This field trip has been CANCELLED.

This seven day “Overlander” camping field trip takes a north-south cross-section through the spectacularly exposed Mesoproterozoic low P, high T Namaqua mobile belt.

We will present newly developed ideas on the geological history of the belt based on recent and current mapping and research projects and highlight a variety of tectonic, magmatic and mineralisation processes specific to this belt. 

The trip starts in the high grade granulite core of the belt where classic dehydration melting textures, igneous and metamorphic charnockites and the principal deformation episodes will be discussed.

Day 2 will take us through the historic copper district looking at copper-bearing norite bodies hosted in steep structures in addition to other more regional aspects of the belt.

By Day 3 we will have reached the low grade Paleoproterozoic Richtersveld Subrovince and will investigate early tectonics and mineralisation associated with the volcanic arc rocks.

Days 4 to 6 focus on Namaqua collision zone tectonics and mineralisation (Ta-Nb and U pegmatites) along the Lower Fish River-Onseepkans Thrust and the Pofadder mega-Shear Zone. Long days of classic geology will be interspersed with nights camping along the Orange River accompanied by cold beer, fine wines and braai vleis (barbeques).

*passport/visa requirements for visiting Namibia*

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Field Trip Leaders: Alex Kisters and Paul Macey
Start: Cape Town International Convention Centre
End: Cape Town International Convention Centre
Dates: 7 days, Sunday 21st to Saturday 27th August 2016
Price: ZAR 17 600, single supplement ZAR 6325

Info from Trip Leader

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