They were continental rift and passive continental margin basins formed as a result of the break-up of Gondwana and the spreading of Atlantic Ocean.

• 西非海岸盆地群的形成和发育,与中生代以来大西洋裂开和后期的持续扩张作用有关,是冈瓦纳大陆解体和大西洋扩张形成的大陆裂谷和被动陆缘盆地。