Intra-volcanic sedimentary rock in North Ethiopia

Intra-volcanic sedimentary rock
Stratigraphic range:
Ksad Addi Amyuq near Hagere Selam
TypeGeological formation
UnderliesAlaji Basalts
OverliesAshangi Basalts
Thickness60 m (200 ft)
Lithology
PrimarySilicified Mudstone
OtherDiatomite
Location
Coordinates13°39′19″N 39°10′23″E / 13.6552°N 39.1731°E / 13.6552; 39.1731
Approximate paleocoordinates0°N 0°E / 0°N 0°E / 0; 0
RegionTigray
CountryEthiopia
ExtentNorthern Ethiopian Highlands
Type section
Named byIt:Giovanni Merla
Intra-volcanic sedimentary rock in North Ethiopia (Ethiopia)

Between 29 and 27 million years ago, the extrusion of Ethiopia’s flood basalts was interrupted and deposition of continental sediments occurred. Inter-trappean beds outcrop in many places of the Ethiopian highlands. They consist of fluvio-lacustrine deposits, that are generally a few tens of metres thick. Often, these interbedded fluvio-lacustrine deposits are very visible because their bright colours strongly contrast with the basalt environment.