Kinematic analysis of the Dschang granitic pluton (West-Cameroon): Implications to the Pan–African deformation of the Central African fold belt in Cameroon during the post-collisional history of western Gondwana

Geological mapping and structural interpretation of the Dschang‐Santchou‐escarpment (West, Cameroon), using Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS sensors/SRTM and field observations

“…According to these authors, the Dschang granite emplaced in a low strain crustal domain within an anastomosing pattern of shear zones, during the transition period between sinistral left‐lateral (613–585 Ma; Ngako et Njonfang 2011) and dextral right‐lateral (585–540 Ma; Ngako et Njonfang 2011) movement of the history of western Gondwana. The above ages ranges obtained for the emplacement of the Dschang granite seems to extend for the sinistral left‐wrench movement from 613–585 Ma to 613–578 Ma (Fozing et al, 2021).…”

“…Both phases are associated with N100E and N140E trending stretching mineral lineations, dated between 630 ± 5 Ma and 620 ± 3 Ma in the North‐Cameroon (Toteu et al, 2004, 2006). The D 3 phase, dated between 613 and 585 Ma, has led to sinistral or dextral N–S and NE–SW shear movements and is responsible for the emplacement of CCSZ (Tcheumenak Kouémo et al, 2014; Efon Awoum et al, 2021; Achu Megnemo et al, 2021; Fozing et al, 2014, 2016, 2021). This D 3 phase is well documented in the central and northwestern domains.…”

“…Several research works have been carried out on the Dschang‐Santchou escarpment and its vicinity (Dumort, 1968; Fozing et al, 2019; Fozing et al, 2021; Kwékam et al, 2015; Kwékam et al, 2020). Earliest geological investigations conducted by Dumort (1968) identified in the study area, granites and anatexis, intruded in the biotite gneiss (Figure 2).…”

“…This plutono‐metamorphic basement is partially overlain by trachytic and basaltic cover. According to Kwékam et al (2015, 2020) and Fozing et al (2019, 2021), granitoids of the Dschang pluton are composed of biotite granite (fine‐grained and coarse‐grained to megacryst) and magnetite‐rich biotite granite, intruded in the biotite hornblende orthogneiss basement. They are I‐type granites (Kwékam et al, 2015), dominantly paramagnetic (Fozing et al, 2019) and contain a low magnetite amount that was probably remobilized during the Pan‐African Orogeny (Kwékam et al, 2020).…”

“…They are I‐type granites (Kwékam et al, 2015), dominantly paramagnetic (Fozing et al, 2019) and contain a low magnetite amount that was probably remobilized during the Pan‐African Orogeny (Kwékam et al, 2020). On the structural point of view, these rocks are affected by four phases of deformation D 1 ‐D 4 (Fozing et al, 2021). According to these authors, the Dschang granite emplaced in a low strain crustal domain within an anastomosing pattern of shear zones, during the transition period between sinistral left‐lateral (613–585 Ma; Ngako et Njonfang 2011) and dextral right‐lateral (585–540 Ma; Ngako et Njonfang 2011) movement of the history of western Gondwana.…”