DEVELOPMENT OF A PASSIVE TRANSFORM MARGIN - COTE-DIVOIRE GHANA TRANSFORM MARGIN - ODP LEG-159 PRELIMINARY-RESULTS

The Cote: d'Ivoire-Ghana transform margin is bounded to the south by a prominent marginal ridge. ODP Leg 159 shipboard analyses on sediments from four sites document three distinct transform margin sedimentary and tectonic stages of evolution: (1) an intracontinental stage of tra nsform faulting recorded in deformed lacustrine to marine siliciclasti c sequences; (2) a marginal ridge uplift stage, recorded by shallow wa ter limestones, appears coeval with the passing of a hot, oceanic spre ading center just south of the sediment wedge; and (3) cooling subside nce of the transform margin recorded in bathyal to abyssal sediments e mphasizes a passive margin stage, These results are consistent with pr eviously published models of evolution.