Prerequisite: None
Course status: Core
Credit Rating: 12 credits
Total hours spent: 120 hours [45 hours lectures, 30 hours Tutorials, 15 hours Assignments, and 30 hours independent study]
Course Objective(s)
o This course aims to provide an understanding of the geology of Tanzania and its mineral resources and fossil fuels.
o To provide insights on the geologic evolution of Tanzania cratons and its surrounding mobile belts and younger formations.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
o Describe the dynamic evolution of Precambrian terrains of Tanzania.
o Describe the geology and associated mineral resources found within the Precambrian terrains of Tanzania.
o Describe the dynamic evolution of Phanerozoic terrains of Tanzania within the Gondwanaland framework.
o Describe the geology and associated mineral and hydrocarbon resources found within the Phanerozoic terrains of Tanzania.
Course Structure
The Precambrian Geology of Tanzania: The Archean terranes (the Tanzania Craton); the Proterozoic terranes; The Phanerozoic Geology of Tanzania: Karoo Basins of Tanzania, Coastal Sedimentary Basins of Tanzania, Cretaceous Igneous rocks; The East African Rift system; Erosional Land Surfaces.
Course Content
Precambrian: Geology, geochronology, mineral resources and evolution models for the Archaean terranes (i.e. Tanzania Craton), Proterozoic terranes (i.e. Ubendian – Usagaran foldbelt, Karagwe–Ankolean and Bukoban Supergroups, and the Pan-African Mozambique belt). These aspects of Tanzanian geology are also examined on a larger Scale, within the geodynamic evolution of western Gondwanaland; Phanerozoic: Geology, stratigraphy and mineral resource and the evolution models of the following geologic Units: Karoo Basins of Tanzania (Upper Carboniferous – L. Jurassic). Coastal Marine Sedimentary Basin of Tanzania (M. Jurassic – Present). Cretaceous Continental Sedimentary basins. Cretaceous igneous rocks (kimberlites and carbonatites). Tertiary – Quaternary East African Rift Valley: rifting, sedimentation and volcanism. Erosional Land Surfaces and drainage patterns of Tanzania.
Assessment
Coursework 40%, Final Examination 60%.
Key Textbooks:
1. Mruma A. H., Leger C., Kagya M., Falk D., Boniface N., Magigita M., Stanek K. P., Barth A. and Shukrani M., (2015), Explanatory Notes for the Minerogenic Map of Tanzania, Geological Survey of Tanzania.
2. Ikingura, J.R., Mutakyahwa, M.K.D., Marobhe, I.M., Manya, S., Kazimoto, E.O., Kasanzu, C.H., Mshiu, E.E., Kasanzu, C.H., Mshiu, E.E., (2009). Atlas of Gold deposits in Tanzania.
3. Barth, H., (1989). The Lake Victoria gold fields, Explanatory Notes, Provisional Geological Map, 1/50.000.
4. Kaaya, C. Z. (1992). Depositional environment of Late Permian Karoo beds in the Ruhuhu Basin and Mikumi area of Tanzania.
5. Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation, (1992). Tanzania Petroleum Exploration Potential. Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation, Dar es Salaam.
6. Dawson, J. B. (2008). The Gregory rift valley and Neogene-recent volcanoes of northern Tanzania. Geological Society, London, Memoirs 33, 39–77. doi:10.1144/M33.7
7. Kimambo, R. H. N. (1986). Development of the Non-metallic Minerals and the Silicate Industry in Tanzania: A profile of the silicate industry in Tanzania (Vol. 2). Eastern Africa Publications Limited.
8. McKinlay (1965). Coal Resources of Tanzania – Geological Survey of Tanganyika.
9. Quenell A.M. (1956). Summary of the Geology of Tanzania Introduction & Stratigraphy – Geological Survey of Tanganyika.
10.Harris (1960). Summary of the Geology of Tanzania – Economic Geology – Geological Survey of Tanganyika.
11.Kent P.E. (1971). Geology and Geophysics of Coastal Tanzania – Her Majesty.
12.Kaaya (1992). Depositional Environment of Late Permian Karoo beds in Ruhuhu Basin and Mikumi area of Tanzania. PhD Thesis University of Cologne.