Abstract

The Benue Trough formed in close relation to the opening of the South Atlantic and experienced sea-level fluctuations of different magnitudes during the Cenomanian to Coniacian interval. We identify depositional environments from outcrop sections and a drilling as control record. Lines of evidence for the interpretation include facies analyses, foraminiferal assemblage composition (P/B-ratio) and the presence of planktonic deep-water indicators. While the analysis of the well data from the Dahomey Basin indicates a continuous deep-water (bathyal) environment, the succession in the Nkalagu area of the Lower Benue Trough evolved in a different and more complex way. Beginning with latest Cenomanian shoreface to shelf deposits, a long period of subsidence lasted until the middle Turonian when pelagic shales and calcareous turbidites were deposited at upper to middle bathyal depths. These conditions continued during late Turonian and Coniacian times. The general deepening trend of the Lower Benue Trough was mainly controlled by tectonic subsidence and was superimposed by eustatic sea-level changes, resulting in periodically changing palaeowater depths. We were able to identify eight sea-level rises and falls that can be attributed to 405 kyr eccentricity cycles. The amplitudes of the sea-level changes were most likely in the range of several tens to a few hundred metres. The deposition of carbonate turbidites at Nkalagu was probably triggered by eustatic sea-level lowstands.