A contribution to the geology of the Bahariya Oasis,Western Desert,Egypt

Detailed petrographic investigations of the Upper Cretaceous-Eocene succession exposed at Bahariya Oasis resulted in the recognition of different litho- and biofacies associations, mostly of the carbonate rock type.The litho- and biofacies characters of the Eocene strata reveal comparatively shallow, quiet marine conditions, interrupted by agitated, high energy intervals.During the Maastrichtian age, deeper quiet marine conditions prevailed. The Upper and Lower members of the Campanian strata were deposited under deep quiet marine conditions, relative to shallower agitated conditions that prevailed during the deposition of the middle member.The Lower Cenomanian sediments were deposited under an alternating high and low energy fresh water environment, interrupted with saline (fluviomarine) periods, relative to the comparatively deeper marine conditions that prevailed during the Upper Cenomanian age.The main diagenetic processes recorded are: cementation, aggrading neomorphism, silicification and dolomitization.