TITLE:
Kinematics Markers of the Oligocene Deformation of the Continental Terminal 3 (Ct3) in the Niamey Region (Southeastern Edge of the West African Craton)
AUTHORS:
Habsatou Ousmane, Amadou Salissou Abdoul-Ganiou, Maharou Hassan Ibrahim, Saley Hamidou Garba, Moussa Konaté
KEYWORDS:
Niamey Region, Oligocene, Continental Terminal 3, Mantle Dynamics, Deformation Markers
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
Vol.14 No.8,
August
31,
2026
ABSTRACT: This study focuses on kinematic markers of Oligocene deformation in the Continental Terminal 3 (Ct3) formation in the Niamey region (southeastern edge of the West African Craton). Previous work on the analysis of Oligocene deformation markers in Ct3 is fragmentary. The objective of this study is to identify synkinematic deformation structures in the Ct3 deposits and to determine the geodynamic context responsible for these structures. To achieve these objectives, a methodological approach integrating structural geology based on measurements of deformation structures in the field and the processing of these measurements using the Win-Tenseur program (version 5.8.9) was used. The various deformation markers identified, namely curved mirrors, curved striations, undulating grooves, and crescent-shaped tear figures, show the synlithification character of the Oligocene deformation of the Ct3. The analysis revealed two deformation phases that affected the terminal continental (Ct3), designated D1a and D1b. The extensive phase D1a, with a N50˚ orientation, resulted from mantle dynamics, and phase D1b, with a N170˚ extension direction, resulted from an extensive episode within the compressive regime that occurred during the collision between Africa and Europe.