The sequence stratigraphic fra
mework of the Ceno
manian
Galala For
mation (north Eastern Desert, Egypt) is esti
mated on the basis of the Sedi
mentological and obtainable biostratigraphic data, in addition to the regional correlation of the studied sections. Five sequence boundaries are identified. The first sequence boundary separates between the Galala and Malha for
mations. The second, third and fourth sequence boundary exhibit a differentiated nature. It is noticed that such sequence boundaries in Gebel El-Zeit are
mainly represented by paleosols and caliche, while those of the Northern Galala, Gebel Ataqa and Gebel Shabraweet are
mostly typified by e
mergence horizons of dolo
mites and dedolo
mites. The fifth (last) sequence boundary separates the Galala For
mation fro
m the overlying El-Khash
m For
mation at Gebel El-Zeit, the Northern Galala and Gebel Ataqa and fro
m Maghra El-Hadida For
mation at Gebel Shabraweet.
The Galala Formation in the study area is subdivided into four depositional sequences, which are built up of three systems tracts; the lowstand (LST), transgressive (TST) and highstand (HST) systems tracts. The LSTs are realized only from Gebel El-Zeit, where they are made up of clastic facies organized in coarsening- and fining-upward parasequences. The TSTs form a series of aggradational-retrogradational, shallowing-upward parasequences, which transgress across the ramp till the point of maximum flooding is reached. The HSTs are built up of aggradational-progradational, shallowing-upward parasequences of shallow subtidal to peritidal facies.