The relevance of the sedimentary history of the Grand Conglomerat 1 Formation ( Central Africa ) to the interpretation of the climate 2 during a major Cryogenian glacial event

8 The Cryogenian Grand Conglomerat Formation (<765 & >735 Ma) is an 9 association of interbedded glaciogenic, clastic periglacial and non-glacial deposits, 10 topped by the Kakontwe Limestone cap carbonate. These units occur within the 11 Nguba Group of the Katanga Supergroup, deformed in the Pan African Lufilian 12 Arc that separates the Congo and Kalahari cratons. Correlation of regional 13 unconformities and facies distribution suggest that the Grand Conglomerat strata 14 were deposited (during and after eruption of flood basalts) in an asymmetrical rift, 15 with a strongly uplifted southern shoulder, and a graded shelf defining the 16 northern margin. Glaciomarine sediments along the southern margin of the 17 Katangan rift are preserved within fan-delta conglomerates supplied from an 18 elevated rift shoulder. By contrast, the northern margin of the rift was the site of 19 continental glaciation with cross-bedded, glaciofluvial and marginal marine 20 sandstones and conglomerates, associated with massive tills (diamictites) that pass 21 laterally towards the south into glaciomarine mixtite interlayered with wedges of 22 dolomitic sandstone. The Kakontwe Limestone cap carbonate is present only in 23 the distal parts of the basin. Its absence in proximal regions is considered to reflect 24