The Congo Basin: Stratigraphy and subsurface structure defined by regional seismic reflection, refraction and well data

The Congo basin (CB) occupies a large part of the craton, which derived from amalgamation different cratonic pieces. As intracratonic basin, it initiated, possibly as failed rift, in late Mesoproterozoic and evolved during Neoproterozoic Phanerozoic an intraplate setting. For this reason, CB can be considered natural laboratory for investigating processes that govern long–term evolution continental interiors. In study, we reconstructed stratigraphy tectonic using all available geological seismic data (reflection refraction seismics, borehole field data). We interpreted almost 2600 km reflection profiles well log located inside central area (the “Cuvette Centrale”). obtained model will further constrained by aeromagnetic satellite gravity density measurements rock samples next paper. Results show depth to basement varies quite significantly, defining series structural highs depocenters developed throughout history basin. major controlling factors development are, besides deep geodynamic processes, inherited heterogeneity pre-Neoproterozoic basement, Rodinia, Gondwana Pangea breakup, environmental conditions influenced drifting through South Pole towards its present-day equatorial position global climatic fluctuations between icehouse greenhouse conditions.