| Summary: | Based on the comprehensive study of geology and geophysics in African continent, three types of lithosphere (craton-type, orogenic-type and rift-type) can be identified. Considering lithosphere discontinuities as the boundary, two first-order tectonic units (mainly cratonic-type in the west and rift-type in the east) are proposed. Different types of lithosphere can be divided into secondary-order and third-order structural units, and the blocks within lithosphere can be further divided into fourth-order structural units. The geological history, the formation process and significance of different types of lithosphere in African continent are briefly discussed.©2022 China Geology Editorial Office.
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