Sequence stratigraphy and depositional environments of Late Cretaceous–Early Palaeogene succession, North Eastern Desert, Egypt

Abstract

The foraminiferal contents and geochemistry of 199 samples collected from three surface sections in the southern Galala Sub-basin, North Eastern Desert of Egypt, have been studied in detail. From south to north these sections are situated at Gebel Tarboul, Wadi Tarfa, and Bir Dakhl. The results allow reconstructing of the depositional environments and high resolution sequence stratigraphy of the Upper Cretaceous–Palaeogene succession. The quantitative and qualitative distribution patterns of benthic foraminifera of the Upper Cretaceous–Lower Palaeogene succession suggests a depositional environment from outer neritic to bathyal, at 200 to ~700 m water-depth. Based on sequence stratigraphic analyses, ten complete third order depositional sequences have been recognized. These depositional sequences from base to top are as follows: CaSGB-1 sequence, CaSGB-2 sequence, MaSGB-1 sequence, MaSGB-2 sequence, DaSGB sequence, Da/SeSGB sequence, SeSGB sequence, ThSGB sequence, Sp/YpSGB, and YpSGB sequence. These sequences are controlled by both eustatic sea-level changes and tectonic movements that prevailed during deposition.