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A Miocene-restricted platform of the Zibane zone (Saharan Atlas, Algeria), depositional sequences and paleogeographic reconstruction

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Abstract

Depositional sequences and paleogeographic evolution of the Miocene deposits have been studied in the Zibane zone (Saharan Atlas, Algeria) located at the north of the African platform. During the Miocene, this region corresponded to a fault-bounded collapse area and filled by diversified deposits, showing important lateral facies and thicknesses variations. The studied deposits are divided into five depositional sequences separated by major unconformities. These depositional sequences are well developed in the whole basin and testify a paleogeographic differentiation from E–W, induced by a set of NW-SE-trending old faults inherited from the Atlasic orogeny. The organization and the development of those sequences make it possible to correlate them better to the basin scale, which is integrated in a model of restricted platform intersected by NW-SE faults where the tectonic-sedimentation duality is predominant. These new data point to a paleogeographic evolution different from the one usually admitted environment for this region during Miocene time and plead in favour of a reconsideration of the depositional environments of the post-Burdigalian formations in the Zibane zone of the Algerian Atlasic domain.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre universitaire de Mila, LSNM, BP 26 RP, Mila, 43000, Algérie

    Mohamed Chebbah

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  1. Mohamed Chebbah
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Correspondence to Mohamed Chebbah.

Appendices

Appendix A

Table 1 Relative abundance of sand, silt and clay percentages and granulometric indices of studied samples collected from Miocene deposits in the Zibane zone
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Appendix B

Fig. 5
figure 5

a The early Miocene clays (sequence 1 and sequence 2) in the SE sector (Branis) a Greenish brown clays with gypsum (sequence 1) unconformably overlies the anti-Miocene formations (substratum) and overlain by greenish brown clays with oysters (the basis of sequence 2), b Brown clays with echinoids (the summit of sequence 2). b a. The Burdigalian limestones (sequence 2) in the central sector (El Outaya, East Oued Biskra) overlain by the sequence 3 (Middle Miocene), b Close-up of the sequences 3 and 4 in the central sector (El Outaya, East Oued Biskra) c a Yellow-green gypseous clays (sequence 1) unconformably overlies the anti-Miocene formations (substratum) and overlain by alternation of conglomerate bars and clays (sequence 2), b Close-up of the sequence 2 where conglomerate bars showing a clear stratification

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Fig. 6
figure 6

a General view of sequence 3, clays-gypsum alternation; beds of gypsum draw a clear parallel stratification in this sequence, NE sector. b The Messinian unconformity overlies the Tortonian which in turn unconformably overlain by the Pliocene in the NE sector. c General view of the Miocene showing various unconformities registered in the SE sector

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Fig. 7
figure 7

Some sedimentological features of the Miocene deposits in the Zibane zone. a Clay facies containing gypsum crystals (arrows), sequence 1, NE sector (Branis). b Clay facies showing a synsedimentary deformation, sequence 3, SE sector (Droh). c Sandstone facies with erosive contact (arrows) showing large parallel stratifications, sequence 4, West Oued Biskra, El Outaya. d Close-up of sandstones with conglomerate base, sequence 4, SE sector, Chetma. e Sandstones with parallel to slightly wavy stratifications, NE sector, Branis. f Sandstone facies showing large parallel stratifications, central sector. g Parallel then cross-bedded stratification of the sandstones, sequence 4, East Oued Biskra, El Outaya. h Erosive contact between clay facies-SD4 (below) and sand facies with conglomerate base SD5 (above) in the SE sector (Lahbel). i Parallel then oblique stratification in the sandstones, sequence 4, SE sector, Lahbel. j General view of conglomerate facies in the NE sector. k Sandy-conglomeratic facies association showing trough cross-bedded stratifications, SE sector (Chetma)

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Fig. 8
figure 8

Some sedimentological features of the Miocene deposits in the Zibane zone (following). a Sandstones with conglomeratic crossings, sequence 4, West Oued Biskra, El Outaya. b Alternation of clays and sandstones, sequence 4, SE sector, Lahbel. c Large parallel stratifications in the sandstones, sequence 3, East Oued Biskra, El outaya. d Clay facies, sequence 3, SE sector, Droh. e Cross-bedded sandstone facies, sequence 5, SE sector, Chetma. f Trough-cross stratifications in the sandstones, sequence 5, Lahbel. h and g Current figures in the sandstones, sequence 5, SE sector, Droh. i sandstones with parallel laminations, sequence 3, El Outaya, West Oued Biskra. j Oblique stratifications in the sandstones, sequence 4, SE sector, Chetma

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Chebbah, M. A Miocene-restricted platform of the Zibane zone (Saharan Atlas, Algeria), depositional sequences and paleogeographic reconstruction. Arab J Geosci 9, 151 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-015-2132-9

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