Cretaceous and Tertiary of the Iullemmeden Basin in Nigeria (West Africa)

The Iullemmeden Basin (Mali-Niger-Benin-Nigeria) of tectono-epeirogenic origin was invaded several times by epicontinental transgressions during the Cretaceous and Paleocene.Three major subdivisions are recognized in the Nigerian section of the basin (the “Sokoto Basin”): (1) the lower, continental beds (= Continental Intercalaire) of Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous age, (2) intermediate marine and brackish water deposits and (3) “Continental T Terminal” of upper Eocene-Miocene age.The geology of the Iullemmeden Basin is reviewed and updated. The relationships between the “Continental Intercalaire” of francophone authors and the Illo and Gundumi Formations are analysed and the type sections of the latter described. It is suggested that the Illo and Gundumi Formations are lateral equivalents.Detailed information on the formations of the Maastrichtian Rima Group is presented. It is concluded that there is no age difference of consequence between the Paleocene Dange, Kalambaina and Gamba Formations.The epicontinental transgressions are interpreted as coming from the north-east, east of the Hoggar massif during the Cenomanian and Turonian and west of the Hoggar during the Maastrichtian and Paleocene. The Sokoto Paleocene molluscan fauna is considered to be terminal Paleocene to Eocene and somewhat younger than the Ewekoro association of coastal Nigeria.A new interpretation of the Continental Terminal is presented. The structural history of the Sokoto Basin is reviewed and partly re-interpreted in the light of new field evidence.