Research Article

Facies Analysis and Depositional Environments of the Late Palaeozoic Coal-Bearing Madzaringwe Formation in the Tshipise-Pafuri Basin, South Africa

Table 1

Lithofacies identified in the Madzaringwe Formation.

Coarse grained lithofaciesDescription Fine grained lithofaciesDescription

Gcm Clast-supported conglomerate. Colour: light brownish to red. Matrix: mostly absent; fine-medium sand if present
Clasts: typically granule to pebbly sized, up to boulder size; poorly sorted; subangular to rounded
SfMassive to slightly laminated muddy sandstones
Colour: light grey, grey to khaki. Grain size: very fine to coarse grained sand, poorly sorted

Gmm Matrix-supported conglomerate. Colour: light brownish grey, reddish grey
Matrix: clay to sand; typically massive, occasionally laminated. Clasts: typically granule to pebbly sized; up to boulder size; poorly sorted; subangular to subrounded
FlLaminated siltstone and fine sandstone, with very small ripples. Colour: Khaki grey to khaki

SeCrudely stratified to massive sandstone. Color: light gray
Grain size: coarse to very coarse sand
FcMassive to laminated carbonaceous mudstone/shale. Abundant to rare carbonized plant material. Colour: grey to dark grey

StTrough cross-bedded sandstone. Colour: reddish brown, khaki to grey. Grain size: medium to coarse grained sand. Thickness is 0.1–2.0 mFsmSilt and mudstone. Colour: black. Occurring in backswamps

Sh Horizontally stratified sandstone. Colour: light Grey, khaki to reddish brown. Grain size: very fine to medium grained sandFm Mudstone and silt. Colour: black. Occurring in overbank and or drape deposits

SpSand, very fine to medium
Colour: reddish brown, khaki to grey. Grain size: very fine to medium grained sand
CCoal stringers, 1–7 cm thick; <2-3 m long. Colour: black. Occurring within mudstone, or black shale

SrSand, very fine to fine grained with ripples. Cross-laminated
Colour: reddish brown, khaki to grey. Grain size: very fine to fine grained sand

SmSand, very fine to coarse. Massive or faint lamination. Colour: reddish brown, khaki to grey. Grain size: very fine to medium grained sand

S1Sand, medium to coarse, may be pebbly. Colour: light grey, grey to khaki. Grain size: medium to very coarse sand