Mansoura University Summer Course (May 2012)

Faculty of Science 2rd level, Petroleum Geology

&Mining
Dept. of Geology
Exam : (Practical)
Course Title & Code:
Advanced Stratigraphy (G Time: An hour and half
226)
Full Mark: 20

Date:20/8/2017

Read carefully and using all the given data to fulfillment the following
requirements:

1- Draw the stratigraphic section for the measured section no 1

illustrating the formations and the sequences boundaries, using all
the integrated data given.
2- Deduce the environments of deposition for each formation in this
section.
3- Calculate the sand/shale ratio and the clastic ratio for the measured
section 1
4- Write report on the stratigrapy of areas given in the attached
section which shows the distribution of biozones of the succession
of west central Sinai?
5- Answer question about the Hypothetical section no 2

The measured section

A hypothetical composite section was measured to study the sequence
stratigraphy by the geologist Ally Ibrahim in a new area nominated Al-
Tahrir. The Four parts of the Cretaceous succession are differentiated
into four formations from base to top:

Part one: 200 meters of sandstones overlies the igneous and

metamorphic rocs. The lowest 25 meters of these sandstones contain
fossil Termitichnus (ichnofacies) which was formed under fully subaerial
conditions, whereas the topmost 25 meters consists of secondary
glauconite-bearing sandstones, the remaining sandstones in-between
are cross bedded. The sandstone constitutes a formation that well
exposed at the village called Al-amal was belong to a Barremian
chronostratigraphic unit (The Barremian Stage is a division of the Lower
Cretaceous).

The formation rest over the igneous and metamorphic rocks

Part two: A formation of total thickness 320 meters consists of six

alternations: three of coarse sandstones and three o shale starting with
sandstones at the base which overlies Al-amal Formation. Each one of
these alternations attains a thickness of 50m. The top of each of the
alternations of sandstones only is characterized by the presence of a
phosphate marker bed. The topmost part of this formation i consists of
20m of paleosoil (old soils).

The sandstones with moderately well-developed stratification yield

disarrayed and fractured pelecypod shells. These sandstones contain
markers oyster bed. A rock sample M1 is collected at a level 40 meters
from the base. The formation of these rocks exposing at The Al-ezaa
type locality belongs to the Aptian (The Aptian is chronostratigraphic
unit belonging to the Lower Cretaceous Series).

Part three: The above mentioned paleosoil (old soils) is covered by a

formation called Thawra Shale which consisting of 100 meters of
alternating shale and siltstone showing well-developed stratification and
containing good preserved fossils. A marker bed of limestone 10 meter
thick was recorded within the sandstones at level of 40 meters from the
base of this formation. The formation was assigned to the Cenomanian
Stage (Cenomanian is a division of the Upper Cretaceous).

Part four: A total thickness of 120m consists an Oyster bed(10m)

followed by Shale (50m), marls (30m) and sandstones (20m) and
finally10m of anther Oyster bank. This part is divided into 4 biozones of
equal thickness. These zones are arranged from bottom to top as
follow:
1- Mammites nodosoides Zone: The zone is defined by the total range of
this species and it is associated with ammonites of Vascoceras cauvini, V.
douvillei and Pseudaspidoceras footeanum. The Age is Early Turonian.
2- Choffaticeras segne Zone: It defined by the total range zone of this
species. Other ammonites include Choffaticeras meslei and Vascoceras
gamai. The age is Early Turonian

3-Coilopceras requienianum Zone: The species is the only ammonites

recorded in this zone. It associated with rich gastropods. The age is
Middle Turonian

4-Durania humei Zone : This zone is defined by the total range zone of
this species which associated with rudists of Durania humei, Biradiolites
austinensis, Praeradiolites aegyptiacus and others. The age is Late
Turonian.

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With best wishes, Professor Dr. Hosni Hamdan Hamama