| Abstract: | In the Amazon region there is a trough-like east-west feature hidden by young sediments. In the trough itself, which is transversely split up, there are Palaeozoic strata which have survived because of the subsidence. This probably took place when the Gondwana continent broke up whereby basaltics intruded. These are attributed to the Jurassic period although they are normally found as sills in the Palaeozoic sediments of the Amazon region.In addition, the Amazon Graben exhibits dislocation by a transcurrent fault system such that the northern block (= Guayana Shield) is transposed considerably to the west when compared with the southern block (Brazilian Shield). The Amazon transcurrent fault is a left-handed shearing system.Relations between the Amazon shearing system and the West African Bénoué Graben, between the sigmoidal bulge of the western South American shore line and the West African continental margin and the proximity of the equator are discussed. |
