S. Afr.J. Geol.

1989 ,92(4) ,306--321

306

A tale of two tectonic terranes

R.J. Thomas
Geological Survey, P.O. Box 900, Pietermaritzburg 3200, Republic of South Africa

Accepted 30 September 1989

Numerous lines of evidence suggest that the Natal Structural and Metamorphic Province in southern Natal is
made up of two major tectonostratigraphic terranes. These are namely, a sou~hern 'Margate ,!,er~ane' and. a
northern 'Mzumbe Terrane'. The Mellville shear zone is interpreted as a WIde, southerly dlppmg, ductIle
discontinuity which represents the deeply eroded suture between them. The Turtle Bay Suite consists of a
bimodal mafic granulite-leucocratic enderbite association which occurs in the Mellville shear. zone and is
thought to be the relics of a dismembered, layered igneous body. The Margate Terrane compnses an older,
granulite facies sequence of supracrustal gneisses (the Mzimkulu Group) which was intruded by distinctive pre-
and syntectonic plutonic suites. The amphibolite grade, older supracrustal gneisses, and migmatites of the
Mzumbe Terrane (the Mapumulo Group) are intruded by pre- and syntectonic plutonic rocks of markedly
different character to those of the southern area. The major D2 structures of the region are consistent with those
formed in a compressional tectonic regime which resulted from the collision and accretion of the two tectonic
blocks. This event possibly gave rise to northward-directed thrusting and folding in the Mzumbe Terrane.
Terrane accretion was post-dated by two major episodes of transcurrent shearing which represent the ductile
response to lateral relative movements between crustal blocks. Certain late- to post-tectonic granitoids were
intruded throughout the entire area indicating that, by then, the terranes had been welded together and the
province was acting as a single tectonic unit.

Talle benaderings lewer getuienis dat die Natalse Strukturele en Metamorfe Provinsie in suidelike Natal bestaan
uit twee hoof tektonostratigrafiese terreine, nJ. 'n suidelike 'Margate-terrein' en 'n noordelike 'Mzumbe-
terrein'. Die Mellville-skuifskeursone word gei'nterpreteer as 'n wye, suidwaarts hellende, duktiele diskontinuit
wat die diepverweerde sutuur tussen hulle verteenwoordig. Die Turtle Bay Suite bestaan uit 'n bimodale
mafiese granuliet-leukokratiese enderbietassosiasie wat in die Melville-skuifskeursone voorkom en moontlik
die oorblyfsels van 'n uiteengeskeurde gelaagde stollingsliggaam is. Die Margate-terrein behels 'n ouer
granulietfasiesopeenvolging van suprakorsgneiss (die Mzimkulu Groep) wat ingedring is deur kenmerkende
pre- en sintektoniese plutoniese suites. Die ouer suprakorsgneise en -migmatiete van amfibolietgraad in die
Mzumbe-terrein (die Mapumulo Groep) is ingedring deur pre- en sintektoniese plutoniese gesteentes waarvan
die kenmerke opvallend verskil van die van die suidelike gebied. Die hoofstrukture en die kenmerke van die
vroee plutoniese gesteentes van die gebied stem ooreen met die van gesteentes wat gevorm het in 'n tektoniese
regime van kompressie en die gevolg is van botsing en akkresie van die twee tektoniese blokke. Hierdie
gebeurtenis het moontlik aanleiding gegee tot die noordwaarts gerigte stootskuiwing in the Mzumbe-terrein.
Terreinakkresie is gevolg deur twee hoofepisodes van wringskuifskeuring wat die duktiele reaksie op laterale
relatiewe bewegings tussen korsblokke verteenwoordig. Laat- tot natektoniese granitoledes het deur die hele
gebied ingedring wat aantoon dat die terreine teen daardie tyd saamgesmee was en die provinsie as 'n enkele
tektoniese eenheid opgetree het.

Introduction for the pervasive fabrics seen throughout the area.

The geology of the southern part of the ca. 1000 Ma However, the peak grade of regional metamorphism is
Natal Structural and Metamorphic Province is higher in the south (granulite facies) than in the north
characterized by two major lithostratigraphic groupings. (amphibolite facies).
The oldest of these is made up of a number of formations During regional mapping in the Port Shepstone area
of high-grade, supracrustal gneisses with a great diversity (Thomas, 1988a) it became clear that the various rock
of rock-types which were collectively placed within the types were not evenly distributed throughout the region.
Mapumulo Group by Thomas (1988a), following SACS Certain formations of the supracrustal gneisses and older
(1980). These gneisses have been intruded by 13 distinct plutonic suites are confined to the northern or southern
granitoid units and two, less extensive, metabasite suites parts of the region. It is thus not possible to correlate the
(Thomas, 1988a; Evans et al., 1987; Talbot & Grantham, gneisses (formerly all placed within the Mapumulo
1987). Group) south of Mellville, with those to the north.
Whilst the stratigraphic relations between the Similarly, the character of"0e pre- and syntectonic
constituent formations of the older supracrustal gneisses plutonic rocks in the two sub-iegions- is distinct. These
are unknown, the relative ages of many of the granitoids two areas of disparate geology are separated by a major
are more certain. The protoliths of the gneisses predate structural discontinuity known as the Mellville shear
the first deformation (D 1 ) recognized, whereas the zone. However, the late-tectonic granitoids of, for
protracted emplacement of multiple plutonic suites example, the Oribi Gorge Suite crop out throughout the
spanned the entire post-supracrustal gneiss history of the entire region (Thomas, 1988b).
area from pre-D 1 to post-D 4 times. The second (D 2 ) It is suggested that this lack of correlation between the
deformation, which was broadly synchronous with peak older rocks of the northern and southern parts of the
(M 2 ) metamorphic conditions, was largely responsible area is because they represent exposed fragments of two
S. Afr.1. Geol.1989 ,92( 4) 307

o
~
Cover rocks

Late- to post-tectonic granitoids

L..:t.-±-J
MZUMBE TERRANE (Amphibolite)

Pre- and syntectonip granitoids

Mapumulo Group gneisses

~~ D Shear zones
4

~rI Mellville Shear Zone

,,4f' Mucklebraes Klippe HI88ERDENE

UMZUMBE

PORT SHEPSTONE
- 30° 45'S -

MARGATE TERRANE (Granulite)

~

..
~ Pre- and syntectonic granitoids

Mzimkulu Group gneisses

PORT EDWARD

Sikombe Granite

o 10 20 km Area of main map

I
30° 10'E
I

Figure 1 Sketch map of southern Natal, showing distribution of the major lithological groupings and terranes (R - R' is the
approximate line of section of Figure 4).
 308 S.-Afr.Tydskr.Geol.1989,92(4)

distinct tectonostratigraphic terranes. Thomas (1988c) geographical localities (e.g. Coney et al., 1980;
hinted at this interpretation, in referring to a 'northern Nockleberg, 1983; Joubert, 1986), it is proposed that the
amphibolite terrain' and a 'southern granulite terrain' in two tectonic blocks in southern Natal be referred to as
southern Natal. Following modern convention, which the 'Mzumbe Terrane' in the north and the 'Margate
assigns names to tectonic terranes or domains after Terrane' in the south, separated by the Mellville shear

MAPUMULO THRUST

PIETERMARITZBURG
o DURBAN

o Phanerozoic cover rocks

NATAL PROVINCE

m -
----
Late- to post-tectonic
Rapakivi granite - charnockite

Tugela Terrane

Mzumbe Terrane

a Margate Terrane

f:.:.:~ Transkei terrane ?

KMPVML PROVINCE

PORT EDWARD
E3 Granite-greenstone terrane

/ Major thrust zones

o ?
~\

\ \
Figure 2 Major tectonostratigraphic subdivisions of the Natal Province (north of Mapumulo thrust from Matthews, 1981).
S.Afr.J.GeoI.1989,92( 4) 309

zone (Figure 1). Further south, in northeast Transkei, tectonostratigraphic subdivisions are shown on Figure 2.
there is a return to amphibolite facies and a unique Note that, in the light of a terrane model being applied
pretectonic granite (the Sikombe Granite) is recognized. to southern Natal, it is suggested that Matthews'
This may represent the exposed fragment of a third 'Northern Marginal zone', with its characteristic
tectonic domain lying to the south of the Margate lithological assemblage and structural style, is itself a
Terrane (Thomas & Mawson, 1989). distinct tectonostratigraphic terrane - the 'Tugela
Tankard et al. (1982), following Matthews (1981) and Terrane'.
Cain (1975), subdivided the Natal Province into four The purpose of this communication is to propose new
zones. A 'Northern Marginal zone', comprising a stack lithostratigraphic nomenclature and to contrast the
of thrust nappes which have been transported lithological, tectonic and intrusive histories of the two
northwards onto the Archaean Kaapvaal Craton, is major terranes prior to, during, and after their
bounded in the south by the Mapumulo thrust. To the juxtaposition. The boundary between them is briefly
south lay the 'Northern', 'Central', and 'Southern' described and possible explanations for many of the
tectonic features of the area are given . Detailed
zones, respectively. Matthews considered the boundary
descriptions of the various lithologies are not given here
between these three to be 'entirely arbitrary'. Clearly
as they have already been reported by Thomas (1988a).
Matthews' (1981) subdivisions of the Natal Province,
Other aspects of certain areas and lithological units have
south of the Mapumulo thrust, need to be revised in the
been detailed by McIver (1966), Otto (1977), Eglington
light of the present study. The proposed new

Table 1 Lithostratigraphic nomenclature of the Natal Structural and Metamorphic Province south of 30 0 S

Lithostratigraphic unit Description

Aplite alaskite, pegmatite Sheets and dykes of various ages

Late to Belmont Suite a Potassic granite pluton, sheets
post- Oribi Gorge Granitoid Suite Rapakivi granite - charnockite batholiths, plutons
tectonic Ingwe Granodiorite Leucogranodiorite sheet
granitoids Sezela Suite Alkali syenite/monzonite plutons

DEVELOPMENT OF MELLVILLE SHEAR ZONE - JUXTAPOSITION OF TECTONIC DOMAINS

MARGA TE TERRANE MZUMBE TERRANE

Unit Description Unit Description

Foliated Margate Garnet granite, Mahlongwa Suite a Porphyritic granite sheets

Syn- Complex charnockite Humberdale Granite a Biotite granite
tectonic garnet-biotite gneiss Mzimlilo Suite a Biotite granite sheets
granites

Glenmore Granite Garnet biotite granite Mkomazi Suite Garnet-biotite augen gneiss

Pre- Munster Mafic hypersthene Equeefa Suite a Blastoporphyritic mafic dykes

tectonic Suite a gneiss sheets
intrusive
gneisses Tonalite of Small biotite- Mzumbe Suite a High-alumina tonalite-
Banana Beach hornblende tonalite body trondhjemite layered gneisses

? Intrusive Turtle Bay Two pyroxene granulite &

Gneisses? Suite a leucocratic enderbite

MZIMKULU GROUp b MAPUMULO GROUP

Formation Description Formation Description

Supra- Mucklebraes a Metabasite Quha,a Pelitic and semipelitic

crustal Leisure Bayb Metapelite (migmatites Mpambanyonia banded gneiss, migmatite
gneisses Marble Deltaa Marble rare) 'Pink gneiss' Quartz-feldspar gneiss,
migmatite

aName not yet approved by SACS; bChange in rank not yet approved by SACS
310 S.-Afr.Tydskr.Geol.1989,92(4)

et al. (1986), Evans et al. (1987), Talbot & Grantham rocks in the Mzumbe Terrane apparently continue
(1987), and Thomas (1988b,c, 1989a). northward to the Mapumulo area itself (Thomas,
1988e). Thus, until future work may prove to the
lithostratigraphic nomenclature contrary, it appears that the Mzumbe Terrane extends
all the way north to the Mapumulo thrust (Figure 2). The
Thomas (1988a), following SACS (1980), included all
older gneisses of the Mzumbe Terrane thus comprise the
the older supracrustal rocks south of Durban in the
Mapumulo Group.
Mapumulo Group. In the light of the present study,
The lithologically distinct older gneisses of the
which recognizes two tectonostratigraphic terranes in Margate Terrane cannot, by definition, be placed within
southern Natal, the current SACS nomenclature must the Mapumulo Group. It is therefore proposed that
clearly be revised, as the uncorrelated rocks of two these rocks be included in a 'Mzimkulu Group'. This
distinct terranes cannot fall within the same term is a redefinition of SACS' (1980) 'Mzimkulu
lithostratigraphic groupings. The proposed new Formation', which originally included four units namely:
nomenclature is given in Table 1. Table 2 compares this the 'Cherrywillingham', 'Oribi', 'Le Jonquet' and
with that used by other workers in small parts of the 'Leisure Bay Granulite' Members. For reasons outlined
area. in Thomas (1988a) the Cherrywillingham Member was
The lithological assemblages of the older supracrustal renamed the 'Mucklebraes Formation', the Oribi and

Table 2 Comparative lithostratigraphic nomenclature of Thomas (1988a); Evans et al. (1987) and Eglington et al.
(1986); Grantham (1983), and Mciver (1966)

Thomas (1988a); Evans et al. (1987); McIver (1966); Grantham (1983)

Eglington et al. (1986)

Granitoids (in approximate stratigraphic order)

Belmont Granite Suite
Oribi Gorge Granitoid Suite Port Edward enderbite Port Edward enderbite, Complex
Fafa Granite Bomela Charnockite
Bomela charnockite
Ingwe Granodiorite
Sezela Suite Sezela quartz monzonite
MARGATE TERRANE
Margate Complex Margate Complex
Nicholson's Point Granite Nicholson's Point Granite
Munster Suite Biotite Diorite, Munster
Metabasite, Peter Pan Monzonorite
Glenmore, Anerley Granites Glenmore Granite Glenmore Granite
Banana Beach tonalite
MZUMBE TERRANE
Mahlongwa Granitoid Suite Scott burgh Granite
Humberdale Granite Humberdale Granite
Mzimlilo Granite Suite Glen Rosa Granite
Equeefa Suite Equeefa metabasite
Mkomazi Gneiss Suite Scott burgh Granite (in part)
Mzumbe Gneiss Suite Woodcote tonalite
NORTHERN TRANSKEI
Sikombe Granite Gneiss

Turtle Bay Suite

Supracrustal gneisses
MZIMKULU GROUP: (Margate Terrane)
Marble Delta Formation
Leisure Bay Formation Leisure Bay Granulites Leisure Bay Granulites
Mucklebraes Formation
MAPUMULO GROUP: (Mzumbe Terrane) Mzinto Suite:
Quha Formation Biotite quartzo-feldspathic
formation (in part)
Mpambanyoni Formation Banded gneiss formation
Pink acid gneiss Leptite formation
S.Afr.J.GeoI.1989 ,92(4) 311

the Jonquet Members were retained as members of a layering, which is parallel to the regional, S2 fabric
'Marble Delta Formation', and spatially distinct Leisure (Thomas, 1989b). Minor calc-silicate layers and boudins
Bay Member was upgraded to formation status. The new probably represent intercalations of originally impure,
proposal (yet to be approved by SACS) therefore only calcareous sediments. The rather monotonous quartz-
essentially involves an increase in rank of the original biotite-feldspar gneisses and migmatites which make up
units (Table 3). the greater part of the Quha Formation in the area east
and south of Sipofu are probably metamorphosed semi-
The Mzumbe Terrane pelitic or greywacke-type sediments.
The streaky 'pink gneisses' (Thomas, 1988a) have not
Mapumulo Group
been afforded formal formation status, as they are
The northern supracrustal rocks include two formations probably representative of diverse protoliths (Table 4).
of banded paragneisses and migmatites and an They are likewise restricted to, and indeed, typify the
extensively developed sequence of heterogeneous, fine- Mzumbe Terrane. Some of the highly siliceous rocks
grained, leucocratic, layered, 'pink acid gneisses' (Table (with up to 80% quartz and accessory magnetite)
4). Together, these gneisses constitute some 20% of the undoubtedly represent metamorphosed quartzitic
exposed basement surface area. The banded gneisses sediments. Less siliceous gneisses, with flattened mafic
(the Quha and Mpambanyoni Gneiss Formations) were inclusions, appear to be deformed granites (Thomas,
probably pelitic, semi-pelitic, and magnesian sediments 1989b). Yet other monotonous, very fine-grained,
or volcaniclastic rocks, with interlayered mafic volcanic sillimanite and tourmaline-bearing pink gneisses may
rocks. These are now seen as biotite-garnet ± sillimanite originally have been acid volcanic/ volcaniclastic rocks
± cordierite gneisses, biotite-hornblende ± garnet (Thomas 1989b). Polyphase deformation, high-grade
gneisses, cummingtonite amphibolites and hornblende- metamorphism, and migmatization have obliterated any
plagioclase gneisses, respectively. In some localities (e.g. primary textural evidence regarding the origin of these
along the Quha River) extremely well-developed rocks.
layering of diverse lithologies, coupled with a size-
grading of garnet and cordierite porphyroblasts in Pre- and syn-tectonic plutonic rocks
certain horizons, is interpreted as transposed, So The early post-Mapumulo Group plutonic history of the

Table 3 Lithostratigraphic nomenclature of the older supracrustal gneisses of the

Margate Terrane

This work SACS (1980)

Mucklebraes Formation Cherrywillingham Member

MZIMKULU MZIMKULU Oribi Member
GROUP Marble Delta Formation FORMA TION Le Jonquet Member
Leisure Bay Formation Leisure Bay Granulite Member

Table 4 The Mapumulo Group (Mzumbe Terrane): lithology and typical mineral parageneses

Gneiss
formation Lithology Typical parageneses

Pink Quartz-feldspar gneiss and migmatite Quartz + K-feldspar + albite + biotite ± hornblende
acid ± garnet
gneiss Rare mafic pods Plagioclase + diopside + hornblende ± scapolite
Very fine-grained pink, streaky gneiss Quartz + feldspars + hornblende ± spinel ±
sillimanite ± tourmaline
Saccharoidal quartzitic gneiss Quartz + feldspar + magnetite
White quartzite Quartz + feldspar + sillimanite

Mpambanyoni Pelitic gneiss, schist and migmatite Quartz + feldspars + biotite ± garnet ± cordierite ±
and sillimanite
Quha Semi-pelitic gneiss and migmatite Quartz + feldspars + biotite ± hornblende ± garnet
Hornblende gneiss and amphibolite Plagioclase + hornblende + biotite ± quartz ± garnet
Cummingtonite amphibolite Plagioclase + hornblende + cummingtonite ± quartz
Calc-silicate rocks Plagioclase + diopside + garnet ± quartz ± hornblende/
actinolite ± sphene ± tourmaline
Brown quartzite Quartz + feldspar + magnetitelhematite
 S.-Afr.Tydskr.Geo1.1989,92(4)
312

two terranes is markedly distinct. The relevant K-feldspar megacrysts up to 30 X 15 mm in size in low-
lithostratigaphic nomenclature is given in Table 1. The strain zones. In such zones these augen occasionally
northern area is characterized by extensive outcrops of show evidence of syntectonic rotation so that the
two major pretectonic orthogneiss units namely, the granites can be best considered pre- to early syntectonic
Mzumbe and Mkomazi Gneiss Suites. The older of in age and thus probably post-date the Equeefa dykes.
these, the Mzumbe Suite, comprises a highly distinctive, The layered nature of the Mkomazi Suite is enhanced by
quartz diorite-tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite grey abundant layers and elongate inclusions of biotite-
gneiss suite with high-AI203' low-K, calc-alkaline, I1M- garnet-sillimanite gneiss of the Mpambanyoni Formation
type granitoid affinities (Thomas, 1989a) . These gneisses and/or pink gneiss, with which it is intimately associated.
are diagnostic of the Mzumbe Terrane where they crop The Mkomazi Gneiss Suite thus has the field and
out over an area of >500 km 2, south of 30o S, as petrographic characteristics of crustal, S-type,
extensive, flat tabular bodies which have suffered peraluminous granites, in contrast to the I-type Mzumbe
intense polyphase deformation , amphibolite-grade Suite.
metamorphism and migmatization. In the Umzumbe- Field relations suggest that they were derived by
Idomba area the gneisses are sheared and locally anatexis and mobilization of the adjacent pelitic
mylonitized by the Mellville shear zone which marks the paragneisses during an early stage of the D2/M2
southern limit of their extent. tectonothermal event.
The emplacement of the Mzumbe Gneiss Suite was The younger, syntectonic plutonic rocks of both
post-dated by an extensive mafic dyke swarm which may terranes are represented largely by rocks of granitic
be related to the larger Equeefa Metabasite body, dated (sensu stricto) composition. In the Mzumbe Terrane they
at 1024 ± 32 Ma (Evans et af., 1987). These dominantly comprise three units of foliated, sheet-like granites of
northwest-trending, often composite, dykes of ophitic, broadly similar compOSItIOns: the Mzimlilo and
blastoporphyritic amphibolite are deformed by, and Mahlongwa Suites and the Humberdale Granite. The
terminate against, the Mellville shear zone. Mzimlilo Suite is composed of a number of tabular
In the northern Mkomazi River area of the Mzumbe bodies (up to 1 km thick) of pink-weathering, grey,
Terrane, the intrusive, layered, biotite-garnet (± medium- to coarse-grained, leucocratic, mildly
sillimanite and cordierite) granitic augen gneisses of the porphyritic, K-feldspar-rich, biotite hornblende ±
Mkomazi Suite constitute a pre-syntectonic granite suite. garnet granite gneiss. Variations in grain size and the
These rocks occupy the core of a major, westerly- widespread occurrence of biotite-rich paragneissic
plunging, isoclinal antiform, which is associated with a xenoliths and schlieren commonly impart a crude
post-D 2 steep-belt. These heterogeneous, streaky and banding. The rocks show many of the field,
layered granites are typically coarse-grained, with white petrographic, and geochemical characteristics of an S-

Table 5 The Turtle Bay Suite and the Mzimkulu Group (Margate Terrane): lithology and typical mineral parageneses

Lithostratigraphic unit Lithology Typical mineral parageneses

Two-pyroxene mafic granulite Plagioclase + orthopyroxene + clinopyroxene +

Turtle Bay brown hornblende ± biotite
Suite a Plagioclase-rich enderbite Quartz + plagioclase + hypersthene ± biotite

Mucklebraes Gneiss Hornblende gneiss and amphibolite Hornblende + augite + plagioclase ± quartz ±
Formation a biotite
Hornblende + hypersthene + plagioclase
Calc-silicate rocks Plagioclase + quartz + diopside + sphene ±
idocrase ± garnet

Mzimkulu Marble Delta Calcite-, dolomite marble Carbonate ± forsterite ± diopside ± wollastonite
Group Formation ± phlogopite ± graphite
Quartzite Quartz + diopside + calcite

Leisure Bayb Layered pelitic paragneiss Quartz + feldspars + cordierite + hypersthene +

Granulite garnet + biotite (2)
Formation Kinzigite Quartz + feldspars + garnet + sillimanite +
cordierite
Psammitic granulite Quartz + plagioclase + hypersthene + garnet ±
biotite

(1) Otto (1977); (2) Talbot & Grantham (1987)

aName not yet approved by SACS; bChange in rank not yet approved by SACS
S.Afr.J.Geol.1989,92(4) 313

type granite suite (Thomas & Gain, 1989). The structurally overlies the Marble Delta Formation and
Humberdale Granite is a pink, foliated biotite- occupies the core of the Mucklebraes klippe (Thomas
hornblende granite of similar aspect to the Mzimlilo 1988c).
Suite. The Mahlongwa Suite comprises a number of The Turtle Bay Suite includes the Turtle Bay and
deformed sheets and plutons of strongly foliated, coarse- Mhlwazini Formations which were originally included in
grained, K-feldspar-porphyritic biotite granite and the Mapumulo Group by Thomas (1988a). However,
quartz-syenite. The Mzimlilo Suite (Glen Rosa Granite) further work by the author has shown that these two
and the Humberdale Granite have given Rb-Sr whole- units comprise a unique, genetically related, bimodal
rock ages of 1089 ± 14 and 981 ± 35 Ma, respectively two-pyroxene granulite-Ieucocratic enderbite
(Evans et al., 1987). association. The original Mhlwazini Formation
Earlier suggestions that some of these plutonic rocks comprised mafic, two-pyroxene granulites with
subordinate leuco-enderbite layers, whereas the original
occur south of the Mellville shear zone (Thomas 1986,
Turtle Bay Formation was made up of the same
1988a), were based on an initial lithological and
lithologies, but their proportions were reversed. A
petrographic appraisal of the area as a whole. In the light
petrological study of these rocks, which is currently in
of more detailed studies, this has been found to be
progress, indicates that the rocks most probably
erroneous. For example, the dark grey, tonalitic gneiss represent fragments of a dismembered, layered,
at Banana Beach (south of the Mellville shear) was intrusive igneous body which should not therefore be
included in the Mzumbe Suite by Thomas 1988a). The included within the supracrustal gneisses (now the
geochemical disparity between the two units, coupled Mzimkulu Group). The term 'Turtle Bay Suite',
with their divergent accessory mineralogy has, however, comprising the two lithological varieties described above
shown them to be quite distinct (Thomas, 1989a). is proposed. Rocks of the suite are restricted to the
Similarly, the gneIssIC, garnetiferous, porphyritic northern margin of the Margate Terrane, where they
granites of the far south (e.g. the Glenmore Granite of occur as tectonic slivers along the Mellville shear zone.
McIver, 1966 and the Anerley granite of Thomas, 1985)
were included in the Mkomazi Suite by Thomas (1988a). Pre- and syn-tectonic granitoids
This correlation was also in error, as the two groups The earliest intrusive granitoids in the southern terrane
show distinct petrographic and geochemical include the tonalitic, layered gneiss at Banana Beach,
characteristics (Thomas 1988d). the foliated, garnetiferous, megacrystic Glenmore
Granite (McIver, 1966; Grantham, 1983) and the garnet-
Margate Terrane biotite granitic gneiss at Anerley (Thomas, 1985). These
Mzimkulu Group units are nowhere juxtaposed so that their age-relations
South of the Mellville shear zone, supracrustal rocks are unknown. However, Eglington et al. (1986), who
make up even less « 10% ) of the exposed basement obtained a Rb-Sr age of 946 ± 46 Ma on the Glenmore
outcrops. The lithological assemblages and mineral Granite, considered this unit to be the youngest
parageneses contrast strongly with those of the granitoid of the southern part of the area. This viewpoint
Mapumulo Group in the Mzumbe Terrane (Table 5). has been disputed on field evidence by Grantham
Migmatites are rare in the Mzimkulu Group. Pelitic (1983), Talbot & Grantham (1987), and Thomas
gneisses, so characteristic of the Mapumulo Group, form (1988a), who considered the Glenmore Granite to be the
a very small proportion of the Mzimkulu Group, such oldest of all the various granitoid units in the Port
that only the are ally restricted Leisure Bay Gneiss Edward area. The pretectonic granitoid assemblage of
Formation contains any metapelites, with very limited each terrane is therefore similar, i.e. foliated, tonalitic,
leucosome development. The Marble Delta Formation is I-type granitoids and peraluminous, possibly S-type,
a unique metacarbonate sequence. It may once have granite gneisses. However, the differences in
petrography and geochemistry between those north and
been more extensive within the Margate Terrane as
south of the Mellville shear zone demonstrates that they
identical rocks have been identified as enclaves in the
are genetically unrelated (Thomas, 1989a).
Oribi Gorge batholith (Thomas, 1988a), and the CO 2
In a similar fashion to the Mzumbe Terrane, the
seeping from fault zones near Izingolweni has been
earliest granitoids of the Margate Complex were post-
attributed to the action of sulphuric acid (from dated by a suite of granulite facies mafic rocks, although
sulphides) on carbonates at depth (Gevers, 1941). The of markedly different character to those of the Equeefa
formation comprises two units, a lower, dolomitic, 'Le Suite in the north. The southern mafic rocks are
Jonquet', and an upper, calcitic, 'Oribi', Member (Otto, represented by the Munster Metabasite Suite, two
1977). Nicolaysen & Burger (1965) quoted a K-Ar age of phases of strongly foliated biotite-hypersthene-augite-
1018 Ma for a phlogopite from the Marble Delta plagioclase rocks of broadly dioritic aspect (McIver,
Formation. This is thought to reflect the age of the 1966; Grantham, 1983). Grantham (1983) and
regional metamorphism. The orthopyroxene-bearing Mendonidis & Grantham (1989) showed these rocks to
mafic gneisses of the Mucklebraes Gneiss Formation be calc-alkaline in geochemical character, in contrast to
include layered augite amphibolites, two-pyroxene the tholeiitic affinities of the Equeefa dykes (Thomas, in
granulites and calc-silicate rocks. This formation prep.).
314 S.-Afr.Tydskr.GeoI.1989 ,92(4)

The southern syntectonic granitoids are comparable to domes. Outcrop in this area is exceedingly poor, but
those of the Mzumbe Terrane in that they are typified by these intrusions can probably be considered to be tabular
granites (sensu stricto). However, in the southern bodies deformed into westerly plunging antiforms during
terrane the syntectonic granites are represented by the the third deformational episode (c/. Thomas, 1986).
highly complex, but characteristic assemblages of the Smaller sheets of Margate-type garnet leucogranite also
Margate Complex. Lithologies include foliated garnet intrude the Mzumbe Suite in the Hibberdene area and
leucogranites, chloritized biotite leucogranites, garnet- are associated with the Mkomazi Suite in the north of the
biotite augen gneisses and medium-grained charnockites Mzumbe Terrane. It is, as yet, not clear if these rocks are
(Thomas, 1988d). These compositionally and texturally genetically related to the Margate Complex.
heterogeneous rock types are dominated by medium-
grained, pink-weathering, pale-grey gneissose garnet Tectonics and metamorphism
leucogranites in which the metamorphic growth of a The structural and metamorphic history of the entire
second generation of garnet poikiloblasts has produced region has been given in Thomas (1988a) and is
striking leucocratic depletion haloes in the surrounding summarized in Table 6. Smaller areas have been
granite. Thomas (1988a) grouped McIver's (1966) described by Otto (1977), at Marble Delta; Evans et al.
'Nicholson's Point Granite' within the Margate (1987), around Umzinto; Talbot & Grantham (1987),
Complex. This granite has given a Rb-Sr, whole-rock around Port Edward; and Mendonidis & Strydom
isochron age of 1011 ± 19 Ma (Eglington et al., 1986). (1989), between Glenmore and Southbroom . The main
Orthopyroxene-bearing, schistose, garnet granulite tectonic features of the area are shown in Figure 3. The
xenoliths, and biotite-rich schlieren are common. These structural form lines indicated refer to the main,
probably represent locally derived fragments of country pervasive foliation (S2) which was produced during the
rock (Leisure Bay Gneiss Formation) and micaceous D2 deformational episode. This fabric, which is axial
restites, respectively . The granites of the Margate planar to F2 isoclinal folds, is locally accompanied by
Complex thus display typical S-type leucogranite shallow, southwesterly, or westerly plunging lineations.
features (Didier et al., 1982). The S2 fabrics have largely obliterated the earlier
Locally foliated , garnet leucogranite sheets similar to structural history, but in localized D2 low-strain zones,
those of the Margate Complex do occur north of the an earlier (Sl) foliation, refoliated by S2, is preserved.
Mellville shear zone. The largest of these form the cores This early fabric is axial planar to the first phase of folds
of two antiformal structures south and west of (F 1) recognized. Fl structures are locally preserved as
Hibberdene, namely the Stiebel Rocks and Kloof End small-scale, rootless, isoclinal folds in gneisses of, for

Table 6 Structural and metamorphic history of the southern part of the Natal Province (vertical lines indicate
approximate time-span of events)

Deformation and structure Metamorphism Stratigraphy Age (Ma)

Left-lateral transcurrent shearing, Waning temperatures,

S3 foliation, L3 lineation J retrogression
Post- to Late-
Warping around Oribi Gorge Suite Local pyroxene- tectonic
granitoid intrusions hornfels metamorphism granitoids or
~1000a, b

F3 folds, asymmetrical , varying style , Local prograde growth

downfolding of Mucklebraes Klippe of biotite; second
generation of garnet,
cordierite, sillimanite
Development of 'steep-belts' Amphibolite grade
JUXT APOSITION OF TERRANES, migmatization (Mzumbe ~ 1000a,c
Low-angle shearing in Mzumbe Terrane, Terrane) Syntectonic
F2 folds, S2 foliation, Granulite grade 'dry' granitoids
Lz lineation charnockitization
(Margate Terrane) I
Metabasites? ] 1024 ± 32d
F t folds, St foliation, local L t High-grade metamorphism Pre-tectonic I ?
lineation (rarely preserved) in both terranes granitoids J
(amphibolite-Mzum be)
(granulite? - Margate) Mapumulo /
Mzimkulu Groups

Ages after: a Eglington et al. (1986); b Thomas (1988b); c Nicolaysen & Burger (1965); d Evans et al. (1987)
S.Afr.J .Geol.1989,92( 4) 315

K \
30 0 15'E

1
o 10 20km

SCOTTBURGH

/ ~
Post-Karoo faults

Mylonites of unknown age

0
30 45'S / Transcurrent shear zones (°4 )

/'
\.,. .- . r
Other structural
discontinuities

/ Mellville Shear Zone (late 02?)

L,-...
c-..L .. /'
..-
IISteep belts" (02?)

///
/// Fabric trends (°2)
,;<
') Phanerozoic cover rocks
'.

EZJ Late- to post-tectonic granitoids

TRANSKEI 'b EDWARD V~I

/- Gneisses of the Mzumbe Terrane

~
~:~;.-:: Gneisses of the Margate Terrane

~.~~ Gneisses of northeast Transkei

Figure 3 Tectonic map of southern Natal, showing the main structural features.
 S.-Afr.Tydskr.Geo1.1989,92(4)
316

example, the Mapumulo and Mzimkulu Groups, where To the south of Umzumbe, at Turtle Bay, the
they are locally refolded by F2 into type 3 (Ramsay, structurally higher leuco-enderbites and two-pyroxene
1967), convergent-divergent interference patterns. granulites of the Turtle Bay Suite are well exposed.
The pervasive S2 fabric typically dips at a moderate These rocks, at the structural base of the Margate
angle to the south. Large-scale F2 fold closures are rarely Terrane, are intensely imbricated by small-scale, low-
seen, though their presence can locally be inferred by angle dislocations in the uppermost part of the Mellville
alternating, elongate structural domains dominated by shear zone. These structures, together with a weakly
planar (S2) or linear (L2) fabrics. It is suggested that developed stretching lineation, again suggest a tectonic
these domains define F2 fold limb- and hinge-areas transport direction from southeast to northwest. This
respectively, though not on the large scale envisaged by indication of oblique movement implies that the
Evans et al. (1987). Medium-scale (several tens of Mellville shear is a structure which is possibly
metres) recumbent F2 folds are, however, locally intermediate between a lateral and frontal ramp. A
developed in, for example, the Mpambanyoni Gneiss detailed structural analysis is in progress to test this
Formation north of the Vernon Crookes Nature hypothesis.
Reserve. The axial planes of the folds dip to the south The shear zone is not, however, represented by this
and the axial planar (S2) foliation is accompanied by single, wide discontinuity. As a result of later (D3 )
well-developed, southwest-plunging stretching downfolding and topography, a tectonic outlier of
lineations. The asymmetry of these north-verging folds, granulite facies, two-pyroxene metabasites and calc-
coupled with syntectonic garnet porphyroblast rotations silicates (the Mucklebraes Formation) is preserved in an
and S-c fabric relationships, suggests a southwest to F3 synform on the hills surrounding Mucklebraes. These
northeast (updip) sense of movement, and structural rocks are identical to those structurally overlying the
discontinuities (indicated on Figure 2) in this area can marbles and calc-silicates of the Marble Delta Formation
possibly be interpreted as D2 thrusts. Small-scale, at Marble Delta, some 15 km to the southwest. This
anastomosing discontinuities in the pink acid gneisses in structure is apparently an erosional klippe of Margate
the postulated D2 thrust zones are often sheathed in Terrane granulites overlying Mzumbe Terrane
syndeformational, lineated, fibrous sillimanite, amphibolites (Figure 4). The poorly exposed base of the
indicating that the deformation took place under high- klippe is marked by an approximately 150 m-wide, zone
temperature conditions. These low-angle structures may of intense shearing which has resulted in the tectonic
be temporally related to the juxtaposition of the interleaving of amphibolite and granulite-grade rocks, in
Mzumbe and Margate Terranes themselves, and hence a flat-lying, discontinuity which lies above the basal
the development of the Mellville shear zone, which Mellville shear. This structure has been tentatively
constitutes the boundary between them. named the Mucklebraes thrust. The east-west-trending
The Mellville shear is a broad zone of intense S2 synform/klippe at Mucklebraes is flanked by two
foliation development. This fabric, which is sub- corresponding antiforms, the cores of which are
horizontal, or southerly dipping, over a large area of the occupied by garnet leucogranite of the Margate Complex
southern part of the Mzumbe Terrane, is strongly (Figure 4). These intrusions, which Thomas (1986)
developed in the grey orthogneisses of the Mzumbe considered to be two separate plutons, are now
Suite (Thomas, 1989a). It progressively intensifies interpreted as the roof of a single sheet which has been
towards the south, as the Margate Terrane is intensely foliated in the Mellville shear.
approached. Similarly, the mafic dykes of the Equeefa In contrast to the generally shallow-dipping,
Suite swarm become progressively more sheared compressional, tectonic regime which characterizes the
towards the south. In addition, they are rotated from D2 deformation, the S2 fabric is locally deformed into
their characteristic northeast trend into an east-trending, elongate 'steep belts' (Figure 3).
sub-horizontal attitude. Thus the Mellville shear zone as These approximately northeast-trending zones of
such, is so broad, and has such gradational margins, that intense, vertical or near-vertical foliation have the
its representation on a geological map, particularly in geometry of transcurrent shears with well-developed
areas of high relief, is virtually impossible. The actual shallow southwest-, or more rarely, northeast-plunging
'core' of the shear zone, which brings together the rocks stretching lineations. No predominant sense of
of the two terranes, is well exposed in the beach section movement has yet been identified. A particularly major
between Mellville and Umzumbe (Figure 1). At steep-belt, comprising at least three sub-parallel, vertical
Umzumbe Beach in the north, the shear is marked by a shear zones can be traced for over 50 km in the northern
very intense, shallow-dipping, planar fabric in the part of the area (Figure 3). The timing of, and magnitude
Mzumbe orthogneisses. In a preliminary structural of displacement along, the steep belts is unclear. They
study, S-c fabric relationships indicate a general appear to have been locally warped around, and thus
southeast-over-northwest sense of movement but, pre-date, the large granitoid intrusions of the Oribi
unfortunately, stretching lineations are conspicuously Gorge Suite, but they affect syntectonic granites of both
absent. Nevertheless, rare, elongate hornblende and terranes. The zones are probably post-D2' but pre-D 3 in
plagioclase grains locally define a weak lineation which age.
plunges to the southeast (after the effects of later F3 The D3 deformation itself is characterized by folds
warping are removed). The structure of this area is with varying styles throughout the area. They are not
illustrated by a schematic cross-section in Figure 4. associated with pervasive planar fabrics (Evans et al.,
S.Afr.J . Geol. 1989,92(4) 317

Ii
,.-....
W E C'-.
~
Z x
Lt') CD
Ci rn
CD
E c
0 0
U L-
L-
CD
CD
...... ...... "0
v
0 ..c ~
0'1 ...... U
L- 0 :.a
-
0 .0
~ .5
'--" CD a>
...... c .~
0
CD ':J 0 c::
:t::
c U1 rn N .g
,~ L- U
0
L- rn 0'10 v
V)
0'1 rn o CD .......
0 '«) o..c 0
0 0 c ..cU1 v
:J C) :t::
~
;.§
~
......
a>
.0
c;:= ....vro
o~
r:z:l rx:I c
CD
E Q) E
~
.:;<
~ L- :J
N ~2
0
Z
I ~ Ct: Cl
0
::2: rn_ a>
c ......
0
""'0..
W W I P Ct: [0 0 rn
:J
0..
ro
N rx:I ...... N
LL 2 f ,~

~ -
+ + L-
::g E-t + + C
CD L-
..c
......
V
..c::
00
0 0, + + 0 E-<
e + + + 0 E CD rn v
-.l
::x:: \
, \
+ +
+ +
+
+
'c
.0 0
0 Q)

L-
>
a>
0... ..c
U1
~
CD
0
L
.0
CD
E
L
0
4-
4J
c
E
L
0
4-
c
>.
.&
~
0..

V)

0
(l)
"0 ~ 32
0
« U1 v
ro
(.f) ..c >. Q) :J M M .D""'
v
W
U1.o ::2: ::2: Lt- Lt-
« ~
(t::
u
\ ::l

\
m \

~ ~~\ ~
W
-.lW
::x:: 0...
uo...
R \\\~\\\
~'\~~
\'
\
\ \ "0
c::
ro
v
::J::i
::?:::x::
r \ c::
0
N

""'
ro
v
..c::
V)
-.l
W(.f) ~
m~w
WU2 E) f
i=00 .......... ~
x
U10:::0 CD
...... a> c
0 c ~
0 Ci 4J 0 v
0'1
L- E 0 4J
0
-5
0
:::
0
u E
L E 0
V)
V)

0 L-

~ ""'
u
Lt-
~ ro
c::
rn
a>
:t:: rn en
rn
.g
c '«) u
'«) v

c"
Q) C
0 :t:: c 'f
L- Cl C) V)
0'1 :J V)

0 (.f) 0
>.
Q)
CD 0 0 rn ""'
u
C ...... :J ::n m a> ..c::
0
N
:.i:
0
~ 0
!Il a> CD .0
e Q)
u
0 ...... :t:: L- CD ~,.....;
L- r:z:l rx:I C (l)
a> 0l:J (/)v
0 E-t Z L- C .- rn 32
a>
< 0 L =e:J N .- 0 "'=t ""'
Q)5b
..c
U1 <
c.; Ct: ..c
u C)
0
t--
C CD
.- -.l
~ '--" ::2:
:J
~ .-
~~

~
~
Ct: .21 c::
L- rx:I + + + u. 0

II
r~/t + + +
CD
> ~ E-t ::..~f;.~ + + +
3: 0 Q)
~~i
U + + +
2 + + +
(/)
I~~; + + +

1987; Talbot & Grantham, 1987; Thomas, 1988a). The the Oribi Gorge Granitoid Suite, possibly pre-dates
large-scale dome and basin structures in which the klippe these F3 folds.
at Mucklebraes is preserved (Figure 4) were formed A later phase of predominantly left-lateral,
during this episode. The widespread warping of the transcurrent, ductile shearing (D4) is well developed in
regional fabric, which resulted from the emplacement of the Mzumbe Terrane (Thomas 1989b). These are
318 S.-Afr. Tydskr. Geo1.1989 ,92( 4)

generally southerly dipping zones, with stretching data are rather sparse, it appears that although M1/M2
lineations plunging at <10° to the west. They are sub- temperatures were considerably higher in the Margate
parallel to the trend of the post-D2 steep belts, and are Terrane, the estimated metamorphic pressures do not
most easily identified in the late-tectonic rocks of the indicate that this terrane represents a significantly
Oribi Gorge Suite. In these shear zones, essentially deeper crustal level, but a zone of anomalously high
unfoliated very coarse-grained rapakivi granites and thermal input. A very high geothermal gradient of ca.
charnockites are deformed into spectacular augen gneiss 50°C/km is thus indicated in the Margate Terrane, in
belts with mylonitic cores (Thomas, 1988b; 1989b). contrast to ca. 35°C/km in the Mzumbe block. The high
Both terranes have undergone comparable polyphase heat flux in the Margate Terrane probably resulted from
metamorphic histories but the single most important the injection of, and underplating by, great volumes of
difference between them is that the main, regional (M 2) relatively dry granitoid magmas. This is highlighted by
metamorphism was of higher grade in the Margate the widespread in situ charnockitization that
Terrane. Matthews (1981) noted this disparity in accompanied the M2 metamorphism in the Margate
metamorphic grade in general terms. He recognized an Terrane. Not only are the gneisses of the Mapumulo
arbitrarily defined 'Southern Granulite Zone' to the Group largely hypersthene-bearing, but leucogranites of
south of his 'Central Zone'. The metamorphic history of the Margate Complex are locally pervasively
the entire region has been reported in Thomas (1988a), charnockitized (Grantham, 1983, 1988; Thomas, 1988d).
and various aspects of smaller areas have been The process has been variously ascribed to dehydration
documented (Talbot & Grantham, 1987; Evans et ai., metamorphism under high P0 2 (Grantham, 1988) or by
1987; Thomas, 1988a; Mendinidis & Grantham, 1989). high PC0 2 and volatile flushing (Andreoli & Hart,
Only points relevant to the discussion on the two 1984), possibly facilitated by the large volumes of marble
terranes will be mentioned here. In summary, the Dl in the Margate Terrane (Thomas, 1988d). This high
deformation was accompanied by at least amphibolite temperature 'dry' metamorphism contrasts strongly with
facies metamorphism (M 1) throughout (Thomas 1989a), the lower temperature hydrous metamorphism, which
and probably granulite facies in the Margate Terrane gave rise to extensive partial melting and migmatization,
(Grantham, 1983). The main regional dynamothermal north of the Mellville shear. The age of this
metamorphism, designated M2 by the above workers, metamorphic event is quite tightly constrained to ca.
accompanied the early stages of the D2 deformation. 1000 Ma (Nicolayson & Burger, 1965; Eglington et ai.,
The M2 metamorphic PIT conditions for both terranes 1986).
have been preliminarily quantified. Evans et ai. (1987),
using the varied mineral parageneses of the Late- to post-tectonic granitoids
heterogeneous gneisses of the Mapumulo Group around The late- to post-D 2 suites constitute a varied lithological
Umzinto in the Mzumbe Terrane along with limited assemblage of weakly- to unfoliated granitoids including
garnet-cordierite mineral chemistry, estimated peak M2 a leuco-granodiorite (the Ingwe Granodiorite), biotite
metamorphic temperatures to be ~700°C at 6-8 kb. The microgranite plutons and sheets (the Belmont Suite),
widespread migmatization that accompanied M2 in the
alkaline syenitoids (the Sezela Suite), and a major suite
Mzumbe Terrane furthermore implies metamorphism
of batholiths and plutons of a typical Late Proterozoic
under conditions of high P H 20. Localized higher
rapakivi granite/charnockite association (the Oribi
temperature metamorphism in this terrane, manifested
Gorge Suite). With the exception of the Belmont and
by the sporadic growth of hypersthene poikiloblasts in
Oribi Gorge Suites, these granitoids are represented by
semi-pelitic gneisses of the Quha Formation, is
one or two plutons each so that their distribution is
interpreted as a contact metamorphic effect adjacent to
naturally limited.
large intrusions of the Oribi Gorge Granitoid Suite
(Thomas, 1988b). The rocks of the Belmont and Oribi Gorge Suites,
Bohlen & Boettcher (1981), using orthopyroxene however, occur throughout the entire area. Thus, for
compositional data reported by Howie & Smith (1966), example, major bodies of the late-tectonic Oribi Gorge
calculated metamorphic conditions in southern Natal Suite which have been identified occur from Transkei in
(Margate Terrane) to be in excess of 750°C at 4,6 kb. the south (Port Edward pluton) to the Lovu River in the
Grantham (1983), using pyroxene and garnet-cordierite north (KwaLembe batholith). The suite also probably
thermobarometry calculated peak M1/M2 conditions to includes the megacrystic granitoids and charnockites of
be up to 850°C at 4,8-6,8 kb for the Leisure Bay Gneiss the Valley of Thousand Hills and those of the Stanger-
Formation. The fayalite-sillimanite-spinel parageneses Mapumulo area (Thomas, 1988b). This has the
reported in Thomas (1988a) and the kornerupine- important implication that the entire area was acting as a
granidierite-tourmaline assemblages recorded from a single tectonic unit by the time of their emplacement.
locality near Port Shepstone by De Villiers (1940) However, the age of this important suite of rocks is
indicates similar high metamorphic temperatures problematical, with certain plutons apparently giving
(Lonker, 1988). In contrast to the Mzumbe Terrane, this ages of both ca. 1000 Ma and ca. 850 Ma (see discussion
granulite facies metamorphism was accomplished under in Thomas, 1988b).
low P H 20 conditions, as shown by the virtual absence of
migmatites south of the Mellville shear zone. Discussion and conclusions
To conclude therefore, even though the quantitive A tectonostratigraphic terrane is generally defined by
S.Afr.l.GeoI.1989,92(4) 319

two criteria. Firstly, the geological history of the rocks in terranes at the present level of erosion. Nevertheless,
a terrane is markedly different from that of the adjoining the structural sequence in the Mellville shear zone,
areas, and, secondly, the terrane must be fault/ where the granulite facies Margate Terrane tectonically
discontinuity bounded (Cox & Hart, 1986). Beck et al. overlies the amphibolite grade Mzumbe Terrane does
(1980) recognized two types of terrane: 'stratigraphic suggest that the former possibly represents a somewhat
terranes' bounded by unconformities and 'disrupted deeper structural level. Added to this, the very wide,
terranes' bounded by faults. The proposed terranes in ductile Mellville shear zone in the south, contrasts with
southern Natal adhere to both of the basic definitions the tectonic style further north, in the central parts of the
and furthermore conform to the 'disrupted terrane' Mzumbe Terrane, which is characterized by narrower D2
category of Beck et al. (1980). The terrane concept has discontinuities with associated recumbent, asymmetrical
been widely used in the understanding of the complex folds. This 'thinner-skinned' tectonic style does indicate
histories of many Mesozoic, Palaeozoic and, more
that the northern areas may represent slightly shallower
recently, Proterozoic orogenic belts. It is now generally
crustal levels. Clearly, much more detailed
accepted that many cordilleran-type orogenic belts are
thermobarometric work on the main, M 2, regional
made up of a 'collage' of tectonostratigraphic terranes.
These are thought to represent the accretion of metamorphism is necessary.
successive volcano-sedimentary arcs which were brought The extensive northeast-trending 'steep belts' which
together by plate tectonic processes and welded by are particularly important in the northern part of the
episodic granitoid intrusion (Coney et al., 1980; Mzumbe Terrane, represent a major episode of
Nockleberg, 1983; Pigram & Davies, 1987). transcurrent shearing which post-dated the D2
In southern Natal, the granulite facies, Margate deformation. They represent the ductile response to
Terrane in the south, with its distinctive Mzimkulu lateral relative motions of crustal blocks after terrane
Group gneisses and older pre- and syntectonic juxtaposition. Thus, the structural evolution of this part
granitoids, was accreted to the southern margin of the of the Natal Province is seen in terms of compressional
similarly distinct, amphibolite facies, Mzumbe Terrane tectonics, giving rise to ductile thrusting with related
to the north, during the latter stages of the main D2 shear folds and fabrics, prior to polyepisodic,
deformation. The deep-level root of the suture is transcurrent ductile shearing with related folds and
represented by the wide, shallow-dipping, Mellville fabrics. This is analogous to the similarly aged Grenville
shear zone which appears to show a generally southeast belt of the northern hemisphere which has been
to northwest sense of movement. A local topographic described as a 'megashear' of continental proportions,
high, coupled with later F3 downfolding has preserved a resulting from micro-plate collision and jamming (Baer,
higher-level discontinuity at the base of the Mucklebraes 1982).
synform. This has resulted in the preservation of an Models of Proterozoic continental accretion by
outlying klippe of granulite facies metabasites and calc- relatively juvenile crust, with little or no reworking of
silicates of the Margate Terrane overlying amphibolite Archaean material, have been proposed for the
facies gneisses of the Mzumbe Terrane. There is no Namaqualand Metamorphic Complex (eg. Barton &
indication whatsoever of the displacement involved
Burger, 1983) and for the Natal belt by Cain (1975),
along the Mellville shear zone. In addition to a dearth of
Eglington et al. (1986) and Eglington & Harmer (1987).
inland outcrop, the Mellville discontinuity is poorly
Although the ages of individual granitoid units in Natal
preserved because it has acted as a zone of crustal
remains the subject of some debate, the model presented
weakness which has allowed the subsequent intrusion of
granitoids of various ages, such as the Belmont and here supports this broad hypothesis.
Mvenyane plutons. These have largely obliterated the
shear zone itself and have served to weld the two Acknowledgements
terranes together (the Sierra Nevada batholith in The author thanks Mrs. B. Jacobs who typed the
Nockleberg, 1983). Nevertheless, the zone can be traced manuscript; the Chief Director, Geological Survey, for
sporadically west from Mellville, for some 45 km, by the permission to publish; Cobus Minnaar who translated
intermittent occurrences of the bimodal two-pyroxene the abstract into Afrikaans and Enock Mkhize for
granulite and leuco-enderbite assemblage of the Turtle tramping around the rugged terrain (terranes) of
Bay Suite, which marks the northern margin of the southern Natal with me for many years. The constructive
Margate Terrane. criticisms of Mike Watkeys and Dawie Strydom are
The main, D 2, event produced the strong regional gratefully acknowledged.
pervasive fabrics, medium- to small-scale isoclinal folds,
and apparently gave rise to local thrusting in the
References
Mzumbe Terrane under sillimanite-grade conditions.
This major period of crustal shortening is considered to Andreoli, M.A.G. & Hart, R.l. (1984). Evidence for late
be the direct result of prodigious compression caused by orogenic penetration of U- Th- REE-enriched fluids in
the northward collision and subsequent docking of the some Kibaran anorthosite-granulite terranes from
Margate Terrane with the Mzumbe Terrane. The sparse Mozambique, Malawi and South Africa. Abst., Conference
published M2 thermobarometric suggests that there is no on Mid to Late Proterozoic Lithosphere Evolution,
great difference in crustal level represented by the two Precambrian Research Unit, Cape Town, 17-18.
 S.-Afr.Tydskr.Geol.I989,92(4)
320

Baer, A.J. (1982). A Grenville model of Proterozoic plate Matthews, P.M. (1981). Eastern or Natal sector of the
tectonics, 353-385. In: A. Kroner (Ed.), Precambrian Plate Namaqua-Natal mobile belt in southern Africa, 705-715.
Tectonics. Elsevier, Amsterdam, 781 pp. In: Hunter, D.R. (Ed.), Precambrian of the Southern
Barton, E.S. & Burger, A.J. (1983) Reconnaissance isotopic Hemisphere, Elsevier, Amsterdam, 882 pp.
investigations in the Namaqua Mobile belt and implications McIver, J .R. (1966). Orthopyroxene-bearing granitic rocks
for Proterozoic crustal evolution - Namaqualand from southern Natal. Trans. geol. Soc. S. Afr., 69, 99-117.
geotraverse, 45-66. In: Botha, B.J.V., (Ed.), Mendonidis, P. & Grantham, G.H. (1989). The distribution,
Namaqualand Metamorphic Complex. Spec. Publ. geol. petrology and geochemistry of the Munster Suite, South
Soc. S. Afr., 10, 198 pp. Coast, Natal. S. Afr. J. Geol., 92, 377-388.
Beck, M., Cox, A. & Jones, D.L. (1980). Mesozoic and ____ & Strydom, D. (1989). Tectonic history of Proterozoic
Cenozoic microplate tectonics of western North America. granulite gneisses between Glenmore and South broom ,
Geology, 8, 454-456. southern Natal. S. Afr. J. Geol., 92, 352-368.
Bohlen, S. & Boettcher, A.L. (1981). Experimental Nicolaysen, L.O. & Burger, A.l. (1965). Note on an extensive
investigations and geological applications of orthopyroxene zone of 1 000 million year old metamorphic and igneous
geobarometry. Amer. Mineral., 66, 951-964. rocks in southern Africa. Sci. Terre, 10, 497-516.
Cain, A.C. (1975). A preliminary review of the stratigraphic Nokleberg, W.l. (1983). Wallrocks of the central Sierra
relationships and distribution of metamorphism in the Nevada batholith, California: A collage of accreted
northern part of the Natal-Namaquarides, South Africa. tectonostratigraphic terranes. Prof. Pap., U.S. geol. Surv.,
Geol. Rundsch., 64, 102-216. 1255,28 pp.
Coney, P.J., Jones, D.L. & Monger, l.W.H. (1980). Otto, J.D.T. (1977). The geology and petrology of the Marble
Cordilleran suspect terranes. Nature, 288, 329-333. Delta. Ann. Univ. Stell., Ser. Al (Geol.) 2,249-365.
Cox, A. & Hart, R.B. (1986). Plate Tectonics: How it Works. Pigram, c.J. & Davies, H.L. (1987). Terranes and accretion
Blackwell Scientific Publications, Palo Alto, 392 pp. history of the New Guinea orogen. BMR J. Austr. Geol.
De Villiers J.E. (1940). Iron-rich kornerupine from Port Geophys., 10,193-211.
Ramsay, J.G. (1967). Folding and Fracturing of Rocks.
Shepstone, Natal. Mineral. Mag., 25, 550-556.
McGraw-Hill, New York, 568 pp.
Didier, J., Duthorn, J.L. & Lameyre, J. (1982). Mantle and
South African Committee for Stratigraphy (SACS) (1980).
crustal granites: genetic classification of orogenic granites
Stratigraphy of South Africa. Part 1 (Comp. L.E. Kent).
and the nature of their enclaves, 125-132. In: Brousse, R.
Lithostratigraphy of the Republic of South Africa, South
& Lameyre, J. (Eds.), Magmatology, J. Volcanol.
West Africa/Namibia, and the Republics of
Geotherm. Res., 14.
Bophuthatswana, Transkei and Venda. Handbk. geol. Surv.
Eglington, B.M. & Harmer, R.E. (1987) Sr isotopes in
S. Afr., 8, 690 pp.
Proterozoic carbonate metasediments from Natal:
Talbot, C.l. & Grantham, G.H. (1987). The Proterozoic
constraints on the formation of the Natal Structural and
intrusion and deformation of deep crustal 'sills' along the
Metamorphic Province. S. Afr. J. Geol., 90, 514-519.
south coast Natal. S. Afr. J. Geol., 90, 520-538.
----, ---- & Kerr, A., (1986). Petrographic, Rb-Sr isotope and
Tankard, A.J., Jackson, M.P.A., Eriksson, K., Hobday,
geochemical characteristics of intrusive granitoids from the
D.K., Hunter, D.R. & Minter, W.E.L. (Eds.), Crustal
Port Edward-Port Shepstone area, Natal. Trans geol. Soc.
Evolution of Southern Africa, Springer-Verlag, New York,
S. Afr., 89, 199-213. 523 pp.
Evans, M.J., Eglington, B.M., Kerr, A. & Saggerson, E.P. Thomas, R.J. (1985). Report on areas 3030 AD, CA, CB, CD
(1987). The geology of the Proterozoic rocks around Umzinto and part of BC/D, with special reference to the Protorozoic
southern Natal, South Africa. S. Afr. J. Geol., 90, 471-488. ' basement rocks of the Natal Mobile Belt. Unpubl. Rep.
Gevers, T.W. (1941). Carbon dioxide springs and exhalations geol. Surv. S. Afr., 158 pp.
in northern Pondoland and Alfred County, Natal. Trans. ---- (1986). Supracrustal-granitoid relationships in the Natal
geol. Soc. S. Afr., 38, 233-301. sector of the Namaqua-Natal Mobile Belt in the
Grantham, G.H., (1983). The tectonic, metamorphic and Harding-Margate-Sezela-Highflats area, southern Natal.
intrusive history of the Natal Mobile Belt between Glenmore Ext. Abstr., Geocongr. '86, Geol. Soc. S. Afr.
and Port Edward, Natal. M.Sc. thesis (unpub1.), Univ. Johannesburg, 1017-1020.
Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 176 pp. ---- (1988a). Geology of the Port Shepstone area. Expl. sheet
---- (1988). Mineralogical and geochemical variations 3030, (Port Shepstone) , geol. Surv. S. Afr., 136 pp.
associated with charnockitisation in the Nicholson's Point ---- (1988b). The petrology of the Oribi Gorge Suite: Kibaran
Granite, South Coast Natal. Ext. Abstr., Geocongr.' 88, charnockitic granitoids from southern Natal. S. Afr. J.
Geol. Soc. S. Afr., Durban, 199-202. Geol., 91, 275-291.
Howie, R.A. & Smith, J.V. (1966). X-ray-emission ---- (1988c). The Mzumbe Gneiss Suite: early grey
microanalysis of rock-forming minerals, V, orthogneisses from the southern part of the Natal structural
orthopyroxenes. J. Geol., 74, 443-462. and Metamorphic Province. Ext. Abstr., Geocongr. '88,
Joubert, P. (1986). Namaqualand - a model of Proterozoic Geol Soc. S. Afr., Durban, 637-640.
accretion? Trans. geol. Soc. S. Afr., 89, 79-96. ---- (1988d). Late Proterozoic granitoids of the Natal Structural
Lonker, S.W. (1988). An occurrence of grandidierite, and Metamorphic Province in the Port Shepstone area. Ext.
kornerupine and tourmaline in southeastern Ontario, Abstr., Geocongr. '88, Geol. Soc. S. Afr., Durban,
Canada. Contr. Miner. Petrol., 98, 502-516. 641-644.
S.Afr.J.GeoI.1989,92(4) 321

---- (compiler) (1988e). 1:250 000 Geological Series, area 2930 southern Natal. Winter Field School Guidebk., Geol. Soc.
(Durban) Geol. Surv. S. Afr., 1 sheet. S. Afr., 46 pp.
---- (1989a). The petrogenesis of the Mzumbe Gneiss Suite, a ---- & Mawson, S.A. (1989). Newly discovered outcrops of
tonalite-trondhjemite orthogneiss suite from the southern Proterozoic basement rocks in northeast Transkei. S. Afr.
part of Natal Structural and Metamorphic Province. S. Afr. 1. Geol., 92, 369-376.
J. Geol., 92, 322-338. ---- & Gain, S.B. (1989). The geological setting of gold
---- (1989b). Geological mapping of high-grade terranes in a mineralization at Dumisa, Natal. S. Afr. J. Geol., 92,
sub-tropical environment - the Proterozoic rocks of 410-419.