Lithologic units and stratigraphy of the Farasan Islands, Southern Red Sea

The geology of the Farasan Islands was studied using an integration of field investigation, Paleontological analysis, reinterpretation, and regional correlation of existing wells data. This investigation indicated that the sedimentary and stratigraphic succession in the islands consists of five majo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Carbonates and evaporites 2016-06, Vol.31 (2), p.115-128
Main Authors: Almalki, Khalid A., Bantan, Rashad A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Boreholes
Coral reefs
Correlation
Correlation analysis
Earth and Environmental Science
Earth Sciences
Evaporites
Field investigations
Geology
Gypsum
Islands
Limestone
Mineral Resources
Mineralogy
Miocene
Original Article
Paleontology
Pleistocene
Pliocene
Regional analysis
Sedimentary rocks
Shale
Shales
Stratigraphy
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Summary:The geology of the Farasan Islands was studied using an integration of field investigation, Paleontological analysis, reinterpretation, and regional correlation of existing wells data. This investigation indicated that the sedimentary and stratigraphic succession in the islands consists of five major units: (1) sand, (2) coral reef limestone, (3) marly limestone, (4) shale, and (5) evaporite. Paleontological analysis of surface and subsurface shale samples indicated a Miocene age. In the subsurface, a thick evaporate succession underlies the area extending to 668 m depth. None of the boreholes in the islands have penetrated the basement. Between the Farasan limestone of Pleistocene and Pliocene age and the underlying evaporite succession, it is evident in boreholes data that there is shale unit with varying thickness and interbedded gypsum levels. Regional correlation of available wells data suggests that similar sedimentary and stratigraphy succession ably to the region.
ISSN:0891-2556
1878-5212
DOI:10.1007/s13146-015-0247-4