Abstract: |
Stratigraphically, the sequence range in age from Cenomanian to Middle Eocene and ranges in thickness from 565 to 856 m. The Sequence subdivided into eight formations from older to younger; Galala Fm. (Cenomanian), Wata Fm. (Turonian), Matulla Fm.(Coniacian- Santonian), Themed Fm.( Coniacian- Santonian), Sudr Fm.( Campanian- Maastrichtian),Thebes Fm.(Paleocene-Early Eocene) and Samalut Fm.( Middle Eocene).Lithology ,facies analysis ,paleontology, areal distribution and biostratigraphy of each formation have been discussed in details. The Themed Formation is newly introduced to represent the Coniacian- Santonian rocks in the central and northern parts in the study area and replace the Matulla Fm.in the south.
Based on the study of 450 thin sections, These microfacies subdivided into group and subgroups, the non-clastic group (including carbonates,phosphrites, silicious rocks and evaporites) while the clastic group (including sandstone and mud rocks). The facies analysis and sedimentary have been discussed based on lithology, sedimentary structures, faunal content, microfacies characteristic of each formation to interpret the deposition environments. The Galala Fm. started with shallow marine environment nearby continental shore grading upward To shallow shelf lagoon with restricted circulation and quiet energy,the Wata Fm. represented deposition in shallow open shelf lagoonal environments with quiet energy conditions , the Matulla Fm.was probably deposited in intercalated environments between sheltered lagoonal environment with low and high energy conditions, Themed Fm. Was probably deposited in subtidal zone of the inner and middle shelfs under quiet energy conditions, The Sudr Fm. most probably deposited in open shelf margin or basin margin with period regression, the Esna and Thebes formations was deposited in an outer shelf with low energy conditions and finaly,the nummulitic facies of the Samalut Fm. Is most probably deposited in an open marine with shoaling environments conditions and active wave. This represents the advent of the first regression or shallowing sequence phase in the latest phase in the Middle Eocene.
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