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Stratigraphy

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Understanding What is the Stratigraphy


and its benefits?
Familiarize you with the Different Branches and
Tools of Stratigraphy
Acquiring The Skill Of How To Differentiate A
Sedimentary Succession Into Distinct
Stratigraphic Units With Well Defined
Boundaries?
What is Stratigraphy ?
Stratigraphy is the branch of geology that
deals with all rock strata forming the Earths
crust to organize them in Space and time.
Eocene Carbonates

It includes their : Unit VII

description,
Unit VI

Unit V

classification, Unit IV

naming and
Unit III
correlation.
Fundamentals of Stratigraphy
Stratigraphic Relationships
Geochronology- Vs Chrono-stratigraphy
Geochronology is the science that deals with
and classifies the geologic time.
Geologic time is the millions of years that
have passed since the creation of the Earth
Chronostratigraphy is the science that deals
with and classifies all materials and events that
occurred and recorded in the different geologic
time intervals since the formation of the Earth
Fundamentals of Stratigraphy
Geochronologic units: geologic time is divided
and assigned into units that can be expressed
either numerically by years or by special ranks of
names.
Assignment by years:
1- Date: is the precise or defined year of the
event, and expressed by:
1.1 Ma for millions of Yr., or
1.2 Ka for thousands of Yr., or
1.3 Ga for thousands of millions of Yr.
Ex. The Gulf of Suez started rifting since Ma 23
from past., and ceased rifting since Ma 5 from
Fundamentals of Stratigraphy
Assignment by years:
Ex. The Pliocene rocks started deposition since
Ma 5 from past
2- An interval is the span of time that is
spent from staring and ending dates of a
certain geologic event and expressed by
symbols: my or m.y. or m.yr. Ex. The Gulf of
Suez rifting spent 18my
Assignment by names and ranks:
Geologic time is divided into named
ranks based on the duration of time
spent (time interval).
Fundamentals of Stratigraphy
Assignment by names and ranks:
These named ranks include in descending order:

1- Eons: are the longest period of time. The


entire geologic time is divided into three Eons
being from older to younger:
1.1 Archaeozoic Eon terminated at Ga 2.5
1.2 Proterozoic Eon from Ga 2.5 to Ma 570
1.3 Phanerozoic Eon from Ma 570 to present.

2- Eras: are the subdivision of Eons. The


Phanerozoic Eon is divided into three Eras being
from older to younger:
Fundamentals of Stratigraphy
Assignment by names and ranks:
1. Paleozoic Era
2. Mesozoic Era
3. Cenozoic Era
3- Periods: are the subdivision of Eras, and
are the fundamental time units. Ex. The
Mesozoic Era is divided into three Periods
being from older to younger:
1. Triassic Period
2. Jurassic Period
3. Cretaceous Period
Fundamentals of Stratigraphy

Assignment by names and ranks:

4 - Epochs: are the subdivision of Periods, and


commonly are assigned by terms Early, Middle
and Late, or by names. Ex the Cretaceous
Period is divided into: Early Cretaceous and
Late Cretaceous Epochs while the Paleogene
Period is divided from older to younger into
1. Paleocene Epoch
2. Eocene Epoch
3. Oligocene Epoch
Fundamentals of Stratigraphy
Assignment by names and ranks:
5- Age: are the subdivision of Epochs, and are
the smallest commonly used divisions of
geologic time. Ex. The Eocene Epoch is divided
from older to younger into four ages:
1. Ypressian
2. Lutetian
3. Bartonian
4- Priabonian
6- Chrons: are short intervals of time but are
not widely used.
Fundamentals of Stratigraphy

Chronostratigraphy is the science that deals


with and classifies all materials and events that
occurred and recorded in the different geologic
time intervals since the formation of the Earth

Chronostratigraphic units; are units of


materials and events representing a certain
geologic time unit. They include in descending
order:
Fundamentals of Stratigraphy
Chronostratigraphic units
1- Eonothem is a unit of materials or events
occurred during a certain Eon
2- Erathem is a unit of materials or events
occurred during a certain Era
3- System is a unit of materials or events
occurred during a certain Period. Ex. Jurassic
System, Cambrian System
4- Series is a unit of materials or events
occurred during a certain Epoch.
5- Stage is a unit of materials or events
occurred during a certain age.
Branches of Stratigraphy
Stratigraphy comprises several branches:
Lithostratigraphy
Biostratigraphy
Seismo-stratigraphy
Sequence stratigraphy
Cyclo-stratigraphy
Magneto-stratigraphy
Chrono-stratigraphy
Chemostratigrapgy
Litho-Stratigraphy

Lithostratigraphy is the branch that deals


with the description and systematic
organization of a rock succession into
distinctive named rock units based solely
on the lithological characters of the rocks
and their stratigraphic relation.
Litho-Stratigraphy
Litho-Stratigraphy
LITHOSTRATIGRAPHIC CLASSIFICATION
LITHOSTRATIGRAPHIC UNIT is a body of
rocks that is defined and recognized on the
basis of:
1- its observable and distinctive homogeneous
lithologic properties and its stratigraphic
relation.
2- It may be composed of consolidated or
unconsolidated sediments
3- lithologic diversity may in itself constitute
a form of overall lithologic unity.
Litho-Stratigraphy
Litho-Stratigraphy

4- Definition of lithostratigraphic units must be


solely based on description of the lithologic
composition, irrespective to their age, the time
span they represent their geologic history or the
manner of formation and their geophysical
properties.

5- Fossils are not essential parameter but may


be an important physical constituent in
recognizing of a lithostratigraphic unit.
Litho-Stratigraphy
RANKS OF LITHOSTRATIGRAPHIC UNITS
Super-Group
Group
Sub-Group
Formation
member
Lens and tongue
Bed
Litho-Stratigraphy

A Formation is the fundamental unit of


lithostratigraphic classification.

The formation must be a mapable rock


unit at the surface and traceable in the
subsurface.
Litho-Stratigraphy

A formation is a body of rocks that is distinct


from the encompassing bodies by its lithology
or lithofacies parameters.

The lithofacies parameters include:


1- rocks lithology and mineralogy
2- Sedimentary structures,
3- gross faunal / floral content,
4- depositional aspect,
5- Formation thickness that ranges from less
than one meter to many hundreds of meters.
Litho-Stratigraphy
RANKS OF LITHOSTRATIGRAPHIC UNITS

Super-Group
Group
Sub-Group Group
Formation
member
Lens and tongue
Bed
Litho-Stratigraphy
2- A member is the formal lithostratigraphic unit next
in rank below a formation and is always a part of a
formation.

It has lithological characteristics that is distinguished it


from the rest of the formation but the difference is not
sufficient that distinguish it as a formation.

No fixed standard is required for the extent, thickness and


mappability of the member.

A member may have a lateral extent being less than that of its
parent formation or extends from one formation to another.
Litho-Stratigraphy

Members
Litho-Stratigraphy

3- A lens is a restricted shaped body of rock of


different lithology than the unit that encloses it.

4- A tongue is a projecting part of a lithostratigraphic


unit extending beyond its main body.
Litho-Stratigraphy
5- Bed. It is the smallest unit within the scheme
of formal stratigraphic classification.
It is sufficiently distinctive or marker to be used for
correlation. ex. coal seems, flint bed, oyster bank,
ammonite bed, phosphoric bed and evaporitic bed.
Litho-Stratigraphy
6- Group is the rank above the formation. It
comprises two or more adjacent formations with
significant lithological and genetic features, and
are commonly bounded by unconformities.
The constituent formations of a group
need not be the same in all areas.
The formation doesnt have to be part of a
group but it may pass laterally from one group
to another.
Litho-Stratigraphy
STRATOTYPE & TYPE AREA
1- STRATOTYPE (TYPE SECTION). It is a specific
section 0f an interval in a succession of rock strata
that constitutes the standard for the definition and
characterization of a stratigraphic unit and its
boundaries.

G. El Dist is the type section of the


Bahariya Formation
Litho-Stratigraphy

HOLOSTRATOTYPE. The original stratotype


designated by the original author at the time of
proposing a stratigraphic unit or boundary.

PARASTRATOTYPE. A supplementary stratotype


used in the original definition by the original
author to illustrate the diversity or heterogeneity
of the defined stratigraphic unit or some critical
features not evident or exposed in the
holostratotype.
Litho-Stratigraphy
NEOSTRATOTYPE. A new stratotype selected to replace an
older one, which has been destroyed, covered, or otherwise
made inaccessible.
Litho-Stratigraphy

TYPE AREA.
(TYPE
REGION). The
geographic area
that
encompasses
the stratotype
of a
stratigraphic
unit or
stratigraphic
boundary.
Litho-Stratigraphy
Lithostratigraphic nomenclature
Formal nomenclature
Ideally, the name of a lithostratigraphic unit
should have three components up of:
a geographic name, lithology and standard
hierarchical term, ex Esna Shale Formation.
In practice, most lithostratigraphic units are
refereed to by two part names; geographic
and rank or lithologies,
1- Thebes Formation 2- Sudr Chalk
Litho-Stratigraphy
Lithostratigraphic nomenclature
Formal nomenclature

Whether names are three or two parts, they


bear initial capitals. Qualifying terms such as
lower, middle and upper are for informal use
only and therefore used without initial capitals.
1- Ex. Galala Formation
2- lower Bahariya member
Litho-Stratigraphy
Lithostratigraphic nomenclature
Formal nomenclature
Whether a new or existing name of
lithostratigraphic unit is applied, the
derivative of the units name should be
indicated and references should be given
indicating the nomenclature history.
In the case of new units, the geographic place
name should be recognized geographically and
the unit should be developed.
Litho-Stratigraphy
Lithostratigraphic nomenclature
Formal nomenclature
The area or the locality should be familiar
for most workers and be located in
topographic sheets .
The same name should not be used for
more than one unit even if that unit is of
different ranks.
Low of priority: Before addressing a new
name for a certain stratigraphic unit, it must
be sure that this unit was not named
previously
Litho-Stratigraphy
Lithostratigraphic nomenclature
Informal nomenclature
Informal stratigraphic terminology uses unit
terms that are not necessarily being a part of a
specific scheme of stratigraphic code or
classification.
Informal terms may be appropriately used for
aquifers, oil and\ gas reservoirs, coal beds,
quarry layers (e.g. Abu Roash A, B,
Cmembers).
Litho-Stratigraphy
Lithostratigraphic nomenclature
Informal nomenclature
Informal terminology is widespread for
individual workers during the course of
developing initial stratigraphic framework for an
area.
the initial informal lithostratigraphic
classification can then be compared with a
published formal schemes from the same or
adjacent areas.
Litho-Stratigraphy
Lithostratigraphic nomenclature

Changing lithostratigraphic nomenclature


Once the lithostratigraphic name was
established, it should not be changed.
Nevertheless, modification are
sometimes required when:
1- More detailed work with more
information are available.
2- a new exposure of the unit exists
providing a new information.
Litho-Stratigraphy
Lithostratigraphic nomenclature
Nomenclature of non-stratified rocks
(Lithodemic units)
Lithodemic classification is applied for
intrusive igneous, metamorphic and highly
deformed rocks, which are not stratified and
dont conform to the role of superposition. Like
lithostratigraphic units, Lithodemic units are
defined, distinguished and classified on the basis
of lithological characters.
Litho-Stratigraphy
Lithostratigraphic nomenclature
RANKS OF LITHODEMIC UNITS

Lithodeme. It is the fundamental Lithodemic


unit and is equivalent to formational rank.
Suite. It is equivalent to rank Group.
Supersuite. It is equivalent to rank
Supergroup.
Litho-Stratigraphy

RANKS OF LITHODEMIC UNITS

Complex. A complex is a lithostratigraphic unit


composed of diverse types of any class or
classes (sedimentary, igneous, and
metamorphic) being characterized by irregularly
mixed lithology or by highly complicated
structural relations to the extent that the original
sequence of the component rocks may be
obscured, and the individual rocks cannot be
readily mapped.

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