Orogen styles in the East African Orogen: A review of the Neoproterozoic to Cambrian tectonic evolution

The East African Orogen, spanning from Israel to Mozambique and Madagascar, is the world's largest Neoproterozoic to Cambrian orogenic complex. This study reveals distinct phases of orogeny between 850 and 550 million years ago (Ma), culminating in the closure of the Mozambique Ocean around 620 Ma during the East African Orogeny. Post-orogenic extension, interpreted as resulting from lithospheric delamination, occurred diachronously between 600-480 Ma. The orogen exhibits varied styles: an accretion-type orogen in the Arabian-Nubian Shield, a hot-to-ultra-hot orogen in the Eastern Granulite-Cabo Delgado Nappe Complex, and a Himalayan-type orogen in Tanzania and Madagascar. These findings highlight the complex tectonic evolution of the region, shaped by different geodynamic settings.

Fritz, H., Abdelsalam, M., Ali, K. A., Bingen, B., Collins, A. S., Fowler, A. R., Ghebreab, W., Hauzenberger, C. A., Johnson, P. R., Kusky, T. M., Macey, P., Muhongo, S., Stern, R. J., & Viola, G. (2013). Orogen styles in the East African Orogen: A review of the Neoproterozoic to Cambrian tectonic evolution. Journal of African Earth Sciences, 86, 65–106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2013.06.004