Detailed stratigraphic studies of the Paleocene-lower Eocene interval were conducted on four stratigraphic successions (Sudr-Alhitan, Thamad, Abu-Qada, and Nukhul) in central and southwestern Sinai. These sections are arranged along a North-South direction as: Sudr-Alhitan, Thamad, Abu-Qada, and Nukhul. The biostratigraphic framework was achieved by integrating data of calcareous nannofossils and planktonic foraminifera. The studied area experienced two major tectonic events, most likely related to the Syrian Arc System (SAS), which led to two distinct hiatuses of significant magnitude, evidenced from integrated biostratigraphic analysis and thorough field observations. Benthic foraminifera assemblages suggest a deposition in outer neritic to upper bathyal setting for investigated sites, except for the Tarawan and Thebes formations in Abu-Qada and Sudr-Alhitan sections, which were deposited in middle-outer neritic and outer neritic settings, respectively. Benthic foraminiferal indices indicate an oligo-mesotrophic environment associated with oxic/suboxic conditions at the bottom of the seawater for the studied interval. Low oxygen levels and mesotrophic conditions were seen to mark the Paleocene Eocene Thermal Maximum event, as evidenced by the organic-rich laminated sediment, low benthic foraminiferal indices, and the occurrence of agglutinated taxa Repmanina charoides and Ammobaculites spp., which reflects a major change in food supply. The obtained sequence stratigraphic framework shows that the depositional record of the studied area is significantly influenced by both the regional tectonics and eustatic sea level.
Research Abstract	
              Research Date	
              Research Department	
              
          Research Journal	
              Journal of African Earth Sciences
          Research Member	
          
      Research Publisher	
              Elsevier
          Research Vol	
              222
          Research Year	
              2025
          Research Pages	
              105483