The Geology And Palaeogeomorphology Of The Northeast Winam Gulf

Abstract

A survey of the geology, tectonics -and structural setting of an area of about 880 square kilometres in the northeast portion of the Nyanza rift valley is presented as primary data in understanding the palaeolandscape preserved beneath the ambo and Kisumu Phonolite Formations. It is concluded that this part of the rift started to form In the middle Miocene and became more prominent in late Pliocene-early Pleistocene period . .1"'"\ fne more important of the studies concerning previous geological reports, and the various hypotheses of the rift are critically examined. Their role in the understanding of the genesis and evolution of the northeast part of the Nyanza rift valley is rev i ewed-,- The distribution of the ambo and Kisumu Phonolite Formations is described and their .. order is established from field evidence. The fossiliferous Miocene sediments and the Pleistocene deposits are discussed.