicator of thermal maturity of OM useful for low-rank rocks up to the beginning of the oil window (R o ≈ 1.35-1.50%; e.g., [38,[123][124][125][126][127][128]. Fluorescence microscopy is used to evaluate the level of maturation of a rock from fluorescence colors and spectra [126,129,130].…”