Abstract
The research offers a perspective on the hierarchical facies and the development of an Oligo-Miocene sequence of pyroclastics and lava flows within a continental rift associated with the tectonic activity of the Red Sea. The study deals with genesis, eruption mechanism, magma type, paleo-depositional evolution, and post-depositional history of the studied volcanic rocks overlying the fluviomarine rock sequence of the Jebel Qatrani Formation at Tell El-Zalat, northern Western Desert of Egypt. The study was conducted using an integrated methodology that combines facies analysis and geochemistry. This approach involved field observations, optical polarizing microscopy examination, and the utilization of X-ray fluorescence and energy dispersive X-ray analyses. The present contribution recognizes two facies association represented by lower stratified tuff and upper flood basalt based on their stratigraphic position, lithology, microscopic features, and geochemical attributes. The lower stratified tuff facies is differentiated into three distinct sub-facies that were evolved from calc-alkaline magma and rang in composition from basaltic andesite to rhyolite. Microscopically, the tuff consists of coarse crystal tuff, lithic crystal lapilli tuff, dolomitic coarse crystal tuff, and calcareous-siliceous crystal tuff microfacies. The existence of calcareous body and immiscible calcareous-siliceous zones comprising scattered micro-diamond grains within the lower stratified tuff indicates mantle metasomatism. The upper flood basalt flow was evolved from silica-saturated tholeiitic magma ascent along fissures initiated during Pre-Cambrian and have been reactivated in Oligo-Miocene time. The basalt flow comprises porphyritic olivine basalt and hypocrystalline basalt microfacies types. The alteration in volcanic activity style within Tell El-Zalat area is evident. The shift in the volcanic eruption mechanism is substantiated by the facies hierarchy, with tuffs at the base and basalt lava flow at the summit. The close spatial stratigraphic relationship between the two facies indicates that there were no significant variations in tectonic conditions.
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The authors appreciate Mr. Mostufa Masoud, and Miss Esraa Gamal, Geology Department, Faculty of Science, for their help during sample preparation for XRD and XRF analyses. The author would like to thank Editor-in-Chief and unknown reviewers for their constructive comments and suggestions that significantly improved the manuscript.
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Badawy, H.S., Shahien, M.G. Evolution of mid-Tertiary continental pyroclastic-flood basalt facies association within the context of the Red Sea rifting, northern Western Desert, Egypt. Arab J Geosci 17, 72 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-024-11870-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-024-11870-2