Journal of African Earth Sciences最新文献

{"title":"Characterization of 3D fault structures in the Paka geothermal field using TDR and HGM filters on Bouguer gravity data: Implications for geothermal fluid flow dynamics in the northern Kenya Rift","authors":"Peter Chembeni Wafula ,&nbsp;Tabitha Awuor Amollo ,&nbsp;Nicholas Obuya Mariita ,&nbsp;Isaac K. Kanda","doi":"10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2025.105748","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2025.105748","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Gravity data from the Paka geothermal field in the northern Kenya Rift were analysed using tilt derivative (TDR) and horizontal gradient magnitude (HGM) methods, along with 3D modelling via the VOXI Earth Modelling tool, with the aim to characterize subsurface fault structures. Understanding these faults is crucial for characterising their trends, distribution, depths, and their influence on geothermal fluid flow. The TDR and HGM procedures were applied to Bouguer gravity data, while 3D structural analysis was performed using the VOXI Earth Modelling tool within the Geosoft Oasis software. The results reveal that most local fault structures trend in NW–SE and N–S directions, aligning with regional tectonic structural patterns. The tilt depth technique (TDT) estimated the depths of these local faults to range from 0 to 1500 m. A dome-shaped fault structure, that is connected to the caldera ring fault and underlying magma chamber, was identified at depths of 1–4 km. Additionally, a deeper rift-related fault structure trending N–S was observed at depths of 2–5 km. These features were delineated using HGM, TDR, and 3D inversion analysis. The 3D inversion results suggest that most fault structures dip steeply, approximately 90 <span><math><mrow><mo>°</mo></mrow></math></span>, with some showing slight vertical tilts. These faults play a critical role in controlling the movement of geothermal fluids within the Paka volcanic complex. The volcano is characterized by interconnected vertical faults trending NW and extending from the surface down to about 5000 m. Given that geothermal resources in this area are structurally controlled, the identified faults are likely to serve as key conduits or hosts for geothermal fluids.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14874,"journal":{"name":"Journal of African Earth Sciences","volume":"230 ","pages":"Article 105748"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-06-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144518188","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Geochemistry and spatial distribution of Neoproterozoic dike swarms from the northwestern tip of the Arabian-Nubian Shield: Implications for crustal extension","authors":"Hind Ghanem ,&nbsp;Abeer Salman ,&nbsp;Ryan J. McAleer ,&nbsp;Cees W. Passchier ,&nbsp;Ghaleb H. Jarrar","doi":"10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2025.105743","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2025.105743","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ediacaran dike swarms in the Arabian-Nubian Shield (ANS) provide key insights into post-collisional tectonics and magmatism. This study presents new chemical data, two ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages, and spatial distribution analysis for dike swarms in the northernmost ANS exposures in SW Jordan. Hornblende from a lamprophyre sill intruding the Saramuj Conglomerate yielded a plateau age of ∼592 ± 3 Ma, interpreted as the crystallization age of the sill. Micro-cores of sericite-rich domains in altered plagioclase phenocrysts from a dolerite dike intruding ∼586 Ma alkali granite produced ages of ∼580–570 Ma, interpreted as hydrothermal alteration ages, constraining dike emplacement to 586–580 Ma. The geochemistry of investigated dikes varies from alkaline to subalkaline and crosscuts calc-alkaline magmatic rocks. This transition reflects a shift from compression to extension (∼610-590 Ma), lithospheric thinning, and changes in mantle sources. After 590 Ma, magmatism became exclusively alkaline, forming A-type granitoids and dolerites, marking a shift to extensional magmatism. Dikes predominantly follow NE-SW and E-W orientations, with rare N-S, NW-SE, and WNW-ESE trends, suggesting a major horizontal extension direction from NW-SE to N-S. Dike density ranges from 5 to 13 %, averaging ∼9 %, with crustal extension estimates of 9–23 %, averaging 16 %. No correlation was found between dike composition, orientation, or order of emplacement, indicating consistent stress orientation during the final stage (605-580 Ma) of ANS evolution.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14874,"journal":{"name":"Journal of African Earth Sciences","volume":"230 ","pages":"Article 105743"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-06-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144535690","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ostracods as environmental indicators in Manzala Lagoon (NE Egypt)","authors":"Sherif M. El Baz ,&nbsp;Magdy Khalil ,&nbsp;Hatem Aboelkhair ,&nbsp;Adel H. El-Afandy ,&nbsp;A.Y. Nabet ,&nbsp;H.R. Saad","doi":"10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2025.105739","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2025.105739","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ostracods have been used as bio-indicators for the quality of aquatic ecosystems. Unfortunately, limited number of studies have been done on the ostracods from the northern coastal lagoons of Egypt. Therefore, the present work is an attempt to examine the Recent ostracod assemblages from the bottom sediments of Manzala Lagoon, Egypt. The detection of their response to the environmental parameters is another target. The studied community consists of a relatively diverse assemblage, where 19 species belonging to 16 genera are identified. Due to the prevalence of brackish conditions in the lagoon, all sites are inhabited by the most common brackish species, <em>Cyprideis torosa</em> (Jones)<em>,</em> where its relative abundance ranges between 96.2 and 100 %. Also, the current study records minor occurrence of <em>Loxoconcha elliptica</em> Brady<em>, Leptocythere castanea</em> (Sars) and <em>Cypridopsis vidua</em> (Müller) in some sites<em>.</em> Moreover, the presence of allochthonous marine assemblage is limited to the area near the connection to the Mediterranean sea. In addition, ostracods show different responses to the type of bottom sediments, where <em>Cyprideis torosa</em> can inhabit both muddy and sandy substrates, whereas <em>Cypridopsis vidua</em> is restricted only to the muddy substrate. Furthermore, the occurrence of marine assemblage is restricted to sandy substrate near the inlet of seawater. The response of ostracods to heavy metal pollution is also documented. However, the studied sites are heavily polluted with Cd, only some individuals of <em>C. torosa</em> are still alive, reflecting its toeleranc to pollution. Furthermore, the variations in the values of pH have no observed effects on the structure of the examined ostracods, as they completely lie in the alkaline side. Also, there is no remarkable relationship between the depth and the patterns of distribution of ostracods. Consequently, salinity, substrate sediment types and the levels of pollution are the most important factors controlling the distribution of ostracods in the studied lagoon. Geographically, the identified ostracods show a great similarity to those observed in other Mediterranean lagoons.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14874,"journal":{"name":"Journal of African Earth Sciences","volume":"230 ","pages":"Article 105739"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144470250","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Structural and metamorphic evolution of Neoproterozoic rocks in Bensa-Girja area, southern Ethiopia","authors":"Eyob Abebe ,&nbsp;Mulugeta Alene ,&nbsp;Binyam Tesfaw ,&nbsp;Takashi Sano ,&nbsp;Yoko Kusaba","doi":"10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2025.105738","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2025.105738","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Bensa-Girja area is part of the Adola Neoproterozoic collisional belt in southern Ethiopia. Lithological, structural, and metamorphic characteristics of the area are presented here based on the interpretation of field, microstructural and metamorphic mineral data. The area comprises poly-deformed and poly-metamorphosed basal gneissic units, accretionary wedge metasediments, mafic-ultramafic rocks and associated upper metasediments. These units, bounded by reverse shear zones, were assembled during the Neoproterozoic East African orogeny. Two subsequent episodes of deformation are recognized. A progressive D₁ deformation consisting of an early-stage event (D_1A) forming regional N-oriented S_1A foliation, WNW-plunging stretching lineations (L_1A), N- to NNE-plunging recumbent isoclinal F_1A folds and N-S oriented reverse shear zones, followed by a later stage (D_1B) developing upright F_1B folds with N-S axial trace. The D₂ deformation phase overprinted earlier fabrics and resulted in N- to NNW-oriented subvertical, sinistral shear zones and associated F₂ folding. Mineral assemblages and microprobe data indicate peak M₁ metamorphism (epidote-amphibolite to amphibolite facies) at ∼489–729 ^oC and 4.3–8.7 kbar during the D₁ deformation, whereas greenschist-facies retrogression (M₂) was coeval with D₂ shearing. Structural data suggest a top-to-ESE sense of movement related to broadly westward subduction zone, possibly coincident with the north-west direction of subduction reported in Eritrea and Kenya. The D₂ shear zones are considered to share similar structural trends and shear sense with the ductile shear zones developed during the Loldaikan–Kipsingian event (&lt;570 to ∼530 Ma) in northern Kenya, Eritrea, Sudan, and Egypt.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14874,"journal":{"name":"Journal of African Earth Sciences","volume":"230 ","pages":"Article 105738"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144480707","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Source rocks thermal maturity reconstruction on high and deep structures in the Sahel region (central-eastern Tunisia)","authors":"Syrine Bennasr ,&nbsp;Moncef Saidi ,&nbsp;Eya Gasdallah ,&nbsp;Mohamed Wael Boudegga ,&nbsp;Khaled El Asmi ,&nbsp;Amina Mabrouk El Asmi","doi":"10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2025.105733","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2025.105733","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study evaluates the thermal maturity of the Albian Lower Fahdene, the Late Cenomanian-Early Turonian Bahloul and the Ypresian Bou Dabbous source rocks within the Sahel area (Central-Eastern Tunisia). Several data including well logs, geochemical parameters (vitrinite reflectance, Hydrogen Index), seismic data and Bottom Hole Temperatures (BHT) from 42 wells (1309–4003m in depth), were used to assess source rock's thermal maturity and aid to identify promising areas for oil and gas exploration. To calibrate the present-day heat flow, BHTs were corrected using empirical methods, on which only Harrison et al. (1983) and Bouaziz et al. (2015) equations showed the best fit with Drill Stem Test (DST) temperatures. The 1D basin modelling results of drilled wells show that the thermal maturity stages of the studied source rocks are recorded earlier when correction is applied. Consequently, temperature correction increased oil production by around 15 % in the Lower Fahdene and Bahloul and nearly doubled it in the Bou Dabbous. Meanwhile, gas output rose by around 42 % and 35 % in the Lower Fahdene and Bahloul, respectively. This study emphasises the importance of temperature corrections for accurate geothermal gradient and heat flow assessments. However, burial history and subsidence are the primary drivers of hydrocarbon generation and expulsion. Indeed, the modelling of pseudo-wells in deep areas, derived from seismic interpretations, indicated higher source rock maturity due to more significant subsidence and deeper structures. The reconstructed maturity maps showed that the Lower Fahdene and Bahloul source rocks have reached advanced maturity in basinal zones, whereas the Bou Dabbous source rock remains immature to marginally mature. In addition, modelling results reveal that significant amounts of hydrocarbons are still retained within the sourcing rocks of the Sahel area. These constitute unconventional resources to be explored in the future.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14874,"journal":{"name":"Journal of African Earth Sciences","volume":"230 ","pages":"Article 105733"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144517307","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Paleo weathering effect on detrital composition of Adigrat sandstone from Ogaden Basin and Kella area, Ethiopia: Insight for reservoir quality prediction","authors":"Yakob Dea ,&nbsp;Solomon Kassa ,&nbsp;Daniel Meshesha ,&nbsp;Samuel Getnet","doi":"10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2025.105736","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2025.105736","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ogaden basin is one of the five major sedimentary basins in Ethiopia; and Kella is one of the areas in Ethiopia where pre-Tertiary sedimentary rocks can be found, though it is not among the major sedimentary basins. Detrital composition analysis is a powerful tool for understanding the paleo-climate, paleo-weathering conditions, and provenance. The purpose of this research is to investigate the paleo-weathering effect on the detrital composition of Adigrat sandstone from the Kella area and Ogaden Basin, which are understudied compared to the contemporaneous deposits in Mekele and Blue Nile Basins. Twenty core samples from the Ogaden basin and nine outcrop samples from Kella area were collected. Laboratory analysis including petrographic, XRD, and XRF were employed for the study. The QLF ternary plot analysis indicates that the majority of the Kella area and Ogaden Basin samples are quartz-rich, with a significant proportion falling within the quartzarenite and subarkose fields. The provenance analysis indicates felsic and intermediate igneous rock sources. The Kella samples, with higher CIA and CIW values, indicate intense chemical weathering under warm and humid climate conditions, potentially leading to reservoir quality reduction. Conversely, the Ogaden Basin well samples, with lower CIA and CIW values, suggest less weathering under arid climate conditions suggesting better reservoir quality. However, the presence of less stable minerals like plagioclase could lead to mineral dissolution and porosity loss over time. Using the analyzed data, the link among the reservoir quality, paleo-weathering processes, paleo-climate, and provenance of the Adigrat sandstone was established, which is very crucial in reducing future exploration risks particularly in the frontier Basins, like the Blue Nile Basin.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14874,"journal":{"name":"Journal of African Earth Sciences","volume":"230 ","pages":"Article 105736"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144490483","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Deciphering prolific zones of groundwater using geospatial techniques and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) in Obbo and Magwi Payams, South Sudan","authors":"Nelson Okot ,&nbsp;Akobundu Nwanosike Amadi ,&nbsp;Cosmas Pitia Kujjo ,&nbsp;Gilbert Ndatimana","doi":"10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2025.105737","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2025.105737","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Groundwater serve as a crucial resource for communities in Obbo and Magwi Payams, South Sudan, where water scarcity is exacerbated by the failure of numerous boreholes due to inadequate scientific exploration. This study aims to delineate potential zones of groundwater. In these regions by integrating geospatial techniques with Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). Six thematic: layers of rainfall, geology, slope, lineament density, drainage density, and land use/land cover were analysed within the GIS framework to produce a detailed potential map. The layers were weighted based on their influence on groundwater recharge, with rainfall weight (37 %) and land use/land cover the lowest (3 %). The resulting map categorizes 28 % of the study area as having very poor groundwater potential, 39 % as poor, 31 % as moderate and only 2 % as good. These findings highlight significant challenges in groundwater availability and provide a strategic framework for local authorities to improve borehole placement and optimize water resource management. The study recommends further field validation through electrical resistivity surveys in moderate and good potential zones to ascertain the accuracy of the geospatial analysis. The results offer vital insight for policymakers and stakeholders, promoting sustainable groundwater management in a region heavily reliant on this precious resource.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14874,"journal":{"name":"Journal of African Earth Sciences","volume":"230 ","pages":"Article 105737"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144470253","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Geospatial distribution of landslide susceptibility modeling based on Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System","authors":"Kasye Shitu ,&nbsp;Aqil Tariq","doi":"10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2025.105732","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2025.105732","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Landslides are an abrupt and highly harmful natural disaster in Ethiopia. So, this research focused on the geospatial distribution modeling of landslide susceptibility areas in the Eastern Part of the Amhara Region. The study considered fifteen landslide aggravating factors: slope, elevation, aspect, curvature, TWI, SPI, river distance, town distance, road distance, rainfall, lineament density, drainage density, lithology, soil, and land use land cover for Landslide Numerical Risk Factor (LNRF) and Analytic hierarchy process (AHP) model generation. From the LNFR and AHP model results, around 11.74 % and 13.94 % of the area under investigation was found under very high 8.79 % and 12.18 % under very low landslide severity levels, respectively. The Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curve was implemented to measure the performance of the two models, and obtained good predictive values of 70.23 % and 64.47 % accuracy, respectively. Valued information for planners, policymakers, and engineers can be obtained from LNRF and AHP about landslide events for any project planning and development in the study area.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14874,"journal":{"name":"Journal of African Earth Sciences","volume":"230 ","pages":"Article 105732"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144364601","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Potentially Toxic elements (PTEs) contamination and human health risk assessment of soils in the vicinity of the abandoned lead mine of Zeïda, Upper Moulouya basin in Morocco","authors":"Abdelmouiz Ech-Charef ,&nbsp;Fatima Zohra EL Houfy ,&nbsp;Abdelilah Dekayir ,&nbsp;Gyozo Jordan ,&nbsp;Amal Labaioui ,&nbsp;Mohamed Rouai ,&nbsp;Lamiae EL Alaoui","doi":"10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2025.105731","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2025.105731","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This research investigated the contamination levels of six Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs) in soils in the vicinity of the abandoned Zeïda lead mine in Upper Moulouya basin, which was considered to be one of Morocco's largest lead reserves. It aimed to quantify the elements' concentrations, assessed the associated environmental and health risks posed by PTEs, and identified the potential contamination sources.</div><div>In total, 47 soil samples were collected from different sources including crop fields, mining wastes, and tailings at a depth range of 0–20 cm, and subjected to mineralogical and textural analysis. The mineralogical composition was determined by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) using a BRUKER Advance Diffractometer. The concentrations of metals and metalloids were measured employing ICP-MS by aqua regia extraction. The levels of pollutants were assessed by calculating multiple indices including: the Geoaccumulation index (Igeo), the enrichment factor (EF), the contamination factor (CF), the contamination degree (CD), the pollution load index (PLI), and Hazard Quotients (HQs) and Health index (HI) to assess the non-carcinogenic risk on population.</div><div>Results showed a consistent mineralogical composition across samples featuring a predominance of calcite, quartz, orthoclase, illite, kaolinite, microcline, and muscovite. The average concentration values (mg/kg) exhibited elevated to moderate values of heavy metals/metalloids (Pb = 1087.83, Zn = 89.63, As = 14.70, Cu = 24.40, Cd = 0.28, and Co = 8.93) particularly near the tailings, in comparison to an uncontaminated soil sample acting as a reference baseline, in the sequence of Pb &gt; Zn &gt; Cu &gt; As &gt; Co &gt; Cd. The significant correlation values among Pb-As (0.8579), Pb-Cu (0.7882), and As-Cu (0.8272) demonstrated the adverse influence of mining operations on the studied area, confirmed by PCA analysis which showed that anthropogenic activities (mining) were the main origin of contamination. Moreover, HQs through ingestion for both children and adults revealed serious non-carcinogenic risk on population.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14874,"journal":{"name":"Journal of African Earth Sciences","volume":"230 ","pages":"Article 105731"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144366540","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Depositional patterns of the Cambrian Araba Formation along the Taba-Naqab road, east-central Sinai, Egypt: paleoenvironmental reconstruction and correlation in Northern Gondwana","authors":"Ibrahim M. Ghandour ,&nbsp;Olaf Elicki ,&nbsp;Ramadan M. El-Kahawy","doi":"10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2025.105727","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2025.105727","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigates the facies analysis and sequence stratigraphy of the Cambrian Araba Formation along the Taba-Naqab Road in east-central Sinai, Egypt. The sediments of the Araba Formation were deposited in diverse environments, including braided fluvial, floodplain/overbank, intertidal to subtidal, and shallow marine to offshore environments. These depositional settings are consistent with patterns observed in Northern Gondwana. The Cambrian strata in the African and Arabian segments of Northern Gondwana have been roughly correlated lithostratigraphically, correlation based on sequence stratigraphy remains limited. Two depositional sequences (SQ1 and SQ2) have been identified within the Araba Formation. These sequences, along with their internal divisions, can be correlated with lithostratigraphic units and existing depositional sequences in the surrounding Middle Eastern regions. The <em>lowstand systems tract</em> (LST₁) of SQ1 can be correlated with the lower Cambrian lowstand/regressive Salib (Jordan), Siq (Saudi Arabia), and Amudei Shelomo (Israel) formations. Similarly, the <em>transgressive systems tract</em> (TST₁) of SQ1 can be correlated with the middle Cambrian transgressive Tayana and Numayeri members of the Burj Formation (Jordan) and the Timna Formation (Israel). In contrast to the continuous sedimentation observed in Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Israel during the late middle and late Cambrian, the Araba Formation experienced an abrupt basinward shift of facies. This shift, likely induced by local tectonic uplift of the Arabian-Nubian Shield (ANS), resulted in the formation of the <em>falling stage systems tract</em> (FSST₁) and the development of a subaerial unconformity at the top of SQ1. Subsequently, a renewed rapid basin subsidence and relative sea-level rise allowed deposition of the TST₂ of SQ2.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14874,"journal":{"name":"Journal of African Earth Sciences","volume":"230 ","pages":"Article 105727"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-06-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144366539","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}