Recognition of Early and Late Neoproterozoic supracrustal units in West Africa and North-East Brazil from detrital zircon geochronology

► Neoproterozoic metasedimentary rocks from West Africa and NE Brazil studied. ► Detrital zircon age patterns (ICP-MS) fall into two distinct groups. ► Both early and late Neoproterozoic metasedimentary rocks appear to be present. ► Neoproterozoic metamorphic zircon with low Th/U is present in a few samples. ► Parallels with preserved sedimentary strata of the Volta Basin, Ghana, discussed.