The present day drainage patterns of the Congo river system and their Neogene evolution

Abstract

Whilst the Congo Basin contains one of the world’s largest fluvial systems, little is known about the basin’s geomorphic evolution during the Cenozoic. The basin’s drainage patterns may provide insights into its geomorphic development during the Neogene. The juxtaposition of differing drainage patterns can be explained by the multi-stage evolution of the Congo Basin. The drainage pattern is influenced by several controls, such as lithology and tectonics, which dominate in some regions, with zones of overlap were controls inter-act. The evaluation of the drainage patterns in the context of the basin’s long wavelength geomorphology reveals a relative chronology of events. However, timings of key events are poorly known but evidence obtained using geoecodynamics constrains the ages of major river emplacements. The combination of geologic, geomorphic and phylogenetic data sheds light on the Neogene evolution of the Congo River System.