SEDIMENTOLOGICAL STUDIES ON THE (KAHYLIA & OKHEIDER MOUNTAINS), MIDDLE EOCENE LIMESTONES, NORTHWEST GULF OF SUEZ, EGYPT

The Middle Eocene limestone succession (of Lutetian age) exposed at the area extends along the Western side of Gulf of Suez to the south western scarp of Gabel Ataqa, including Gabel Kahylia to the north and Gabel Okheider to the south, is differentiated from base to top into: Minia Formation and Mokattam Formation. ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬ The detailed petrographic analyses of 107 samples taken from two measured, stratigraphic sections in the study area, have led to the recognition of six main types of limestone depositional facies they are: Packstone - to gainstone (30%), grainstone (28%), packstone (22.4%), wackestone- to packstone (15%), wackestone (2.8%) and lime -mud to wackestone (1.8%). Field observations, beside microfacies investigation, helped in reaching that the Minia Formation and the overlying Mokattam Formation have been deposited on an isolated shallow marine platform (carbonate bank), reflecting sedimentary environments of Nummulites bank facies, carbonate bar facies and restricted lagoon facies.