Abstract
A standard sequence stratigraphic scheme is proposed for the Maastrichtian-Ypresian deposits in the southern and central Western Desert of Egypt. This is relying on combined stratigraphic, sedimentological and planktic foraminiferal biostratigraphic studies of ten outcrops in the Abu Bayan, Beris, Kharga, Dakhla and Farafra areas. The outcrops signify three different facies associations: Garra El-Arbain, Nile Valley and Farafra, which are widely exposed in the Western Desert. They span the time interval from Maastrichtian to Ypresian. This interval is divided into eight depositional sequences, which are outlined by basin-wide sequence boundaries of different time span. These sequences are successively of early Maastrichtian, late Maastrichtian, mid-late Danian, late Selandian, late Thanetian, late-latest Thanetian, early Ypresian and early-late Ypresian ages. The hiatuses outlining these sequences are compared within Egypt to assess regional tectonic significance; and with Libyan, Tunisian, Arabian Plate, European data and global records for testing eustatic controls. They express the interaction and dual signatures of eustasy and regional tectonics. The latter is most evident in the sediments of the Farafra Oasis, which makes the inferred hiatuses extend for a much longer period than other areas. Thus, the present study enhances the age assignment of the Maastrichtian-Ypresian sequences and their boundaries, affords detailed information to perceive the paleogeographic evolution of the Dakhla Basin, and allows an explanation of its evolution in relation to eustatic sea-level changes.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call