Palynostratigraphy of the lower Palaeozoic, Cambrian to Silurian, sediments of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

Abstract

The thick Lower Palaeozoic sequences present in the petroleum exploration of Jordan have been examined for their palynological content. These sediments range in age from Cambrian to Late Silurian. Continental sandstones predominate throughout the Cambrian whilst the younger part of the sequence consists mainly of marine shales and sandstones. Rich assemblages of acritarchs have been recorded throughout. These are associated with chitinozoa in the Ordovician and Silurian and miospores in the upper part of the sequence (Silurian). A scheme of biozones is proposed, which is correlated with similar schemes established across North Africa and elsewhere. The data used originates from three main areas: Risha, Wadi Sirhan and Northern Highlands.