Carbonatitic volcanic ashes in Northern Tanganyika

In the Neogene volcanic province of Northern Tanganyika are surface limestones which cover large areas, despite variation and unsuitability of the bedrock. Field mapping has proved the existence of bedded carbonate tuffs dipping off Recent vents, and the field relationships and the trace element analyses prove the tuffs to be carbonatitic. Trace element analyses of some of the «surface limestones» show that they also have carbonatitic affinities, and the inference is that some, if not all, of the limestones are consolidated carbonatitic ashes. The presence of limestone in the area surrounding other carbonatite volcanoes is examined in the light of this evidence.