Sequence Stratigraphy and Paleobathymetry of the Lower-Middle Miocene Succession, Gulf of Suez, Egypt

Abstract

Abstract In the Gulf of Suez rift basin, the Miocene sequence is a significant hydrocarbon resource. An integration of the planktonic foraminifera, and benthic foraminiferal biofacies are data used to build a detailed and fine chronostratigraphic scheme for the lower part to middle part Miocene succession in the October Field, Gulf of Suez. The paleoecologic habits and paleobathymetry of benthic foraminiferal biofacies, as well as the planktic/benthic (P/B) ratios of the studied successions, are used to determine the paleoenvironmental conditions that are in effect during the deposition of the studied Miocene successions. Elphidium biofacies are representative of the inner shelf paleoenvironment, Nonion biofacies and Siphonina/Cibicides biofacies are representative of the middle shelf paleoenvironment, Bulimina and Uvigerina biofacies are representative of the paleoenvironment outer shelf. The paleoenvironmental interpretations and chronostratigraphic for data and the nature of stratigraphic relations are integrated to distinguish five depositional sequences in the studied section. These are two in the Aquitanian/Burdigalian, one in the Burdigalian-Langhian, one in the Langhian, and one sequence in the Serravallian ages. The sequence boundaries were marked by subaerial exposures and hiatuses. A detailed correlation between the distinguished sequence stratigraphic lower-middle Miocene frame and those established in and outside Egypt is attempted. The absolute time equivalents of the planktic foraminiferal zones are adjusted by comparison with the geologic time scale of Gradstein et al. 2022. This comparison points out a more or less compatible correlation, with a few deviations that may be related to tectonic events that led to the absence of some recorded depositional sequences.