Cenomanian–turonian stable isotope signatures and depositional sequences in northeast Egypt and central Jordan. (February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Farouk, Sherif; Ahmad, Fayez; Powell, John H.
• Is Part Of: Journal of Asian earth sciences. Volume 134(2017)
• Page Start: 207
• Page End: 230
• Publication Date: 2017-02
• Subjects: Cenomanian -- Turonian -- Ammonite -- Calcareous nannofossil -- Planktonic foraminifera -- δ13C -- Depositional sequence -- Egypt -- Jordan; Earth sciences -- Asia -- Periodicals; Sciences de la terre -- Asie -- Périodiques; Earth sciences; Asia; Periodicals; 555.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jseaes.2016.11.021
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1367-9120

Abstract

Highlights: New comparison with δ 13 C and δ 18 O in Egypt and Jordan. Integrated planktonic biostratigraphy was done. Well-developed peritidal to subtidal facies associations are recorded. Six third-order Cenomanian–Turonian depositional sequences can be traced across the African-Arabian platform. Abstract: Lithostratigraphic, biostratigraphic and microfacies studies of two Cenomanian-Turonian shallow-marine, siliciclastic-carbonate successions at Gebel Ekma plateau (southwestern Sinai, Egypt) and Wadi Karak section (central Jordan) are calibrated with δ 13 C-, profiles to reveal relative sea-level changes within a sequence stratigraphic framework. The study provides significantly enhanced stratigraphic resolution and key sections for regional correlation. Lithofacies are dominated by well-developed peritidal to subtidal facies associations indicating deposition in a rimmed carbonate shelf setting. Biostratigraphic analysis indicates the presence of 6 ammonite zones, 3 calcareous nannofossil zones and 3 planktonic foraminiferal zones within the Cenomanian to Turonian succession. Six, third-order depositional sequences, bounded by correlatable sequence boundaries can be traced across the African-Arabian platform. Comparison with δ 13 C records in deeper water pelagic sequences help to improve the resolution of the boundaries of each depositional sequence. Recognition of time gaps at the sequence boundaries on the platform, recorded in different parts of African-Arabian platform, is attributed to local tectonic activity, associated with the change from passive to active margins, which are overprinted by the global eustatic signature.