Evaluation of tectonic activity in the Kopongo area, southwestern Cameroon: insights from geomorphic indices, remote sensing, and GIS

• Published in: Arabian journal of geosciences Vol. 16; no. 3
• Main Authors: Abou’ou Ango, Thierry, Yannah, Mero, Hamdouni, Rachid El, Njom, Bernard, Ondoa, Joseph Mvondo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.03.2023; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Anomalies; Area; Cratons; Cretaceous; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth science; Earth Sciences; Evaluation; Geographic information systems; Geographical information systems; Geomorphology; Information systems; Lithology; Lithosphere; Mechanical properties; Neotectonics; Original Paper; Passive margins; Quaternary; Remote sensing; Shape; Tectonics; Uplift; Valleys; Volcanic activity; Cameroon; Kopongo; Uplift rates; Nyong Group; Active tectonics; Geomorphic indices; Tilting
• ISSN: 1866-7511; 1866-7538
• DOI: 10.1007/s12517-023-11242-2

Geomorphologic investigations were undertaken in the Kopongo region, located in the northwestern margin of the Congo craton. The study carry out on the Kopongo, a portion of the Cameroonian passive margin (3°53′–4°05′N, 10°06′–10°19′E), aims to examine the topographic and hydrographic anomalies through the use of geomorphic indices combined with geographic information systems, field observations, and literature data for the categorization of the relative index of active tectonics. Geomorphic and morphotectonic evaluations of this area have been carried out by implicating different geomorphic indices such as hypsometric parameters, relative tectonic uplift, basin shape, asymmetry factor, bifurcation ratio, and valley floor width to valley height ratio. The results obtained show that the region includes areas of high (14.89%), moderate (72.71%), and low (12.33%) tectonic activity zones. This inequitable distribution of the relative tectonic activity is caused by variations of tectonic uplift (0.16–0.68) and tilting (0.06–35.6). A strong correlation is seen between structural patterns and field morphotectonic indices such as river and channel anomalies, V-shaped valleys, hill tiltings, and young topographies. This indicates an influence of neotectonic uplift rates dating from the Cretaceous to the Quaternary. The origin of neotectonics along this passive margin correlates with the high volcanic activity along the Cameroon Volcanic Line, which is a consequence of the mechanical behavior of the lithosphere beneath West-Central Africa. The Kopongo area is more influenced by high and moderate tectonic activity. Thus, it appears that this area has been rejuvenated due to interactions with climate, lithology, and neotectonic activities.