Abstract
A siliciclastic-dominated succession (∼11 m thick) underlying Harrat Rahat, belonging to the Miocene–Pliocene Bathan Formation is recently exposed at Al-Rehaili area, North Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. It covers a wide spectrum of grain sizes varying from clay-rich mudstones to cobble grade conglomerate and consists of a variety of facies vary from fluvial to marginal and open lacustrine deposited in a half-graben basin formed along the eastern margin of the extensional Red Sea Basin. Field-based sedimentologic investigation enables to identify ten facies grouped into three facies associations (A–C). The depositional history is subdivided into two stages. The first stage represents deposition in gravel to sand-dominated fluvial system sourced from a southern source and grade northward into lacustrine delta and open lacustrine setting. The second stage on the other hand includes deposition of fluvial channels running in E–W direction with attached bank sand bar. Sequence stratigraphic interpretations of the lacustrine deposits enable to identify three unconformity-bounded sequences (SQ1–3). The basal sequence is incomplete, consisting of three aggradationally to progradationally stacked delta plain and delta front parasequences. The second sequence is sharply and erosively overlying a red paleosol bed that defines the upper boundary of the first sequence. It includes two system tracts; upward-fining and deepening lacustrine offshore mudstones of the transgressive system tracts unconformably overlain by red paleosol of the regressive systems tracts. The top of this sequence is delineated at the sharp transgressive surface of erosion at the base of delta mouth bar deposits of sequence 3. Changes in the accommodation and sedimentation rates by basin subsidence under the influence of tectonics and sediment compaction and loading as well as climatic oscillation between semi-arid to arid conditions were the major controls on the fluvio-lacustrine sedimentation and their facies distribution. Tectonic reorganization of the drainage system resulted in the formation of E–W flowing fluvial streams in the second stage.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abdullatif OM (1989) Channel-fill and sheet-flood facies sequences in the ephemeral terminal River Gash, Kassala, Sudan. Sed Geol 63:171–184
Bohacs KM, Carroll AR, Neal JE, Mankiewicz PJ (2000) Lake-basin type, source potential, and hydrocarbon character: an integrated sequence stratigraphic–geochemical framework. In: Gierlowski-Kordesch E, Kelts K (eds) Lake basins through space and time: AAPG Studies in Geology 46:3–37
Bridge JS (2003) Rivers and floodplains; forms, processes, and sedimentary record. Blackwell, Oxford
Brown GF, Jackson RO, Bogue RG, Maclean WH (1963) Geologic map of the southern Hijaz Quadrangle, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: U.S. Geological Survey. Miscellaneous Investigations Map 1–210 A, Scale 1: 500,000
Brown GF, Schmidt DL, Huffman AC (1989) Geology of the Arabian Peninsula: shield area of Western Saudi Arabia. US Geol Surv Prof Pap 560-A
Carling PA (1990) Particle over-passing on depth-limited gravel bars. Sedimentology 37:345–355
Carling PA, Glaister MS (1987) Rapid deposition of sand and gravel mixtures downstream of a negative step: the role of matrix-infilling and particle-overstepping in the process of bar-front accretion. J Geol Soc London 144:543–551
Chakraborty T, Sarkar S (2005) Evidence of lacustrine sedimentation in the Upper Permian Bijori Formation, Satpura Gondwana basin: palaeogeographic and tectonic implications. J Earth Syst Sci India 114(3):303–323
Collinson JD (1996) Alluvial sediments. In: Reading HG (ed) Sedimentary environment: processes, facies and stratigraphy. Blackwell Sci, Oxford, pp 37–82
Costello WR, Walker RG (1972) Pleistocene sedimentology: Credit River, Southern Ontario: a new component of the braided river model. J Sed Petrol 42:389–400
Cuevos JL, Arbués P, Cabrera L, Marzo M (2007) Anatomy and architecture of ephemeral, ribbon-like channel- fill deposits of the Caspe Formation Upper Oligocene to Lower Miocene of the Ebro Basin, Spain. In: Nichols G, Williams E, Paola C (eds) Sedimentary Processes, Environments and Basins. Int Assoc Sedim Spec Publ 38:591–611
DeCelles PG, Cavazza W (1992) Constraints on the formation of Pliocene hummocky cross stratification in Calabria (southern Italy) from consideration of hydraulic and dispersive equivalence, grain-flow theory, and suspended-load fallout rate. J Sed Petrol 62:555–568
Einsele G (1992) Sedimentary basins: evolution, facies, and sediment budget. Springer, Berlin
Embry A (2002) Transgressive-Regressive sequence stratigraphy (T-R). 22nd Annual Gulf Coast Section SEPM Foundation Bob F. Perkins Research Conference
Embry A, Johannessen E (1992) T-R sequence stratigraphy, facies analysis and reservoir distribution in the uppermost Triassic-Lower Jurassic succession, western Sverdrup Basin, Arctic Canada. In: Vorren et al. (eds) Arctic geology and petroleum potential. Norwegian Petroleum Society Spec. Publ 2:121–146
Ford M, Williams EA, Malartre F, Popescu S (2007) Stratigraphic architecture, sedimentology and structure of the Vouraikos Gilbert-type fan delta, Gulf of Corinth, Greece. In: Nichols G, Williams E, Paola C (eds) Sedimentary processes. A Tributeto Peter Friend. Inter Assoc Sediment, Environments and Basins, pp 49–90
Fordham AM, North CP, Hartley AJ, Archer SG, Warwick GL (2010) Dominance of lateral over axial sedimentary fill in dry-land rift basins. Pet Geosci 16(3):299–304
Gawthorpe RL, Leeder MR (2000) Tectono-sedimentary evolution of active extensional basins. Basin Research 12(3–4):195–218
Gawthorpe RL, Hardy S, Ritchie B (2003) Sequence stratigraphy in active extensional basins: Implications for the interpretation of ancient basin fills. Mar Petrol Geol 11:642–658
Gheith AM, Abou Ouf M (1997) Sedimentological features of the Bathan Formation (Miocene?) North of Sharm Ubhur, Jeddah Region, Saudi Arabia. Arab Gulf J Sci Res 15(3):563–582
Gibling MR, Nanson GC, Maroulis JC (1998) Anastomosing river sedimentation in the Channel Country of Central Australia. Sedimentology 45:595–619
Hadlari T, Rainbird RH, Donaldson JA (2006) Alluvial, eolian and lacustrine sedimentology of a paleoproterozoic half-graben, Baker Lake Basin, Nunavut, Canada. Sed Geol 190:47–70
Hampton BA, Horton BK (2007) Sheetflow fluvial processes in a rapidly subsiding basin, Altiplano plateau, Bolivia. Sedimentology 54:1121–1147
Hughes GW, Filatoff J (1995) New biostratigraphic constraints of Saudi Arabian Red Sea Pre-and syn-rift sequences. In: Al-Husseini MI (ed) Middle East petroleum geosciences. Geo 94 Gulf PetroLink Bahrain 2:517–528
Hughes GW, Perincek D, Abu-Bshait A, Jarad A (2000) Aspects of midyan geology, Saudi Arabian Red Sea. Saudi Aramco J Technology 1999/2000:12–42
Ilgar A, Nemec W (2005) Early Miocene lacustrine deposits and sequence stratigraphy of the Ermenek Basin, Central Taurides, Turkey. Sed Geol 173:233–275
Keighley D (2008) A lacustrine shoreface succession in the Albert Formation, Moncton Basin, New Brunswick. Bull Canadian Petrol Geol 56(4):235–258
Khallaf HM, Al-Khateib S, Skiba WJ, Zakir FM (1980) The reconnaissance geologic map of the Jeddah North Quadrangle, sheet 21/39A, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, compiled by D. J. Grainger: Saudi Arabian Directorate General of Mineral Resources Open-File Report DGMR-753, 1:100.000 scale, no text
Kostic S, Parker G, Marr JG (2002) Role of turbidity currents in setting the foreset slope of clinoform prograding into standing fresh water. J Sed Res 72:353–362
Kraus MJ, Aslan A (1993) Eocene hydromorphic paleosols: significance for interpreting ancient floodplain processes. J Sed Petrol 63:453–463
Kraus MJ, Gwinn B (1997) Facies and facies architecture of Paleogene floodplain deposits, Willwood formation, Bighorn Basin, Wyoming, USA. Sed Geol 114:33–54
Longhitano SG (2008) Sedimentary facies and sequence stratigraphy of coarse-grained Gilbert-type deltas within the Pliocene thrust-top Potenza Basin (Southern Apennines, Italy). Sed Geol 210:87–110
López Gamundí OR, Astini RA (2004) Alluvial fan - lacustrine association in the fault tip end of a half-graben, northern Triassic Cuyo basin, western Argentina. J S Am Earth Sci 17(4):239–310
Maestro E (2008) Sedimentary evolution of the Late Eocene Vernet lacustrine system (South-Central Pyrenees). Tectono-climatic control in an alluvial-lacustrine piggyback basin. J Paleolimnology 40:1053–1078
Melchor RN (2007) Changing lake dynamics and sequence stratigraphy of syn-rift lacustrine strata in a half-graben: an example from the Triassic Ischigualasto-Villa Unión Basin, Argentina. Sedimentology 54:1417–1446
Miall AD (1996) The geology of fluvial deposits. Springer, Heidelberg
Moore TA, Al-Rehaili MHA (1989) Geologic map of the Makkah quadrangle sheet 21D, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Jeddah
Mulder T, Syvitski JPM (1995) Turbidity currents generated at river mouths during exceptional discharges to the world oceans. J Geology 103:285–299
Mutti E, Davoli G, Tinterri R, Zavala R (1996) The importance of ancient fluvio-deltaic systems dominated by catastrophic flooding in technically active basins. Memorie di Scienze Geologiche 48:233–291
Nemec W (1995) Aspects of sediment movement on steep delta slopes. In: Colella A, Prior DB (eds) Coarse-Grained Deltas. Int Assoc Sediment Speci Publ 10:29–73
Nichols G, Uttamo W (2005) Sedimentation in a humid, interior, extensional basin: the Cenozoic Li Basin, northern Thailand. J Geol Soc London 162:333–347
Rajchl M, Uličný D, Mach K (2008) Interplay between tectonics and compaction in a rift-margin, lacustrine delta system: Miocene of the Eger Graben, Czech Republic. Sedimentology 55:1419–1447
Reid I, Frostick LE (1997) Channel form, flows and sediments in deserts. In: Thomas DSG (ed) Arid zone geomorphology: process, form and change in dry-lands. Wiley, New York, pp 205–229
Retallack G (1990) Soils of the past: an introduction to paleopedology, 2nd edn. Blackwell Science, Oxford
Retallack GJ (1997) A colour guide to paleosols. Wiley, New York
Schmidt DL, Hadley DG (1984) Stratigraphy of the Miocene baid formation, Southern Red Sea Coastal Plain, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabian Deputy Ministry for Mineral Resources Technical Record, USGS-TR-04-23, 46p
Schmidt DL, Hayden DG, Brown GE (1982) Middle Tertiary continental rift and evolution of the Red Sea in southwestern Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabian Deputy Ministry for Mineral Resources, Open File Report USGS-OF-03-6, 56p
Schomacker ER, Kjemperud AV, Nystuen JP, Jahren JS (2010) Recognition and significance of sharp-based mouth-bar deposits in the Eocene Green River Formation, Uinta Basin, Utah. Sedimentology 57:1069–1087
Spencer CH (1987) Provisional stratigraphy and correlation of the Tertiary rocks in the Jeddah Region. Ministry of the Petroleum and Mineral Resources. Deputy Ministry for Mineral Resources. Open File Report of 06–17 37 pp
Steel RJ, Thompson DB (1983) Structures and textures in Triassic braided stream conglomerates (‘Bunter’ Pebble Beds) in the Sherwood Sandstone Group, North Staffordshire, England. Sedimentology 30:341–367
Syvitski JP, Morehead MD (1999) Estimating river-sediment discharge to the ocean: application to the Eel Margin, northern California. Mar Geol 154:13–28
Talbot MR, Allen PA (1996) Lakes. In: Reading HG (ed) Sedimentary environments: processes, facies and stratigraphy, 3rd edn. Blackwell, Oxford, pp 83–124
Tanner LH, Lucas SG (2010) Deposition and deformation of fluvial-lacustrine sediments of the Upper Triassic—Lower Jurassic Whitmore Point Member, Moenave Formation, northern Arizona. Sed Geo 223:180–191
Todd SP (1989) Stream-driven, high density gravelly traction carpets: possible deposits in the Trabeg Conglomerate Formation, SW Ireland, and some theoretical considerations of their origin. Sedimentology 36:513–530
Tunbridge LP (1984) Facies models for a sandy ephemeral stream and playa complex; the middle Devonian Trentishoe Formation of north Devon, U.K. Sedimentology 31:697–715
Voggenreiter W, Hötzel H (1989) Kinematic evolution of the southwestern Arabian continental margin: implications for the origin of the Red Sea. J African Earth Sci 8:541–564
Acknowledgment
The review comments of Osman Salad Hersi, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman, substantially improved the manuscript.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ghandour, I.M., Al-Washmi, H.A. Stratigraphic architecture of the fluvio-lacustrine deposits, Bathan Formation, Al-Rehaili area, North Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Arab J Geosci 6, 995–1010 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-011-0404-6
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-011-0404-6