Abstract provided by author:
The timing of continental break-up is diachronous along the passive margin. It occurred in discrete major segments, becoming younger to the north. Major segment boundary zones partition the timing of break-up. In the composite Cape Cross Segment Boundary Zone, basement fabrics interacted with subsequent rifting and led to a complex rift margin. Smaller examples of segment boundary zones are confined to the Luderitz Basin. Rift segments follow the Pan-African Fold Belt consistently along the passive margin. The segment boundary zones are interpreted as zones accommodating stresses developed in the rift system around the Luderitz Arch. There is no evident relationship between segment boundary zones of the Namibian passive margin and oceanic fracture zones