Seismic stratigraphy of the Nile cone sediments

Abstract EN

Seismic, well velocity , and geologic data have been used to study the seismic stratigraphy of the Nile cone sediments.

Six seismic regional reflectors have been identified, described seismically, mapped and correlated in an attempt to define their ages.

These reflectors are: Q, B, L, P, M and N reflectors.

The oldest of them is reflector N, which represents the base of the Messinian evaporites (distinctive high velocity layer) and floors the cone sediments.

Reflector M is a prominent regional reflector detected only in the cone area and is considered as a key marker in the Geology of the Mediterranean.

It is a strong well persistent reflector that represents the top of the Messinian evaporites.

The sequence above reflector M in the cone comprises three regional reflectors, L, B and Q; their postulated ages according to seismic correlation are: Lower Pliocene, middle Pliocene and lower Pleistocene, respectively.

The stratigraphic sequence on the shelf comprises reflectors Q, B, L and P.

Reflector P is a strong planner reflector that represents a regional erosional surface of the uplifted middle-upper Miocene shelf.

The seismic criteria of reflector P and M are remarkably different which implies that they have different origins and show a gradation from deltaic facies (reflector P) to marine basinal facies (reflector M).

The sequence above reflectors P and M was attributed to mass movement processes and suspenate deposits and is made up mainly by slide, slump, channel and turbidite facies and salt flow deposits.

These deposits form different patterns of Seismic facies including; parallel layered, sheet drape, onlapping fill, sigmoid oblique, chaotic and mounded seismic facies.