Contribution to the stratigraphy and facies analysis of the Upper Cretaceous-Lower Tertiary in northern Egypt

The analysis of the Upper Cretaceous-Lower Tertiary sedimentary successions in northern Egypt (Central Sinai, Eastern Desert, Western Desert) is based on measured surface sections, subsurface data, facies analysis and planktonic foraminiferal biostratigraphy. The Maastrichtian-Early Tertiary sequences in northern Egypt consist of monotonous argillaceous chalky limestones, dolostones, shales mudstones and sandstones. Planktonic foraminifera are the most abundant and strati graphically useful fossils, but their frequency varies depending on facies and position within the basin. An unconformity at the Upper Cretaceous/Lower Tertiary boundary is in places characterised by high concentrations of glauconite grains which are probably produced during a sea-level lowstand. Lithofacies, faunas and microfacies indicate that the Maastrichtian-Early Tertiary succession has been deposited in a tropical to subtropical low-energy, open marine setting which oscillated from middle to outer shelf conditions.