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Abu Ghaylan Limestone Formation
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Abu Ghaylan Limestone Fm base reconstruction

Abu Ghaylan Limestone Fm


Period: 
Jurassic

Age Interval: 
Hettangian – Callovian, Lb1


Province: 
Libya

Type Locality and Naming

Column: Tripolitania and Sirte Basin; only formation in B'ir Al Ghanam Gr

Synonym:


Lithology and Thickness

Layers of gypsum and anhydrite interbedded with limestone. Massive gypsum ad anhydrite with interbeds of dolomitic limestone and claystones and variegated shales.


Lithology Pattern: 
Gypsum-Anhydrite


Relationships and Distribution

Lower contact

Regionally, the schematic strat column indicates the next older unit as Abu Shaybah Fm

Upper contact

Regionally, the schematic strat column indicates the next younger unit as Chameau Mort Sandstone Fm (Tiji Gr)

Regional extent


GeoJSON

{"type":"Feature","geometry":{"type":"MultiPolygon","coordinates":[[[[16.77,28.92],[17.75,23.9],[18.77,23.18],[19.83,23.81],[20.54,23.72],[21.92,24.26],[23.03,26.98],[23.27,30.13],[21.58,30.61],[20.73,31.1],[20.43,32.4],[20.36,33.26],[19.37,33.11],[18.07,33.46],[18.09,34.15],[17.64,35.35],[16.6,34.88],[14.9,33.89],[13.92,32.67],[15.59,31.26],[15,30.64],[16.77,28.92]]]]}}

Fossils

Unfossiliferous.


Age 

USGS chart places this anhydritic formation at the base of the Lias Stage, at the base of the lower Jurassic. Hettangian - Callovian

Age Span: 

    Beginning stage: 
Hettangian

    Fraction up in beginning stage: 
0.0

    Beginning date (Ma): 
201.36

    Ending stage: 
Callovian

    Fraction up in the ending stage: 
1.0

    Ending date (Ma):  
161.53

Depositional setting

Deposited in an enclosed, evaporitic, subsiding basin


Depositional pattern:  


Additional Information


Compiler:  

Chart derived from: USGS Correlation Chart and Columnar Section for Rocks in Libya, 1963. Descriptions from: Hallet, Don: Petroleum Geology of Libya, 2002.