Slope sediments of a Paleocene ramp-to-basin transition in NE Egypt
Sedimentary structures, microfacies and stratigraphy of a late Paleocene ramp-to-basin transi- tion have been studied in the Galala Mountains in the northern part of the Eastern Desert of Egypt. Three phases of ramp progradation were observed. During non-progradation hemipelagic sediments were inter- calated. These progradational phases are indicated by mass-transport deposits of glides slumps and debris flows which came from different directions except from the south. At least two of these mass-transport deposits may reflect deposition during sea-level low- stands, whereas the hemipelagic intercalations indicate transgressive phases. Microfacies analysis provided evidence of a change in the origin of the debris flow deposits. They show a transition from a basinal-to-out- er-ramp setting to a middle-to-inner-ramp setting and a change in organism distribution. While coralline red algae prevailed on the inner ramp in the Selandian to Thanetian, nummulitids dominated in the late Thane- tian.