The structure of the Gulf of Suez (Clysmic) rift, with special reference to the eastern side

摘要: The stratigraphical sequence includes Palaeozoic (resting unconformably upon a Pre-Cambrian peneplane), Mesozoic and Tertiary rocks. These were deposited uniformly over the entire region although in Egypt succession thins towards south. Miocene rocks rest on earlier strata with which they contrast sharply showing remarkable facies changes closely related to structural movements. Igneous activity was subdued scale confined Oligocene times. Dykes generally run parallel main Clysmic rift trend. Rift faulting initiated continued into post-Miocene In addition major marginal faults there are many tilted blocks typify pre-Miocene faulting. On west some of these eroded down Basement before deposition sediments. east such exhibit only slight erosion probably not uplifted until late eastern boundary is marked by synthetic downthrows 1000 metres or more, but one restricted area downwarp broken antithetic faults. characterized anticlinal flexures associated rejuvenation There no evidence lateral movement follow ancient trends. Sinai peninsula trend-lines show twofold directional pattern, Gulf Akada Suez respectively. angle between them suggests series conjugate pairs, originating as transcurrent response north-south compression. If this case, strike-slip movements ceased earliest strata. at least old Carboniferous. seems have remained insulated from great shiftwhich claimed for Akaba-Jordan considered be linked divergence Red Sea counter- clockwise rotation Arabia. However, suggest that, since Eocene times, has been growing margins south, producing small counter-clockwise Sinai.