Geological Guide to Selected Areas of the Kruger National Park

Abstract

The Kruger National Park (KNP) contains a considerable variety of rock types, ranging from Archaean granitoids to Recent sedimentary deposits. Some 3 500 million years of geological history is represented in an approximately 85 km east-west section at the southern area of the Kruger National Park. Older rocks are typically found in the western half of the KNP and to the east rock units become progressively younger. Some of the more important rock types found in the KNP include greenstones of the Barberton Mountain Land (approximately 3 500 million years old), granitoid rocks of the Nelspruit Batholith (approximately 3 200 million years old), syenitic intrusions associated with the Phalaborwa Complex (approximately 2 050 million years old), Soutpansberg volcanics and sediments (approximately 1 750 million years old), Timbavati Gabbros (approximately 1 450 million years old?), Karoo sediments and Lebombo volcanics (approximately 200 - 170 million years old) and Cretaceous to Recent sedimentary deposits which are best developed in the eastern region of the park.