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Description, lateral evolution, and geodynamic meaning of a sedimentary unconformity between C2 and C3 units of the Lower Devonian in southern area of the Ahara Spur (southeast Algerian Sahara)

  • S. I. Geology of Africa
  • Published:
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Abstract

Sedimentological unconformities have been considered useful in many recent studies for stratigraphic sequential analysis or in the analysis of general geological topics, as their characteristics impact both sedimentology, paleo-environment, and diagenesis. An interesting example is given by the unconformity between C2 and C3 units of the Siegenian period around the southern boundary of the Ahara spur in the southeast Algerian Sahara. Usually, the limit between C2 and C3 units is plotted as the top of the more shaly deposits of the C2 unit. However, when C3 unit becomes shaly and/or C2 becomes gritty, this limit becomes unclear. In terms of sedimentology, the characteristics of this limit are peculiar in that they correspond to fine deposit levels underlined by ferruginous incrustations so that ferruginous hardpan is generated. It therefore constitutes a sedimentary unconformity assimilated to a lateritic soil. The spatial variability is marked by a strong ratio of spherules in the C2 unit, which attests of a probable relationship between climate and pedogenesis. This unconformity covers the entire studied region. It corresponds to gully erosion in the further south regions. At the northern, as it was distal marine area, it is difficult to locate and trace this boundary. Practically, this boundary as ferruginous hardpan can complicate drilling by introducing slow-drilling and making them unsuitable reservoir.

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Abbreviations

Shale:

Shale

Silt:

Siltstone

VFS:

Very fine sandstone

FS:

Fine sandstone

AAR:

Aïn Antar field

MZE:

Hassi Mazoula Est field

ISB:

Issaouane B field

DTD:

Technology and Development Division (Sonatrach) Petroleum Institute

MS:

Medium sandstone

VCS::

Very coarse sandstone

Cong:

Conglomerate

MZN:

Hassi Mazoula Nord field

STAH:

Stah field

MZS:

Hassi Mazoula Sud field

Beicip-Franlab:

Office of Industrial Studies and Cooperation of the French

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Division of Technology and Development-Sonatrach for providing the data and would like to take this opportunity to express our deepest gratitude and appreciation to the people who have assisted us during the preparation of this paper, especially Dr Kadi, Head of Sedimentotogy Department and Mr. Belambri, Head of Illizi Basin Department (Exploration Division-Sonatrach).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Mineral Resources and Energy (RM&E), Faculty of Hydrocarbons and Chemistry, M’Hamed Bougara University (UMBB), 35000, Boumerdes, Algeria

    Amel Belkacemi & Amar Asses

  2. Laboratory of Geodynamic (G.B.S.O), Faculty of Earth Sciences, Houari Boumediene University (USTHB), Algers, Algeria

    Rachid Hamdidouche

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  1. Amel Belkacemi
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  2. Rachid Hamdidouche
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Correspondence to Amel Belkacemi.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on New Advances and Research Results on the Geology of Africa

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Belkacemi, A., Hamdidouche, R. & Asses, A. Description, lateral evolution, and geodynamic meaning of a sedimentary unconformity between C2 and C3 units of the Lower Devonian in southern area of the Ahara Spur (southeast Algerian Sahara). Arab J Geosci 14, 1053 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-021-07067-6

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