Nature of the Paleocene/Eocene (P/E) boundary in Sinai, Egypt

• Published in: Journal of African earth sciences (1994) 2017-12, Vol.136, p.44-60
• Main Authors: Obaidalla, Nageh A., Abdel-Maksoud, Nasr A., Hosny, Atef M., Mahfouz, Kamel H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Litho-, biostratigraphy; Orogeny; Paleocene/Eocene boundary; Sinai, Egypt; Syrian Arc
• ISSN: 1464-343X; 1879-1956
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2017.01.036

The P/E boundary is studied at eight stratigraphic sections in Sinai, Egypt, which are nearly distributed in a stratigraphic profile from north to south as follows: Al-Hasanah, Sudr Al-Hitan, Wadi Sudr, Al-Thamad, Abu Qada, Wadi Matulla, Wadi Nukhul and Wadi Feiran. This study includes field, litho- and bio-stratigraphic analyses that enabled to delineate several hiatuses which may be due to the occurrence of tectonic activity that may be related to the echo of the Syrian Arc Orogeny at the P/E boundary. Generally, in Egypt the P/E boundary is marked by the occurrence of distinctive five beds, named by El Dababiya Quarry Member. At Wadi Nukhul, Wadi Matulla and Wadi Feiran sections, El Dababiya Quarry Member is well represented and the P/E boundary is conformable and resembles the GSSP section. Although El Dababiya Quarry Member is represented at Al-Hasanah section, the P/E boundary is marked by the occurrence of a minor hiatus at the end of Paleocene. Moreover, at Al Thamad section, El Dababiya Quarry Member is partially represented. On the other hand, at Sudr Al-Hitan, Wadi Sudr and Abu Qada sections, El Dababiya Quarry Member is completely absent due to a major hiatus. •Eight stratigraphic sections are well analyzed in Sinai, Egypt.•The lithostratigraphy of the Paleocene-Eocene transition is well studied.•High-resolution biostratigraphy of this transition is carried out and eight planktonic foraminiferal zones are defined.•The P/E boundary is documented and discussed.