Alexandria-Wadi Natrun
Event timing: 25 January 2008
The Event: Alexandria-Wadi Natrun Field Trip
Aim of the event: Seeing sabkhas and salts, visiting Qaitbai Citadel.
Under the supervision of:
Prof. Mohammed Fouad, Dr. Osama Attia, Dr. Amir M. Hassan, Dr. Moataz M.Adel, Dr. Mohammed Korani, Dr. Saed Zidan, Dr. Nada Amer.
Ain El-Sokhna
The Event: Ain El-Sokhna Field Trip
Aim of the event: Studying hotsprings at Hammam Faraon Area and studying Khashm El-Galala outcrop.
Under the supervision of:
Dr. Mohammed Saleh, Dr. Amir M. Hassan, Dr. Walid Gamal, Dr. Mohammed Korani
Field Trip Guide
Ain Sukhna (Ain Sukhna, Ein Soukhna, Ein Sukhna, Ain Sokhna, el-Soukhna) on the Gulf of Suez has often been referred to as a town, but is really not. Ain Soukhna can be translated as "hot spring" and the name originates from sulfur hot springs in Gebal Ataqa (similar to that of Hammam Faroun), a nearby Eastern Desert mountain. These springs occurs along the linked fault system. It is a region that stretches from just south of Suez down the coast for about sixty kilometres, and mostly consists of a port along with a series of resort complexes, with a few independent restaurants, gas stations and other facilities scattered along the coastal road. It seems only natural for this region to be so developed, considering that it represents the closest beaches to Cairo, one of the largest cities in the world.
Program of the Day
8 Departure from the meeting point at Cairo University
8 am to 1 pm Geology of Qattamia-Ain-Sukhna Road.
We will have chance to examine the following geological spots
Spot (1) Sama Tower: Upper Eocene syn-depositional structures
Spot (2) Road Toll station: Fossil bank of Carolia (index fossil of Late Eocene)
Spot (3) Mobnil network Tower: Oligo-Miocene volcanic occurrence
Spot (4) East of G. Rayyahhat: Oligocene clastics of Gebel Ahmer Fm
Spot (5) Khashm El Galala: Khashm El Galala Fm (Jurassic)
1 pm to 6 pm Sukhna Beach: Time for Fun (at one of Sukhna Resort it is a surprise??).
At the same time we will have chance to think loudly about the history and tectonic evolution of the Rift of Gulf of Suez. When, Why, How, Where was the start (optional)
You do not need to think you can only rest and enjoy the two Ss (sea and sun).
Geology of Qattamia-Ain Sukhna –Khashm El Galala
Simplified description for the exposed rock units (from younger to older)
1- Quaternary sands and gravels
2- Oligo-Miocene sandstones and conglomerates
Gebel Ahmar Fm
Upper part of varicolerd , unstratified sands, gravels, quartizites.
Lower part made of sands and gravels with silicified wood.
3- Oligo-Miocene Volcanics sheets and dikes of coarse grained basalt
4- Eocene
*Late Eocene Wadi Hof Fm (Maddi/ Giushi Fm)
It is made up of marly and sandy brown limestone, marls, shale and sandstones and Ain Musa Bed of dolometic limestone in the Middle part.
Carolia placunoides, Ostrea, Echinolamas , Clypeaster and bryozoa.
*Middle Eocene (Wadi Grawi/El Qarn/Observatory/ Mokattam Fm).
Orange marly limestone, green/orange marl, chalky limestone, no Carolia
*Lower Eocene Thebes Fm
White to light yellow nummulitic limestones rich in Lucina thebaica.
5- Paleocene Esna Shale
Greenish grey shale and marl
6- Turonian-Coniacian chalky limestones and dolomites
7- Cenomanian Galala Fm: green shale and marls with dolometic ledges with Hemiaster cubics, corals and gastropods fossils.
8- Lower Cretaceous Malha Fm
Varicoloured sandstone with clay and marl bands
9- Jurassic Khashm El Galala Fm.
Lower part of varicoloured cross bedded sandstone with mudstone and siltstone intercalations with fossil plant. Upper part made of fossilifreous sandy limestone and sandstone (Rhynconella in two horizons).
Geomorphology
The area could be classified into the following geomorphic units
El Galala El Baharia structural plateau
Mokattam - Abu Shama structural plateau
Wadi Ghoweiba structural plain
Akheider structural plateau
Gulf of Suez Coastal plain
Hagul -Akheider Plain
