Variability of Rift Climax Deposits: The Asl and Hawara Formations Associated with the October and Hamman Faraun Fault Blocks, Gulf of Suez, Egypt
Depositional systems around active normal faults are controlled by the interaction of local structural and more regional controls (e.g. sea-level and sediment supply). The aim of this study to understand the linked sedimentological, stratigraphic and structural evolution of large scale, 20-30 km long by 5-10 km wide, fault blocks and associated syn-rift deposits. Integrating an extensive subsurface database from the offshore Gulf of Suez October fault block with similar aged exposures located on the eastern Sinai rift margin in the Hamman Faraun fault block, the nature of Miocene rift climax deposits are examined to determine the combined tectono-stratigraphic evolution of the October block and to investigate the variability in rift margin and central rift depositional systems.
Cored intervals of the Asl and Hawara Formations from the October Field area have been examined and detailed facies and ichnofabric analysis undertaken. The Asl and Hawara Formations are characterised by basinal mudstone facies, with interbedded allochthonous siliclastic sandstones, calcarenites and carbonate skeletal packstones and grainstones, interpreted as deposits of sediment gravity flows. Exposures of the Asl and Hawara Formations examined on the eastern rift margin consist of alternating tidally influenced carbonate sandstones and basinal mudstone facies. The varying abundance of siliclastic and carbonate material reflect an alternation in sediment sources, possible scenarios include axially transported sediment derived from the western rift shoulder and more locally from the October block itself, whilst the Hamman Faraun deposits are likely to be sourced from the eastern rift shoulder.
SEPM Student Award Session I
2005 AAPG Annual Convention (June 19-22, 2005) Technical Program