Sedimentology and stratigraphy sequence of the north of Saudi Arabia: Implications for the evolution of the Neo‐Tethys in the Late Cretaceous. (6th October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Yunlong; Li, Ziying; Qin, Mingkuan; Bao, Zhidong; Li, Zhixing; Yi, Longsheng; Li, Guochen
• Is Part Of: Geological journal. Volume 56:Number 3(2021)
• Page Start: 1510
• Page End: 1530
• Publication Date: 2020-10-06
• Subjects: Arabia Plate -- Late Cretaceous -- Neo‐Tethys -- phosphorite -- transgression; Geology -- Periodicals; 551
• DOI: 10.1002/gj.4013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0072-1050

Abstract

Abstract : The Late Cretaceous sediments on the margin of the Arabia Plate contain information of tectonics and eustatic fluctuation of the Neo‐Tethys Ocean. The sedimentary association in the north of Saudi Arabia, combined with that from Jordan, Israel, and Egypt, revealed three fourth‐order sedimentary sequences that occurred in the Late Cretaceous and Palaeogene. The evolution of the sequences indicates that a most extensive transgression occurred in the south of Neo‐Tethys Ocean during that time, which deposited phosphorite and carbonate overlying the Devonian sandstone directly. The occurrence of thin and interbedded lithological layers implies vigorous fluctuation of the sea‐level during the transgression. We argue that the transgression is the results of tectonic activities and eustatic fluctuation, but may be closely controlled by the regional subduction and Neo‐Tethys collision. Abstract : Facies and facies association investigation and regional stratigraphy correllation revealed that the deposition from the Late Cretaceous to the Early Palaeogene created three sequence units in the north of the Arabian Plate (AP). The sequence stratigraphy and facies variation indicate a rapid transgression occurred in the Late Cretaceous on the northwest part of the AP, which is the first sedimentary sequence occurred in the north of Saudi Arabia since Devonian, and possibly, it was caused by the subduction activities of the AP, impling the closure of the Neo‐Tethys ocean in the Late Cretaceous.