THE CAPE SUPERGROUP
Sedimentary deposits of the Cape Supergroup span the Cambrian to Carboniferous Periods. Dating these rocks has been a long standing challenge. It relies on relative dating methods such as fossil biostratigraphy and correlating sea-level patterns with the global record because primary volcanics are absent and as such absolute dates can not be attained in this case. Glaciation events also put a good constraint on the stratigraphy, such as for example the end Ordovician glaciation, which deposited Pakhuis Tillite (Table Mountain Group).
Fossil biostratigraphy has provided important constraint on the ages of some of the strata. For our current purpose we will explore the geological setting of the Witpoort Formation (Late Devonian) and Baviaanskloof Formation (Early Devonian) and what fossils tell us about their ages of deposition.
Fossil biostratigraphy has provided important constraint on the ages of some of the strata. For our current purpose we will explore the geological setting of the Witpoort Formation (Late Devonian) and Baviaanskloof Formation (Early Devonian) and what fossils tell us about their ages of deposition.