Precambrian basement character of Yemen and correlations with Saudi Arabia and Somalia

Abstract The Precambrian basement of Yemen occupies a key location in the Pan-African orogen of Gondwana. This paper reviews geological, isotopic and geochronological data and presents new Pb- and Nd-isotope data which help define distinct gneiss terranes within this basement, constraining correlations of these terranes with neighbouring regions of Saudi Arabia and Somalia. Existing whole-rock Pb- and Nd-isotopic data are also summarised. These data should facilitate a more objective assessment of the contribution of the Yemen Precambrian to Cenozoic magmatism associated with the opening of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.