A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF LANDSLIDES AND GEOHAZARD ...

2.1.4 Geology
The greater part of Malawi is underlain by crystalline rocks of Pre-Cambrian to Lower-
Palaeozoic Age which are referred to the Malawi Basement Complex (Figure 2.3; Carter
and Bennet, 1973). At various localities in the north and south of the country, these rocks
are overlain from Permo-Triassic to Quaternary. Intrusive rocks of Upper-Jurassic to
Lower-Cretaceous Age, assigned to the Chilwa Alkaline Province, occur widely
throughout southern Malawi, and form a distinctive feature of the local geology. Large
tracts of plains are covered by various superficial deposits (Agnew and Stubbs, 1972).
The basement complex has undergone a prolonged structural and metamorphic
history. The Post-Basement Complex development of the country was dominated by
epeirogenic movements, faulting and the formation of the Malawi Rift Valley (Agnew
and Stubbs, 1972).
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