Figure explanation: Modeled basin geometry and time-line stratigraphy for the three rifting events responsible for the development of the Gabon-Cabinda margin: a) Berriasian, b) Hauterivian to middle Barremian, and c) late Barremian to early Aptian. Initial broadly-distributed continental rifting became more focussed with time as the main axis of extension migrated to the west. Abrupt jumps in the spatial location of extension as a function of time was responsible for the development of a double hinge zone system (the Eastern and Atlantic hinge zones). Flexural interactions between the hinge zones had a marked influence on the drainage and sedimentation patterns in and around the evolving margin and the uplift and reworking of earlier rift sediments. The Eastern hinge zone demarcates the eastern limit of the broadly-distributed Berriasian extension. The Atlantic hinge, located approximately 90 km west of the Eastern hinge, marks the eastern limit of Hauterivian extension. This second rift event was responsible for creating the accommodation space for the Outer basin Sediment Wedge (OSW). A third phase of extension reactivated both the Eastern and Atlantic hinge zones and was responsible for creating the accommodation space for the Marnes Noires Formation (and equivalent) source rock deposition across the Gabon-Cabinda margin. Given that the last phase of rifting to affect this margin occurred in the late Barremian-early Aptian, then this must also be the age of the ocean/continent boundary. To a first approximation, lithospheric extension appears to be depth-independent.