Mocambique2

Mozambique Offshore

Davie Subduction Zone

On this tentative geological interpretation of a Canvas autotrace of Mozambique seismic line crossing the Davie subduction zone, the descending lithospheric plate is formed by a the Gondwana thinned lithosphere, in which rift-type basins, predating the breakup of the lithosphere, can be developed and covered by lava-flows. The SDRs (Seaward Dipping Reflectors) accrete the individualized lithospheric plate at the bottom of the Atlantic-type divergent margin. In the overriding lithospheric plate, a volcanic arc was developed in association with the subduction of the sub-aerial and oceanic crust, which induce a significant accretionary wedge. In the Tertiary sediments of the Mozambique Atlantic-type divergent margin, contourites are detected, which become quite important and well recognized in south Mozambique geographic basin (Page 65) and Natal Valley geographic basin (Page 63).