Biostratigraphy of the Upper Cretaceous Sequence of the Geberl Musabaa Salama Area, Southwest Sinai, Egypt PDF

Keywords

geology, rock formations, Egypt

Abstract

The Upper Cretaceous Sequence exposed in the Southwest of Sinai at Gebel Musabaa Salama is divisible into four rock units. They are, from base to top, the Raha, Abu Qada, Wata, and Matulla Formations. Based on macrofossil occurrences, four molluscan biozones have been established which facilitate the inter-regional correlation of the sequence studied. They are: the Ilymatogyra africana- Exogra olisiponensis range zone of late Cenomanian age, the Early Turonian Vascoceras proprium interval zone and Choffaticeras range zone, and Santonian Pycnodonte proboscideum range zone. Several minor breaks in sedimentation of the studied sequence, probably diastems, have been recognized. The Lower Turonian succession is bounded by two conformity surfaces separating it from the overlying Santonian and underlying Cenomanian successions. It is concluded that Upper Turonian and Coniacian Sequences are missing.