PRELIMINARY STRATIGRAPHICAL CLASSIFICATION OF THE CAINOZOIC SUCCESSION ON THE SOUTH AFRICAN CONTINENTAL SHELF

Summary

A preliminary regional classification of the offshore Cainozoic sediments around South Africa is presented, based on dated seafloor samples and seismic reflection structural data. Formational names replace an earlier suffix notation, and correlation between the strata in the Orange and Agulhas basins is suggested. Where known, facies details are summarized. Early, mid-and late-Tertiary sea-level movements can be correlated on a regional scale and can be equated with episodes recognized in the onshore successions.