Kongo: Regional Geodynamic and Karst areas

 

The study areas are primarily located in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Kongo Central, Mayombe, Kasai, Katanga, Kivu), and the Republic of Congo.

It focuses on three main disciplines: 

• The study of rock formations that develop underground cavities . These cavities have preserved large quantities of geological information that is often difficult to observe at the surface. By studying them, we gain valuable insights into the processes behind cavity formation and the climates that influenced their evolution. Caves are also unique ecosystems, home to numerous endemic species that require protection. 
• Beyond their ecological importance, caves have historically served as refuges and places of worship for human populations. Archaeological discoveries made by our teams are frequent and enrich our understanding of past societies. Karst areas are often recognized as remarkable sites worldwide, with potential as sustainable resources through geotourism. Our work contributes to documenting, protecting, and promoting these exceptional landscapes. 
• Increasing knowledge about cratons  (regions stabilized for more than 500 million years), particularly in Central Africa, and the surrounding orogens (mountain belts). We are specifically studying the evolution of geodynamics during the Precambrian (a geological period spanning from 4.6 billion years ago to around 500 million years ago) and the development of plate tectonics on Earth during this period, with a focus on metamorphic rocks. To achieve this, we use petrology, thermobarometry, structural, geochemistry, and geochronology. We are also interested in the links between geodynamics and the origins/remobilizations of mineral resources associated with cratons and orogens. Furthermore, we investigate the immense Congo River basin, in particular the tectonic movements that structured this part of the Earth’s crust over the last hundred million years. These movements led to major consequences, either on the formation of secondary deposits (supergene, oxidized), often very rich (e.g. Cu-Co in Katanga), or on the possible formation of deep oil reserves.

The “societal geology” theme is transversal. This component looks at how geology impacts society, natural management more broadly, public health, political economy, and governance.