What is the West and Central African Rift System?

The West and Central African Rift System is a major geological structure composed of two coeval Cretaceous-era sub-systems known as the West African Rift sub-system and the Central African Rift sub-system. Although genetically related, these two components are physically separated and display structural differences. They are bridged by the Logone Birni Basin, which forms a transitional zone between them. Additionally, this system is older than the well-known East African Rift System.

What we know

• The West and Central African Rift System is composed of two Cretaceous-era sub-systems called the West African Rift sub-system and the Central African Rift sub-system. [1, 2]
• The two sub-systems are genetically related but remain physically separated and show structural differences. [2]
• The Logone Birni Basin acts as a transitional area situated between the West African and Central African sub-systems. [2]
• The West and Central African Rift System is older than the East African Rift System. [2]

Where to go next

• compared withWhat are the characteristics of the East African Rift System?
• how it workedHow do geological rifts form through extensional tectonics?
• a case in pointWhat is the Logone Birni Basin?
• the bigger pictureWhat is the geological history of African rift systems?
• an unexpected connectionHow does the West Antarctic Rift System compare in scale?

Sources

• [1]West and Central African Rift System (Wikidata Q23583679) · CC0 1.0
• [2]West and Central African Rift System · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]Rift · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]West Antarctic Rift System · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]Great Rift Valley · CC BY-SA 4.0