A Report of Geological mapping of Area G, in Igayaza Isingiro district south western Uganda.
Abstract
This report contains compilation of the introduction, goal, methodology, findings, interpretations, conclusions, and recommendations from my geological mapping exercise from 29th January, 2022 to 8th February, 2022 in Isingiro district.
Aimed at getting practical experience in geological field mapping, from field preparation through geological reporting, my group (Group G) gathered data by traversing along the boundaries of several lithologies, such as quartzites, shales, and sandstones, as well as establishing stations that assisted in the construction of stereograms and density diagrams for various structures found. Structures such as folds, joints, beds, and faults aided in understanding the area's deformational history.
The results obtained included, mineralogical composition of rock samples from the study area, as well as the metamorphism of the area, which was primarily Regional and Low-Grade Metamorphism, were availed through petrographic work. The area also has important minerals such as tin, which need to be further researched and developed in order to increase and strengthen Uganda's economic strength. The stratigraphy of area G consists mainly of shales (red and gray), quartzites which are intercalated with shales in most of the areas.
The structures mapped in area G include; beds, joints, faults, folds, veins, boudins, cleavage and these suggest changes in stress regimes in the region. The beds were predominantly striking NE-SW and the joints had two strike directions that is NW-SE (dominant) and NE-SW. The stratigraphy of area G also coincides mostly with that of South Western Uganda which consists of quartzites, shales and a few conglomeritic lenses and is part of the Karagwe -Ankolean System.
It was deduced that the rocks of Igayaza belong to the Karagwe-Ankolean system, and that the K-A rocks are Precambrian in character due to the lack of fossils discovered during our mapping process and that the economic potential in the mapped area is mainly quarrying of the hard rocks like quartzites to obtain aggregates for road and house construction.