The sedimentology of diamondiferous deflation deposits within the Sperrgebiet, Namibia

In this thesis the processes that produced diamond placer deposits within closed endoreic basins along the west coast of Namibia are addressed. These deposits, first discovered in 1908, and documented by Kaiser in 1926, occur in an area of wind deflation between latitudes 26 and 28 degrees South. Salt rock weathering and aeolian abrasion has eroded elongated depressions that are up to 120 m deep, that happen to be parallel with the dominant wind flow from the south and south-southeast, which governs aeolian processes in the coastal tract. The velocity of winds from the south and south-southeast frequently averages 50 to 60 km/hour between October and March, and gusts at 80 to 90 km/hour. At these velocities, grains exceeding -1 phi (2 mm) in diameter are commonly entrained into the saltation load above stone pavement surfaces, making this an extremely active aeolian environment.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Geological Sciences

Year dc:date.issued

1989

Author dc:creator

• Corbett, Ian Bedford

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Minter, W E L

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/17696

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/17696