Confirmation that some rifts are localized on ancient suture zones

Our recent study of the distribution of Alkaline Rocks and Carbonatites (ARCS) and Deformed Alkaline Rocs and Carbonatites (DARCS) in Africa (Burke et al., 2003) has enables us to confirm the observation that in many cases intracontinental rifts are located on suture zones which mark places where ancient continents have collided. In our poster we illustrate the way in which the L. Tanganyika, L. Rukwa, L. Malawi and Shire rifts have been localized on suture zones. Suture zones and rifts have distinctive geophysical signatures. For that reason it may prove possible to identify previously unrecognized rifts and suture associations from regional geophysical information.