Stratigraphy of the Upper Cretaceous–Lower Paleogene Successions at Esh El-Mellaha Area, Gulf of Suez, Egypt: New contribution

Obaidalla, Nageh A.; Elattaar, Atef A.; El-Mohandes, Ibrahim Y.

doi:10.21608/sjsci.2022.234308

Stratigraphy of the Upper Cretaceous–Lower Paleogene Successions at Esh El-Mellaha Area, Gulf of Suez, Egypt: New contribution

Document Type : Regular Articles

Authors

¹ Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Assiut University, Assiut, 71516, Egypt

² Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Sohag University, Sohag, 82524, Egypt

10.21608/sjsci.2022.234308

Abstract

Detailed field and lithostratigraphic studies are carried out on the Upper Cretaceous–Lower Paleogene section at Esh El-Mellaha area, Gulf of Suez, Egypt. The section is located at Wadi Dib west of Gebel Zeit. The fieldwork led to recognize four lithostratigraphic units, which are arranged in stratigraphic order as follows: the Sudr, Dib, Esna and Thebes formations. The Sudr Formation is here differentiated into two distinctive informal new rock units, argillaceous bedded limestone unit (at base) and calcareous shale unit (at top). The Dib Formation is here proposed for the first time as a new rock unit. It consists of carbonate rocks (bioclastic limestone) embracing reworked gravelly and pebbly extra-clasts and broken exhumed mega-fossils (e.g. gastropods and bivalves). This formation is equivalent to the upper part of the Dakhla Formation at different geographic neighborhoods of Egypt. Chronostratigraphically, the Sudr Formation is here assigned to the Maastrichtian Stage according to the occurrence of Gansserina gansseri and Pseudoguembelina palpebra index fossils. The Dib Formation is assigned to the Lower Paleocene (Danian Stage) according to the occurrence of Praemurica uncinata and Morozovella angulata index fossils. The Esna (shale) and Thebes (limestone) formations are assigned to the Lower Eocene (Ypresian Stage) according to the occurrence of Acarinina sabyaensis and Morozovella formosa index fossils. The Dib Formation is bounded by two regional unconformities surfaces (erosional surfaces) due to the impact of two tectonic events (I and II). which were related to the Syrian Arc Orogeny. The Tectonic Event I was recorded at the Sudr/Dib formations boundary and coincide with the Cretaceous/Paleocene (K/Pg) boundary. The Tectonic Event II was recorded at the Dib/Esna formations boundary nearly at the end of the Danian age. This event is characterized by the occurrences of paleosol zone and led to the missing of Tarawan Formation. Moreover, there is a tectonic event more (III) at the Esna/Thebes formational boundary. It is evidenced by the missing of the upper part of Esna Formation (Abu Had Member). These tectonic events are related to the Syrian Arc orogeny.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Geology

References

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