Opens in a new tab

Letter KGeology glossary

Karoo Basin

The Karoo Basin is a large sedimentary basin in South Africa, known for its extensive Permian to Jurassic sedimentary rocks and rich fossil record, including early dinosaurs and synapsids. The basin is important in studying the Permian-Triassic extinction event, the evolution of early terrestrial ecosystems, and the development of large continental basins.

Geological map of South Africa showing Karoo Supergroup formations
Fig. 1 Geological map of South Africa showing Karoo Supergroup formations

Source Catuneanu, O., et al. (2005). “The Karoo Basins of South-Central Africa.” Journal of African Earth Sciences, 43(1-3), 211-253.

join.me

Geology made clear, in your inbox.

Get clear, visual explainers on rocks, minerals, deep time, and the most fascinating parts of Earth science from Geoscopy.