Lithostratigraphy,Sedimentology and Provenance of the Balfour Formation(Beaufort Group) in the Fort Beaufort-Alice Area,Eastern Cape Province,South Africa

The Balfour Formation was subdivided into five members based on lithological variation that is characterized by alternating sandstone-and mudstone -dominated members.The sandstone dominated Oudeberg and Barberskrans members are composed of lithofacies that range from intraformational conglomerates to fine-grained sediments,whereas the mudstone dominated members(Daggaboersnek, Elandsberg and Palingkloof) are dominated by the fine-grained facies(Fm and F1).Petrography,geochemistry and palaeocurrent analysis indicated that the source rock of the Balfour Formation was to