Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Evidence for shallow-marine origin of a ‘Monterey-formation type’ chert-phosphorite-dolomite seqence: Amman formation (Late cretaceous), Central Jordan

Eine Chert-Phosphorit-Dolomit-Abfolge flachmariner Entstehung vom ‘Monterey-Typ’: Amman Formation (Oberkreide), Zentraljordanien

  • Published:
Facies Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The late Cretaceous Amman Formation in central Jordan consists of cherts, porcelanites, dolomites and phosphorites with various limestones types. It is subdivided into five mapable lithological units: Mixed Mineralogy Unit, Porcelanite Unit, Chalk Unit, Main Chert Unit and Phosphorite Unit. The microfacies indicates a deposition within a shallow-marine inner epicontinental shelf environment ranging from supratidal to deep subtidal. The depositional model of the Amman Formation differs, therefore, from that of the Monterey Formation which is generally regarded as a model for a phosphorite-chertdolomite association formed in deeper outer shelf and slope environments. Cherts and porcelanites are of biogenic origin, they were formed by an early diagenetic replacement of lime mudstones and lime packstones.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abed, A.M. (1984): Emergence of Wadi Mujib (Central Jordan) during the Lower Cenomanian time and its regional tectonic implication.—In:Dixon, J. & Robertson, A. (eds.): The Geological Evolution in the Eastern Mediterranean.—Geol. Soc. London, Spec. Publ.17, 213–216, London

  • — (1989): On the genesis of the phsophorite-chert association of the Amman Formation in the Tel Es Sur area, Ruseifa, Jordan. —Sci. Geol. Bull.42, 141–153 Strasbourg

    Google Scholar 

  • Abed, A.M. &Al-Agha, M.R. (1989): Petrography, geochemistry and origin of the NW Jordan phosphorites.—J. Geol. Soc. London146, 499–506, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Abed, A.M. &Amireh, B.S. (1983): Petrography and geochemistry of some Jordan oils shales from the north Jordan.—J. Petrol. Geol.5, 261–274, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Abed, A.M. &Ashour, M. (1987): Petrography and age determination of the NW Jordan phosphorites.—Dirasat14, 247–263, Amman

    Google Scholar 

  • Abed, A.M. &El Hiyari, M. (1986): Depositional environments and paleogeography of the Cretaceous gypsum horizon in west central Jordan.—Sediment. Geol.17, 109–123, Amsterdam

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Abed, A.M. & Fakhouri, K. (1990): Role of microbial processes in the genesis of Jordanian Upper Cretaceous phosphorites.—In:Jarvis, A. (ed.) Phosphorites Achievments and Products.— Spec. Publ. Geol. Soc. London,52, 193–203, London

  • Abed, A.M. &Schneider, W. (1982): The Cenomanian Nodular Limestone Member of Jordan from the subtidal to supratidal environment.—N. Jb. Geol. Paläont. Mh.1982/9,513–522, Stuttgart

    Google Scholar 

  • Al-Hawari, Z. (1986): Clay minerals associated with the Jordan phosphates and their possible industrial utilization.—M., Sci. Thesis, Univ. Jordan, 142 pp. (unpublished)

  • Atalla, M. (1981): Geology and structures of the area east of the Dead Sea.—M. Sci. Thesis, Univ. Jordan, 54 pp. (unpublished)

  • Bandel, K. &Mikbel, S.H. (1985): Origin and deposition of phosphate ores from the Upper Cretaceous at Ruseifa (Amman, Jordan).—Publ. Geol. Paläont. Inst. Univ. Hamburg,59, 167–188, Hamburg

    Google Scholar 

  • Barbieri, F., Capaidi, G., Gasperini, P., Marinelli, G., Santacroce, R., Scadone, R., Treul, M. & Varet, J. (1979): Recent basaltic volcanism of Jordan and its implication on the geodynamic history of the Dead Sea shear zone.—Intern. Symp. Geodyn. Evolution Afro-Arabian Rift System, 667–682, Rome

  • Bender, F. (1974): Geology of Jordan.—196 pp., Berlin (Bomtraeger)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bentor, Y.K. (1980): Phosphorites.—Soc. Economic Paleont. Miner., Spec. Publ.,29, 3–18, Tulsa

    Google Scholar 

  • Bowen, R. &Jux, U. (1987): Afro-Arabian geology.—295 pp., pls. London (Chapman & Hall)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bramletie, M.N. (1946): The Monterey Formation of California an the origin of its siliceous rocks.—U.S. Geol. Surv. Prof. Paper212, 57 pp., Washington

  • Burdon, D.J. (1959): Handbook of the geology of Jordan to ac-company and explain the three sheets of the 1∶250000 geologial map east of the rift byA.M. Quennell.—82 pp., Amman

  • Compton, J.S. & Siever, R. (1984): Stratigraphy and dolostone occurrence in the Miocene Monterey Formation, Santa Maria Basin area, California.—In:Garrison, R., Kastner, M. & Zenger, D. (eds.): Dolomites in the Monterey Formation and Other Organic-Rich Units.—Soc. Econ. Pal. Miner., Pacific Section, Spec. Publ.,41, 141–155, Los Angeles

  • Cook, P.J. & Shergold, J.H. (1987): Phosphate deposits of the world. Vol. 1: Proterozoic and Cambrian Phsophorites.—1–8 (Cambridge University Press)

  • Cressman, E.R. (1962): Data of geochemistry.—U.S. Geol. Surv. Prof. Paper,440-T, 1–23, Washington

    Google Scholar 

  • Dahanayake, K. &Krumbein, W.E. (1985): Ultrastructure of a microbial mat generated phosphorite.—Mineralium Deposita20, 260–265, Berlin

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • El-Harithi, T. (1983): Stratigraphy and micropaleontology of the Lower Belga Group.—M. Sci. Thesis, Univ. of Jordan, 142 pp., (unpublished)

  • Garfunkel, Z. (1978): The Negev: Regional synthesis of sedimentary basins. Sedimentology in Israel, Cyprus and Turkey.— 10 th Intern. Congr. Sedimentology, Guidebook, Part 1, 35–110, Jerusalem

    Google Scholar 

  • Glenn, C.R. &Arthur, H.A. (1990): Anatomy and origin of a Cretceous phosphorite—greensand giant, Egypt. —Sedimentology37, 123–154, Oxford

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ISAACS, C.M. (1984): Disseminated dolomite in the Monterey Formation, Santa Mariia and Santa Barbara areas, California.— In:Garrison, R., Kastner, M. & Zenger, D. (eds.): Dolomites in the Montery Formation and Other Organic-Rich Units. —Soc. Econ. Pal. Miner., Pacific Section, Spec. Publ.41, 171–185, Los Angeles

  • James, N.P. (1979): Shallowing-upwards sequences in carbonates. —In:Walker, R.C. (ed.): Facies Models.—Geoscience Canada, Reprint Series,1, 126–136, Toronto

  • Jones, J.B. &Segnit, E.R. (1971): The nature of opal. 1. Nomenclature and constituent phases.—J. Geol. Soc. Australia18, 5768, Adelaide

    Google Scholar 

  • Kastner, M., Mertz, K., Hollander, D. & Garrison, R. (1984): The association of dolomite-phosphorite-chert: Causes and possible diagenetic sequences.—In:Garrison, R., Kastner, M. & Zenger, D. (eds.): Dolomites of the Monterey Formation and Other Organic-Rich Units.—Soc. Econ. Pal. Miner., Pacific Section, Spec. Publ.,41, 75–87, Los Angeles

  • Khalid, H. &Abed, A.M. (1982): Petrography and geochemistry of Esh-Shidiya phosphorites.—Dirasat9, 81–101, Amman

    Google Scholar 

  • Kolodny, Y. (1967): Lithosstratigraphy of the Mishash Formation, Negev..—Israel J. Earth Sci.16, 57–73, Jerusalem

    Google Scholar 

  • Kraishan, G.M. (1988): Sedimentology and geocheistry of Amman Formation in Wadi Mujib area, Central Jordan.—M. Sci. Thesis, Univ. of Jordan, 168 pp. (unpublished)

  • Laschet, C. (1984): On the origin of cherts.—Facies10, 257–290, Erlangen

    Google Scholar 

  • Masri, M. (1963): Report on the geology of the Amman-Zerqa area.—Central Water Authority, 74 pp., Amman

    Google Scholar 

  • Mertz, K.A. Jr. (1984): Diagenetic aspects, Sandholt Member, Miocene Monterey Formation, Santa Lucia Mountains, California: Implications for depositional and burial environments.— In:Garrison, R., Kastner, M. & Zenger, D. (eds.): Dolomites of the Monterey Formation and Other Organic-Rich Units.—Soc. Econ. Pal. Miner., Pacific Section, Spec. Publ.41, 49–75, Los Angeles

  • O’Brian, G., Harris, J., Milnes, A. &Veeh, H. (1981): Bacterial origin of east Australian phosphorites.—Nature,294, 442–444, London

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oehler, J.H. (1975): Origin and distribution of silica lepispheres in porcelanite from the Montery Formation of California.—J. Sed. Petrol.45, 252–257, Tulsa

    Google Scholar 

  • Picard, L. (1943): Structures and evolution of Palestine.—Bull. Geol. Dept. Hebrew Univ.4, 1–134, Jerusalem

    Google Scholar 

  • Pisciotto, K.A. & Garrison, R.E. (1981): Lithofacies and depositional environments of the Montery Formation, California.— InGarrison, R., Douglas, R. Pisciotto, K, Isaacs, C. & Ingle, J. (eds.): The Monterey Formation and related siliceous rocks of California.—Soc. Econ. Paleont. Miner., Pacific Section, Spec. Publ.15, 97–123, Los Angeles

  • Ruef, M. & Jresat, K. (1965): Geology of Jiza-Qatrana area, Central Jorda.—German Geological Mission to Jordan, unpublished report

  • Sheldon, R.P. (1987): Association of phosphatic and siliceous marine seimentars deposits.—In:Hein, J.R. (ed.): Siliceoaus Seimentary Rock-Hosted Ares and Petroleum.—58–80, New York (Nostrand)

    Google Scholar 

  • Soudry, D., Moshkoovitz, M., &Ehrlich, A. (1981): Occurrence of siliceous microfossils (diatoms, silicoflagellate and sponge spicules) in the Campanian Mishash Formation, southern Israel.— Eclogae Geol. Helvetiae,74, 97–107, Basel

    Google Scholar 

  • Soudry, D., Nathan, Y. &Roded, R. (1985): The Ashoosh-Haroz facies and their significance for the Mishash paleogeography and phosphorite accumulation in the northern and central Negev.—Israel. J. Earth Sci.34, 211–220, Jerusalem

    Google Scholar 

  • Soudry, D. &Lewy, Z. (1988): Microbially induced formation of phsophate nodules and megafossil molds. Negev, Southern Israel.—Paleogeor. Paleoclim. Paleoecol.64, 15–34, Amsterdam

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steinitz, G. (1974): Paleogeography of the Menuha and Mishash Formations in the eastern Ramon area, southern Israel.—Israel J. Earth Sci.26, 70–75, Jerusalem

    Google Scholar 

  • Steinitz, G. (1977): Evaporite-chert associations in Senonian bedded cherts, Israel.—Notes Mém. Moyen Orient7, 95–188, Rabat

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, J.L. (1975): Carbonate facies in geologic history.—471 pp. Berlin (Springer)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wise, S. Jr., Buie, B. &Weaver, F. (1972): Chemically precipitated sedimentary cristobalite and the origin of chert.—Eclogae Geol. Helv.65, 157–163, Basel

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology and Mineralogy, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan

    Abdulkader M. Abed &  Ghazi M. Kraishan

Authors
  1. Abdulkader M. Abed
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ghazi M. Kraishan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Abed, A.M., Kraishan, G.M. Evidence for shallow-marine origin of a ‘Monterey-formation type’ chert-phosphorite-dolomite seqence: Amman formation (Late cretaceous), Central Jordan. Facies 24, 25–37 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02536839

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02536839

Keywords

Search

Navigation