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Revision as of 07:17, 5 June 2015

Dataset Description

The geology map of Africa shown here is based on the USGS/UNESCO 1:5 million scale map of geology, oil and gas fields and geologic provinces of Africa (Persits et al. 2002). This base map has been modified by the British Geological Survey to group or subdivide selected geological units, in order that it better reflects significant hydrogeological differences (MacDonald et al. 2010). The following key modifications have been made:

Precambrian rocks have in most cases been subdivided into three:

  1. Metasedimentary
  2. Orogenic/mobile belt – crystalline metamorphic and igneous rocks within linear, mostly Proterozoic, orogenic belts
  3. Craton – Archaean and Palaeoproterozoic rocks which have not been affected by Proterozoic and younger orogenic events

Sedimentary rocks have, where relevant, been grouped by the major groundwater sedimentary basins to which they belong: for example, the Taoudeni, Chad and Iullemeden basins.

Unconsolidated sedimentary deposits have been distinguished where they have a significant outcrop and, generally, where they overlie less permeable rocks. They are not generally shown where they are minor (for example, alluvial outcrops in small river valleys) or where they overlie sedimentary basins of greater hydrogeological significance.


Citations and links:

Persits F, Ahlbrandt T, Tuttle M, Charpentier R, Brownfield M and Takahashi K. 2002. Map showing geology, oil and gas fields and geologic provinces of Africa, Ver 2.0. USGS Open File report 97-470 A. https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1997/ofr-97-470/OF97-470A/


MacDonald AM, Ó Dochartaigh BE, Bonsor HC, Davies J and Key R. 2010 Developing quantitative aquifer maps for Africa. Nottingham, UK, British Geological Survey Report IR/10/103, 28pp. https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/501779/

Country-scale geological maps

This modified geological map of Africa was used as the basis for the country-scale geological maps in this Atlas. For some countries, further modifications have been made to reflect more accurately the geology at a more detailed, national scale. These modifications were done in discussion with experts in the hydrogeology and geology of the respective countries.


Further Sources of Information

Many countries across Africa (27 in total) are members of OneGeology, an international initiative to make worldwide geological data and maps available at a scale of at least 1:1 million. Further information can be found via the OneGeology website and data can be accessed via the OneGeology portal.




Africa Groundwater Atlas >> Additional resources >> Geology