Title: Micromorphological Studies on the Weathering of Granite in Semi-Arid Lands; Northern Darfur, Republic of Sudan
Abstract: Near the city of Kutum (19º 21' N / 24º 40' E) at the margin of the Kutum Wadi, a characteristic inselberg landscape is developed on Palaeozoic granites. The study area is situated about 1,160 m a.s.1. and the climate is semi-arid with a mean annual precipitation of 316 mm, concentrated in summer, and mean annual temperature of 23.6º C (for the period 1947–1970). There is high rain-fall variability. Close investigation of the area raises the question of the types of weathering caused or cause the inselberg formation. In this respect, the relation between physical vs. chemical weathering is of special interest, as well as the possibility of dating these processes, a problem that has been discussed repeatedly for arid areas during recent years. The fresh, hypidiomorphic-structured Kutum Granite consists mainly of potassium feldspars and acid plagioclases, as well as quartz and biotite. Minor components include muscovite, chlorite, and ore minerals. Apatite, zircon, and other components occur as accessories. Microscopic signs of cataclasis and even mylonitisation resulting from tectonic pressure are frequently observed. An additional important non-pedogenic rock alteration is the sericitisation of some feldspar.
Publication Year: 1990
Publication Date: 1990-01-01
Language: en
Type: book-chapter
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 1
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