Late Cretaceous - Early Paleogene bio- and sequence stratigraphy of west-central Sinai, Egypt

A sequence biostratigraphic analysis has been done for the Upper Cretaceous-Lower Paleogene sedimentary outcrops at Wadi Raha, Sudr El-Hetan and Wadi El-Giddi areas in west-central Sinai. The sequences are subdivided into four carbonate rock units; from base to top: the Wata, Themed, Sudr and Waseiyit formations. The biostratigraphic analysis of the studied samples led to the identification of two main planktonic foraminiferal zones, three benthic foraminiferal zones with the ammonite zone. Eleven microfacies associations are recorded in the rock units. Nine constitutes a limestone facies with one constitutes a dolostone fades and one a claystone facies. The stratigraphic data, and the facies study support the identification of three major breaks (sequence boundaries) and four depositional sequences. The depositional sequences are subdivided into four supercycles and seven cycles of 3rd order. The oldest break (similar to 90-88.5Ma.) exists at the top of the Wata Formation coincides with the intra Turonian drop in the global sea level with the initiation of the Syrian Arc inversion phase. The second major break (85 - similar to 75Ma.) coincides with the major inversion phase and the evolution of the doubly plunging anticlines. The third major break (similar to 68 through similar to 53Ma.) represents the last phase of the Syrian Arc inversion and complete the missing of Paleocene sequences. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.