The source of the gold placer deposits found in Ghana is located in which region?

The correct option is Brazil.

Explanation

This question is based on the geological evidences supporting the Continental Drift Theory. It specifically refers to the correlation of placer deposits across continents that were once united as part of the supercontinent Gondwanaland.

Detailed Analysis:

• The Anomaly: The coast of Ghana (West Africa) is famous for rich placer deposits of gold. However, geologists noted a significant anomaly: there is an absolute absence of source rocks (gold-bearing veins) in the region to explain the origin of this gold.
• The Source Location: Geological studies established that the gold-bearing veins corresponding to these deposits are located in Brazil (South America).
• Geological Implication: This evidence suggests that the African and South American continents were once joined side-by-side. During that period, gold eroded from the Brazilian shield was deposited in the region that is now Ghana. The subsequent separation of the continents due to endogenic forces (continental drift) separated the source rocks from the depositional site.

Key Takeaway:
The correlation between the gold placer deposits of the Ghana coast and the gold-bearing veins of Brazil serves as a classic piece of evidence for the jigsaw fit of the African and South American continents.