"Lower Cretaceous" Stratigraphy of Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates
 
United Arab Emirates - The flag
- A Reappraisal -
 
Shu'aiba-Bab-Sabsab interval [© B. Granier]

by Bruno GRANIER
ADMA-OPCO

Forewords: In the late 60’s - early 70’s, “Geological Liaison Meetings” were arranged to standardize the regional stratigraphic nomenclature. A practical schema of the so-called “Thamama Group” for the U.A.E. was issued by T.H. HASSAN et al. [1975].
Now, 25 years later, it is time to review this early attempt of regional stratigraphic standardization.

 

To get the text, double-click on the Adma icon!      This paper presents a reappraisal of the published stratigraphic nomenclatures of the Lower Cretaceous rocks. Thought it focuses on the Abu Dhabi offshore areas, it also deals with coeval strata from the neighbouring emirates and countries (Oman, Qatar, etc.). A new classification emerges from the review of the operational units in Abu Dhabi. Accordingly, the Kahmah Allogroup (the best substitute for the Thamama Group) as defined herein comprises 7 alloformations/synthems which are from top to bottom: Shu'aiba, Hawar, Kharaib, Lekhwair, Zakum, Belbazem (new name), and Bu Haseer (new name); Bab and - revised - Habshan are excluded from this allogroup and respectively transferred to Wasi'a and Sahtan allogroups. This new classification which is based on ‘unconformity-bounded units’ is supported by both biostratigraphic and sequence stratigraphic evidence. This revised stratigraphic framework suggests a new interpretation of regional basin history.

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