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DEPOSITIONAL ENVIRONMENTS AND SEQUENCE STRATIGRAPHY OF THE CAMPANIAN-EOCENE SUCCESSION, GABAL OWEINA AREA, UPPER EGYPT

Research Abstract
The Campanian-Eocene succession in Gabal Oweina area, Upper Egypt, covering six rock units (Quseir, Duwi, Dakhla, Tarawan, Esna and Thebes formations) was revised. The sedimentological and biostratigraphical detailed studies of the succession helped in reaching a high-resolution sequence stratigraphic classification that led to the recognition of five third-order depositional sequences and their associated surfaces and systems tracts. Also, the paleobathymetry deduced from the identified benthonic faunal assemblages, helped in giving some details about the characteristics and paleoenvironments of the identified sequences. The Campanian depositional sequence Dw/DkSQ1, includes both the Duwi and the lower part of the Dakhla formations, was laid down in a sea oscillating between inner to middle neritic depths, on shallow subtidal shelf, followed by a shallow inner neritic depths, on lagoonal environment. The Maastrichtian depositional sequence DkSQ2 encompass the middle part of the Dakhla Formation and was laid down in a relatively outer neritic to upper bathyal depths, on deep subtidal shelf, followed by inner neritic depths, on a shallow subtidal shelf at the end of the sequence marked by an intraformational conglomerate bed. The Danian depositional sequence DkSQ3 covers the upper part of the Dakhla Formation and started by a latest Maastrichtian- earliest Danian hiatus. It accumulated in gradually deepening waters reaching upper bathyal depths, on deep subtidal shelf, followed by middle neritic depths, on a shallow subtidal shelf. The Selandian-Thanetian depositional sequence Dk/T/EsSQ4 comprises the uppermost part of the Dakhla, Tarawan and the lower part of the Esna formations and began by Danian-Selandian hiatus. It accumulated in oscillating conditions between upper bathyal depths, on a deep subtidal shelf to middle neritic depths, on a shallow subtidal shelf. The Ypresian depositional sequence EsSQ5 consists of the main parts of the Esna Formation and initiated by Paleocene/Eocene hiatus. It was laid down in a gradually deepening sea reaching the deep upper bathyal depths on a deep subtidal shelf, before reaching shallow middle neritic depths on a shallow subtidal shelf. Four of the recognized five sequence boundaries (SB1, SB3, SB4 and SB5) coincide with global sea-level falls, while the other one (SB2) is related to a local tectonic in the studied area.
Research Authors
A. R.M. El-Younsy, N. A. Obaidalla, E. R. Philobbos and A. M. Salman
Research Department
Research Journal
EIGHTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE GEOLOGY OF AFRICA, ASSIUT- EGYPT
Research Pages
73-97
Research Publisher
NULL
Research Rank
3
Research Vol
I
Research Website
NULL
Research Year
2015