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

Research Authors
Nageh A. Obaidalla a , Nasr A. Abdel-Maksoud a , Atef M. Hosny b , Kamel H. Mahfouz b, *
Research Abstract

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 biostratigraphic
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

Research Department
Research Journal
Journal of African Earth Sciences 136 (2017) 44e60
Research Publisher
NULL
Research Rank
1
Research Vol
Vol. 136
Research Website
NULL
Research Year
2017
Research Pages
pp. 44 - 60