Recording the largest gabbro-anorthositic complex worldwide: The Kunene Complex (KC), SW Angola

The Kunene Complex (KC) represents a large Mesoproterozoic igneous body, mainly composed of anorthosites and gabbroic rocks that extends from SW Angola to NW Namibia (18000 km2, N-S trend, ca. 350 km long 25–50 wide). Although the KC has been studied cartographic geochemical point view, little is known about its structure at depth below sedimentary deposits Kalahari basin. Hence, we use available satellite gravity data estimate extent unravel morphology depth. Bouguer anomaly map depicts gradient coast (+200 mGal) towards eastern (-150 mGal), which explained by transition young, dense thin basaltic oceanic crust, formed during Mesozoic Atlantic rifting, an old, light thick Archaean Proterozoic continental crust (Congo Craton), east. outcropping interrupts showing western, southwestern northeastern sides, several positive isolated anomalies linked intrusions associated (ca. 50 wavelength −90 mGal). In contrast, found central part massif (50 < -110 correspond dominant anorthositic members, according spatial correlation mapping. Five 2.5D profiles have modelled investigate unexposed boundary, reconstructing surface crustal (between 0 15 depth) overlaid cover modelling helps us show was emplaced in Upper Crust up 6 km, lobular geometry following NE-SW NNE-SSW linear presumably inherited older Palaeoproterozoic structures. lateral continuation east 125 km) beneath sediments suggests overall size least twice dimension (about 42500 km2). This statement clearly influences economic potential this massif, related prospecting raw materials certain types mineralization (Fe-Ti oxides, metallic sulphides or platinum group minerals).