Facies analysis of limestones at songo songo island in south east tanzania

S Kapilima, Geology Department, University of Dar es Salaam P. O. Box 35052, Dar es Salaam, TanzaniaFollow
KA Msindai, Geology Department, University of Dar es Salaam P. O. Box 35052, Dar es Salaam, TanzaniaFollow

Section

Physical Sciences

Abstract

Songo Songo Island is situated at close proximity of the continental slope of the coastal sedimentary basin of Tanzania. Its rich varieties of marine organisms and carbonate sediments provide a classic example of island emergence with the development of successive detrital and organic reefs as well as lime sand. Facies analysis at the Island was done through mapping, logging, faces and microfacies analysis. Results show that Songo Songo Island can be classified into three faces; the detrital reefs, organic reef and lime sand. The fossil assemblage reveals that most of the fauna and flora are frame-building organisms in organic reef. Its coral assemblage of Acropora palmata, A. cericomis and Diploria sp. from Songo Songo Island is similar to that from the Lesser Antilles Island Arc and is thus dated as Holocene.

Recommended Citation

Kapilima, S and Msindai, KA (1999) "Facies analysis of limestones at songo songo island in south east tanzania," Tanzania Journal of Science: Vol. 25: Iss. 1, Article 11.
Available at:https://doi.org/10.65085/2507-7961.2393