Thesis Abstract and Dissertation Abstracts
Stratigraphy and Facies Analysis of the Upper Cretaceous Abu Roash Formation in Abu Roash Area, Giza, Egypt
Abstract Category: Science
Course / Degree: Masters
Institution / University: Cairo University, Egypt
Published in: 2008
The sedimentary succession in Abu Roash area ranges in age from Late Cretaceous to Quaternary but is punctuated by several unconformity surfaces. The present study concerned with the rock units ranging in age from Turonian to Coniacian representing the sedimentary succession of Abu Roash Formation that differentiated into six informal units (members) from younger to older as follows:
Plicatula-bearing marl-limestone member
………………Unconformity…………………
Flint-bearing chalky limestone member
Actaeonella-bearing limestone-marl member
Limestone member
Rudist-bearing limestone-marl member
Basal clastic member
Detailed petrography and microfacies analysis of the studied rock units in Abu Roash area revealed the presence of twenty-two microfacies representing the different recognized clastic and non-clastic rocks. These microfacies are almost of carbonate types except few ones are of clastic types forming the basal part of Abu Roash Formation (basal clastic member) and comprise only four types. On the other hand the carbonate microfacies are differentiated into fifteen limestone and two dolostone microfacies. One chert microfacies is also recognized representing the chert bands and lenses that observed in several members of Abu Roash Formation.
Detailed facies analysis of the different rocks constituting Abu Roash rock succession leads to discriminate nineteen sedimentary facies assigned from A to N that are predicated to their appropriated depositional environments. These are characterized by variable conditions and settings ranging from lower mixed to upper intertidal flat and subtidal channel for the clastic facies and calm to agitated open marine inner to middle platform for the carbonate facies.
Vertical sequence or facies hierarchy of the obtained sedimentary facies is recognized to elucidate the depositional model of each member. The facies sequence of the basal clastic member indicates a progradational preitidal sequence. While those of the rudist-bearing member and limestone member represent a cyclic progradtion of high energetic/storm facies above an open marine low energetic fore shoal subtidal facies. The facies sequence of the Actaeonella-bearing member reflects two facies associations comprising open marine subtidal assemblage and shoal or bank facies. The latter facies represents the bank that the robust thick shelled Durania arnaudi with the coralline sponge heads accreted local mounds in restricted areas (El-Hassana dome). The vertical facies hierarchy of the flint-bearing chalky limestone member suggests a renewed shoaling of the depositional accommodation, shifting to inner-platform setting and a progradation of mobile bioclastic shoals or banks. The stacking of the sedimentary facies in the Plicatula-bearing member indicates an accumulation in an open shallow sea (inner platform) with intermittent supply of fine terrigenous clastics and clays.
Thesis Keywords/Search Tags:
Abu Roash, Stratigraphy, Upper Cretaceous, Facies Analysis, Depositional models, Rudists, Gastropods
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Geologic map of Abu Roash Area (after Faris 1948) (click to enlarge) |
Submission Details: Thesis Abstract submitted by Hanan Sayed Mohamed Badawy from Egypt on 15-Feb-2009 00:02.
Abstract has been viewed 5270 times (since 7 Mar 2010).
Hanan Sayed Mohamed Badawy Contact Details: Email: hanansb2000@yahoo.com
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