Abu Qada Formations Research Articles

Integrated biostratigraphy and inter-regional correlation of the Cenomanian–Turonian deposits of Wadi Feiran, Sinai, Egypt

The Cenomanian–Turonian succession exposed in the Wadi Feiran, Sinai, Egypt, is composed of siliciclastic and carbonate sediments belonging to the Raha (at the base), Abu Qada and Wata formations. Biostratigraphically, the succession has been subdivided into five ammonite zones, which are coeval with five planktic foraminiferal zones. The foraminiferal zones are the Late Cenomanian Hedbergella planispira and Rotalipora cushmani, the Cenomanian–TuronianWhiteinella archaeocretacea , and the Turonian Helvetoglobotruncana helvetica and Marginotruncana schneegansi zones. The Whiteinella archaeocretacea Zone is subdivided into the Late Cenomanian Whiteinella brittonensis and Early Turonian Helvetoglobotruncana praehelvetica subzones. The ammonite zones are the Late Cenomanian Neolobites vibrayeanus and Vascoceras cauvini, and the Turonian Vascoceras proprium /Vascoceras obesum , Choffaticeras segne and Coilopoceras requienianum zones. The integration, chronostratigraphic position and correlation of the proposed biozones are discussed. The Cenomanian/Turonian boundary is located within the Abu Qada Formation, coinciding with the base of the Vascoceras proprium / Vascoceras obesum ammonite Zone and the Helvetoglobotruncan praehelvetica foraminiferal Subzone.

Lithostratigraphy and facies development of upper cretaceous carbonates in east central Sinai, Egypt

The Upper Cretaceous exposures in east central Sinai are represented by carbonate-dominated successions interbedding few sandstone, chert, shale and marl horizons. The recognised rock units are correlated with their counterparts commonly used in the Gulf of Suez region and central Sinai including from base to top: the Raha Formation, Abu Qada Formation, Wata Formation, Matulla Formation and the Sudr Chalk.

Cenomanian-Turonian boundary in Wadi Watir, southeastern Sinai, Gulf of Aqaba, Egypt

The foraminiferal content and microfacies characteristics of the Raha and Abu Qada Formations at Wadi Watir (in which the mausoleum of the Sheikh Attia is located) in southeastern Sinai, Gulf of Aqaba are discussed and illustrated. They help identify sea level fluctuations, establish a stratigraphic subdivision and suggest a shallow marine facies and a Cenomanian age for the Raha Formation and deeper marine facies and Turonian age for the Abu Qada Formation. The Abu Had Member (lower part of the Raha Formation) yields mainly arenaceous foraminifera of early to middle Cenomanian with some calcareous forms. The Mukattab Member (middle part of the Raha Formation) comprises Nezzazatinae with very rare planktonic tests identified in thin sections of late Cenomanian. The upper part of the Raha Formation is the Ekma Member which yields no foraminifera and is predominantly a clastic sequence with some thin beds of limestone including oyster banks. From microfacies study, the Abu Qada Formation was deposited during a period of deepening of the sea, which was related to a global rise in sea level. It is more convenient to draw the boundary between Cenomanian and Turonian sequences where a new pelagic faunal assemblage is found to appear with the first appearance of Heterohelix reussi and Globotruncanids in the Abu Qada Formation rocks. The Cenomanian/Turonian boundary in the Wadi Watir is correlated with similar rock units in Western Sinai, Palestine and Jordan.