Integrated 3D modelling of the lithospheric mantle under the West and Central African rift system and surronding.

We present the result of an integrated petrological and geophysical 3D modelling of the lithospheric mantle over the West and Central African rift system. For modelling, the integrated geophysical and petrological forward modelling software LitMod3D has been used. The initial geometry of the model is based on the Moho depth and base lithosphere of the global model WINTERC-G, and the sediment thickness from the global model Crust1.0 and the available seismic Moho depth have been used for validation. The model is fitted to satellite gravity gradients and the Bouguer anomaly calculated from the XGM2019e-2190 model. Different classes of mantle composition data have been considered and by iteratively trying to compute the best fitting between different modelled and observed signals, the final models of density, velocity and temperature distributions have been estimated. 

The model shows lateral transitions curved shape, extending horizontally for about 50km, between the West and Central African rift system, and the surrounding Congo craton and West African craton. More in detail, the results show the lateral and vertical variation of density, temperature and velocity in respect between the different lithospheric mantle domains. We notice the absence of a clear signature of the Saharan meta-craton, making this area more similar to the West and Central African rift system than the bordering cratons. Moreover, the modelled density profile shows a continuous depth dependent gradient under the rift system, but three steps in the depth profile under the cratons, suggest a layering of the lithospheric mantle with respect to its density gradient, which can be interpreted as metasomatism of the lower lithospheric mantle.