Overview
Identifiers
Inventory Number
3221DD1
Site Name
Holostratotype: Abrahamskraal Formation in Gamka River
Site Category
Geological
References
Reference Types
Book
Citation
SOUTH AFRICAN COMMITTEE FOR STRATIGRAPHY (1980). Stratigraphy of South Africa. Part 1: Lithostratigraphy of the Republic of South Africa, South West Africa/Namibia, and the Republics of Bophuthatswana, Transkei and Venda. Compiler: L.E. Kent. Handbook, Geological Survey of South Africa, No. 8, 690p.
Date Retrieved
Reference Types
Journal
Citation
COLE, D.I., JOHNSON, M.R. and DAY, M.O. (2016). Lithostratigraphy of the Abrahamskraal Formation (Karoo Supergroup), South Africa. South African Journal of Geology, vol. 119, pp. 415-424.
Reference Types
Other Publication
Citation
Geological Survey (1983). Geological map of Sheet 3220 Sutherland (scale 1:250 000). Publication, Geological Survey of South Africa.
Record Administration
Author
doug.cole
Post date
Tuesday, October 29, 2013 - 09:34
Last modified
Thursday, May 2, 2024 - 18:19
Location
Location
Mapping
-32.998511, 21.99851
Western Cape
  • Central Karoo
  • Prince Albert
Grading
Autoid
Grading - 225406
Submitted by
Submitted by doug.cole on 29/10/2013 - 09:59.
Grading
Grade IIIb
Grading Date
GradingComment

Geological section along the eastern bank low cliff of the Gamka River, 25 km south of Leeu Gamka. This covers the steeply-dipping (45 - 85 degrees) Abrahamskraal Formation and forms the holostratotype. The site corresponds with the top of the formation where the uppermost mudstone unit is overlain conformably by a disconnected series of laterally persistent sandstone bodies, which form the Poortjie Member of the Teekloof Formation. A holostratotype is an essential component of a defined stratigraphic unit and this locality should be classified as a local heritage site. Grading by: DOUG COLE

Significance criteria
Significance Categories
Understanding Natural or Cultural Heritage
Sphere of Significance
Local
Level
Medium
Significance Categories
Research, Teaching or Benchmark Site
Sphere of Significance
Local
Level
Medium
Statement of Significance

The top of the Abrahamskraal Formation holostratotype is well-exposed. Reddish-coloured mudstone 60 metres thick is overlain by sandstone 15 metres thick with an undulatory sharp base. The boundary between the Abrahamskraal Formation mudstone and Poortjie Member sandstone represents a change from a floodplain into a fluvial palaeoenvironment. The total thickness of the Abrahamskraal Formation at the holostratotype is 2532 metres.

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