Lithostratigraphy, volcanism, paleomagnetism and palynology of Quaternary lacustrine deposits from Barombi Mbo (West Cameroon): preliminary results

Maley, J., Livingstone, D.A., Giresse, P., Thouveny, N., Brenac, P., Kelts, K., Kling, G., Stager, C., Haag, M., Fournier, M., Bandet, Y., Williamson, D. and Zogning, A., 1990. Lithostratigraphy, volcanism, paleomagnetism and palynology of Quaternary lacustrine deposits from Barombi Mbo (West Cameroon): preliminary results. In: F. Le Guern and G.E. Sigvaldason (Editors), The Lake Nyos Event and Natural CO 2 Degassing, II. J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 42: 319-335. We present preliminary results from the study of 23.50-m core from Lake Barombi Mbo, representing the last 25,000 years. The lake is in an explosion crater formed during Quaternary time. The very laminated sediment is composed mostly of clay containing 5-10% organic carbon. Each couplet is commonly composed of a basal lamina rich in quartz, plant debris, muscovite and sponge spicules, and of a more clayey upper lamina often with siderite. A perturbed section near the base of the core, before ca. 21,000 yr B.P., could be the result of a violent release of gas, such CO2, comparable to the recent Nyos gas eruption. The paleomagnetic studies exhibit high-frequency oscillations interpreted as paleosecular variations of the local geomagnetic field. This first record obtained on the African continent can be closely compared to the type record obtained in Western Europe. The pollen results demonstrate the presence of a forest refuge in West Cameroon during the last great arid period, ca. 18,000 yr B.P. When equatorial forest was broken up, elements of montane vegetation spread to the lowlands. These phenomena resulted from a drying and cooling climate. * Present address: Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MS 02543, U.S.A. 0377-0273/90/$03.50 © 1990 Elsevier Science Publishers B.V.