Cryogenian-Ediacaran crustal growth and evolution of the active margin of the Dahomeyide belt, Ghana

Abstract

The study presents detailed petrographical, geophysical, structural and geochemical data of the internal nappes zone to establish the deformational history, origin and tectonic setting and constrain the crustal growth and evolution of the active margin of the Dahomeyide belt. Two main lithological units, (i) deformed meta-granitoids (migmatites and gneisses) and (ii) undeformed granitoids, dominate the internal nappes zone. The granitoids are generally I-type, metaluminous to weakly peraluminous, low-K tholeiite to high-K calc-alkaline and of tonalite, granodiorite and granite affinity. The overall trace element patterns of the studied granitoids characterized by the enriched LILE and depleted HFS, with negative peaks of Nb-Ta, Sr, P and Ti, are indications of arc-related magmatism. Structural analysis reveals four deformation phases (D1-D4). D1 represents Northwest-Southeast (NW-SE) Pan African shortening associated with a continent-continent collision, resulting in westward nappe stacking. Progressive NW-SE shortening resulted in D2 and D3 top-to-the-NW dextral and sinistral thrusting events during the Pan-African orogeny. D4 is an extensional event likely associated with the orogenic collapse phase. The gneisses and migmatites, with dominant axial planar foliations, point to their formation in a collisional setting or influence by the Pan-African collisional processes. Continental-arc signatures in these rocks imply continental subduction during their protolith formation. The intrusive granitoid and pegmatite are undeformed, meaning late- to post-orogenic emplacement. These findings suggest that the internal nappes zone archived the subduction-collision and post-collisional phase of the Pan-African orogeny and recorded large-scale migmatization and granitoid emplacement due to partial melting of thickened lower crust between Mid-Cryogenian and late Ediacaran.