BIO-LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY DEVELOPMENT, AT UPPER CRETACEOUS-LOWER PALEOGENE, IN THE AL HAMADAH AL HAMRA AREA, LIBYA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70672/tx5bdx86Keywords:
Bio-lithstratigraphy, Cretaceous-Paleogene, Qaryat Al Gharbiyah, Umm al kifan formationAbstract
The extensive Triassic to Upper Jurassic sedimentary complex represents a significant period of deposition following a prolonged continental phase from the Upper Permian to the Lower Triassic, spanning approximately (8 million years). This complex is characterised by three distinct hiatuses, including two short interruptions in the Upper Triassic sediments and a substantial hiatus during the Upper Jurassic to Barremian. In addition, the Upper Campanian/Maastrichtian (Al Gharbiyah Formation), is characterised by warm but humid conditions as evidenced by the presence of Fe oxides and glauconitic levels, the Maastrichtian-Danian boundary is marked by the last occurrence of Omphalocyclus macroporus Lamarck and the appearance of Postrugoglobigerina daubjergensis (Broennimann) and Eoglobigerina danica (Bang), while, The transition to the Shurfah Formation is marked by lagoonal sediments at the base, followed by pelagic calcareous limestones and neritic Ammur limestones at the top. Based on the study of the biosedimentary and facies characteristics of the sediments and the facies changes in the Gharbia and Tabaqah Formations, the distribution and proposed new name of the Shurfah Formation has been redefined as Tar Member (formerly Lower Tar Member), the upper part of the Gharbia Formation, and Umm El Kifan (formerly Upper Ta Member), the upper part of the Tabaqah Formation.
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