Lithostratigraphy and planktonic foraminiferal biostratigraphy of the late Eocene-Middle Miocene sequence in the area between Wadi Al Zeitun and Wadi Al Rahib, Al Bardia area, northeast Libya

Abstract

The present study deals with the lithostratigraphy and planktonic foraminiferal biostratigraphy of the Late Eocene-Middle Miocene sequence in the Al Bardia area, northeast Libya. The lithostratigraphical studies carried out on three stratigraphical surface sections, namely Wade Al Rahib, Wadi Al Hash and Wadi Al Zeitun, led to the recognition of three rock units from base to top: (1) the Al Khowaymat Formation (Late Eocene-Early Oligocene); (2) the Al Faidiyah Formation (Late Oligocene-Early Miocene); and (3) the Al Jaghboub Formation (Early-Middle Miocene). The planktonic foraminiferal biostratigraphical analysis led also to the recognition of nine planktonic foraminiferal zones ranged in age from Late Eocene to Early Miocene with one larger foraminiferal zone of Middle Miocene age. These are, from base to top, as follows: Truncorotaloides rohri Zone (Late-Middle Eocene, Lutetian), Globigerinatheka semiinvoluta and Turborotalia cerroazulensis s.l. Zones (Late Eocene, Priaborian), Cassigerinella chipolensis/Pseudohasitgerina micra Zone (Early Oligocene, Rupelian), Globigerina ciperoensis ciperoensis, Globorotalia kugleri Zones (Late Oligocene, Chattian), Globigerinoides primordius Zone (Early Miocene, Aquitanian), Globigerinoides altiaperturus/Catapsydrax dissimilis and Globigerinoides trilobus Zones (Early Miocene, Burdigalian), and the larger benthonic foraminiferal zone, Borelis melo melo Zone (Middle Miocene, Langhian to Serravallian). The study of planktonic foraminifera proved the existence of a regional unconformity between the Early and Late Oligocene, with the Middle Oligocene deposits being absent (absence of Globigerina ampliapertura and Globorotalia opima opima Zones), and another, smaller unconformity located between the Late Eocene and Early Oligocene, in which the uppermost part of the Late Eocene is missing.