Holocene sequences distributed across the northern Nile delta, Egypt, as a function of tectonic, eustatic, and climatic controls

Conference · Fri Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1991 · AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (United States)

OSTI ID:7262406

Stanley, D J; Arbouille, D; Howa, H ^[1]

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1. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC (United States)

Analysis of the laterally variable lithofacies distributions in the Nile delta, Egypt, in recent time provides an opportunity to model the evolution of a very active depocenter, the largest on the North African margin. Of particular interest is the interplay of major factors controlling sedimentation. The changes of Holocene facies in time and space across the northern Nile delta have been mapped by means of sediment cores. This study is based on extensive petrological, geochemical, and biogenic analyses of more than 2000 samples in 65 cores. Most cores (length to 60 m) are radiocarbon dated, indicating that Holocene deltaic progradational sequences began to accumulate about 7500 years ago. The delta plain has been subsiding (from 0.04 to 0.50 cm/yr) and also tilting toward the northeast during this period. As a consequence, sediments have accumulated at long-term averaged rates of 0.1 to 0.5 cm/year, from west to east. Marked variations in temporal and lateral lithofacies distributions and sequence thicknesses are in part a direct consequence of asymmetric lowering of the delta plain surface during the period of sediment accumulation. On the one hand, classic complete deltaic coarsening-upward sequences consisting of open marine prodelta to coastal facies are restricted to the northeastern delta; this is largely a response to accelerated subsidence in this region. In contrast, sediment sections are reduced in thickness and comprise lithologically more irregular successions of delta plain deposits (distributary channel, marsh, lagoon) over most of the tectonically more stable north-central sector of the delta.

• OSTI ID: 7262406
• Report Number(s): CONF-910403--
• Conference Information: Journal Name: AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (United States) Journal Volume: 75:3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

58 GEOSCIENCES
580000* -- Geosciences
AFRICA
CENOZOIC ERA
COASTAL REGIONS
DEPOSITION
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
EGYPTIAN ARAB REPUBLIC
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC MODELS
GEOLOGY
LITHOLOGY
MIDDLE EAST
NILE RIVER
QUATERNARY PERIOD
RIVER DELTAS
RIVERS
STRATIGRAPHY
STREAMS
SURFACE WATERS