Dwyka Series

rock unit, Africa

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June 25, 2026

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The Dwyka Series is a geologic unit within the Karoo System in Africa, dating back to the Early Permian period, approximately 299 to 252 million years ago. This series is characterized by glacial deposits, including tillites, found across southern Africa, Namibia, Madagascar, and parts of the Congo Basin and Gabon. These glacial deposits are significant as they mark the transition from the Carboniferous to the Permian Period and are contemporaneous with similar deposits found in South America, India, and Australia. The Dwyka Series forms the base of the Karoo System, which is known for its rich fossil record, particularly of reptilian life, and its commercially important coal and petroleum deposits.12

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Africa
The Paleozoic Era
…of subequatorial Africa, including the Dwyka tillite, which covers part of South Africa, Namibia, Madagascar, an extensive portion of the Congo Basin, and Gabon. At several places in South Africa, the Dwyka strata are covered by thin marine layers that serve to demarcate the transition from the Carboniferous to the…
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…of subequatorial Africa, including the Dwyka tillite, which covers part of South Africa, Namibia, Madagascar, an extensive portion of the Congo Basin, and Gabon. At several places in South Africa, the Dwyka strata are covered by thin marine layers that serve to demarcate the transition from the Carboniferous to the…
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Karoo System
…Ecca Series (Early Permian), and Dwyka Series (Early Permian).
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…Ecca Series (Early Permian), and Dwyka Series (Early Permian).
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