Abstract                

The field work was carried out in M’muock Fosimondi and its environs, which is located in this area is located in Wabane Subdivision at the center of Lebialem division in the South West Region of Cameroon. It’s located on the flanks of the Bamboutos Mountain.

The field work was carried out for 12days.Departure was on the 4th of March 2015 and we returned on the 17th March 2015.The geology of M’muock Fosimondi is characterized predominantly of igneous rocks which constitute about 70% of study area.

Which were mainly volcanic (andesite) and plutonic (granite) igneous rocks. Metamorphic rocks of about 20% and consisted of gneiss, and lastly sedimentary rocks which were mainly sandstone made up the remaining percentage of the study area. The geologic structures encountered were columnar joints, joints, veins, fold, fractures, and foliations.

CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

GLY498 which is the course code for field geology mapping. It’s a BSc course which is carried out by the 400 LEVEL final year students in the department of geology of the faculty of science in the University of Buea.

It’s an independent research field mapping project which Is carried out during the two weeks break after first semester exams in which young geologist of 400 level are been separated in to groups which are sent to different locations or areas for studies.

Groups arranged or created are given supervisors and in each group, group leaders are chosen who are to help manage the group in the presence and absent of their supervisors.

Supervisor’s guides the students or leads them for about 3 to 4 days maximum in the aim of showing them their area of study, what’s to be done and procedures used to carry out the field work. He also shows them were they are to lodge and give them few tips about the area.

This field mapping was carried out in M’mouck Fossimondi and its environs. It was carried out by 23 students for 12days, under the supervision of Dr. Mboudou and Dr.Fozoa.

1.1 Location Of The Study Area

M’mouck Fossimondi and its environs are study area is located in Wabane Subdivision at the center of Lebialem division in the South West Region of Cameroon.

Geographically Cameroon is located between latitude 20 and 130 of the equator and longitude 80 and 160 of the Greenwich Meridian.

It’s located on the flanks of the Bamboutus Mountain within the bamboutus caldera. It’s located along the Cameroon volcanic line (CVL).

The working is bounded by four beacon points, which are;

Bechati; Beacon point A coordinate 05º35’31”N 09º58’ 30”E with an elevation of 262m

Molah palace; Beacon point B coordinate: 05º40’05”N 09º55’11”E with an elevation 1764m

Awut; Beacon point C coordinate: 05º37 56”N 10º01’35”E

Fosimombin Market; Beacon point D coordinate: 05º40’05”N 09º58’49”E

1.2 GEOGRAPHICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE AREA

1.2.1 Climate

Climate refers to the prevailing weather conditions, the average weather or the regular variations in weather in a region over a period of time (years). It describes the temperature and amount of rainfall that is humidity within a terrain.

African continent. Its climate varies with terrain, from tropical along the coast to semi-arid and hot and the north. It’s characterized of four seasons which are subdivided into major and minor seasons.

We have the long dry season which spans from November to March and long rainy season from September to November while the short dry season which spans from June to August and the short rainy season which spans from March to June.

Rainfall in this area may reach a maximum of about 2500mm and an average temperature of about 200c. During the dry season temperatures may decrease to about 180c in the months of December to January.

The altitude of this area also has a great influence on the temperature and climate of this area as temperatures are generally low both at night and day. At Molah palace (were our base was located), temperatures were low during the day and at night which was accompanied with a foggy weather almost every time.

1.2.2 Vegetation

Vegetation refers to plants in general especially plants found in a particular environment. It’s made up of a collection of trees and grass.

The distribution of vegetation over the earth’s surface is not uniform due to some factors such as climate, biotic and human activities.

Our study area has two main types of vegetation; which are the Tropical savannah and the Tropical rain forest vegetation. This vegetation types vary with elevation. Areas such as Molar palace, Fosimombin, Awut to Mbelenka are characterized by the Tropical savannah vegetation which is made up of small tress, grass and few large trees.

Hills had a savannah vegetation type covered with grass, few small and large trees while valleys in these areas are characterized by much dense vegetation with a good number of trees and grasslands.

The plants that made up this savannah area were mostly cash crops and food crops which the villagers grow, and some small tress like cypress, with some long trees such as the eucalyptus and grass mostly found in this area was the Bahamas grass.

On the other hand we have the tropical rain forest type of vegetation which is characterized mostly of very large trees which dominates this area and few small trees and shrubs. This type of vegetation covers or starts form Molar palace towards Bechati.

1.2.3 Topography

It refers to the physical features of an area of land, especially the position of its rivers, mountains e.tc.

Our area of study lies within the bamboutus caldera which lies along the Cameroon volcanic line. This line is a dormant volcano that lies along the CVL and with its highest peak of about 2750m above sea level at Mbouda and it consists of hills and valleys whose elevations are more than a 1000m above sea level. Our area of study such as the Nteuchpei hill had an elevation of about 2091m and lowest elevation of about 262m at the Bechati market.

Areas such as squares, Chiefuncang palace, papa Benior compound e.t.c is equally undulating but with broad hilltops and gentle slopes suitable for intensive vegetable farming. Our area of study is generally noted with hills and a lot of valleys too which may have little or no plain areas noticed during the field work.

1.2.4 Drainage Pattern

Drainage pattern of an area is the intervention of central water logging aiming at soil improvement for agricultural production. Drainage systems are highly controlled by surface rock types, relief, the geomorphological and the geological history of the area.

Our study area generally has a poor drainage pattern due to the presence of hills and valleys with no major rivers or sea which could be described as dendritic due to the branching nature of the main stream.

Runoffs in this area are dried in some places and had a very low discharge in some areas due to the fact that it was the dry season.

Water levels of the streams are noted to be high during the rainy season and low during the dry season, this water level was also affected by usage of villagers living around the area which was used for irrigation; a process whereby water is supplied to an area of land through pipes to help improve the production of crops during the dry season were the is less or no rainfall. It’s also used for consumption by the villagers be it drinking or house usage.

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