Sedimentology and Evolution of the Fluvial-Deltaic System: A Modern Depositional Model Analog from the Red Sea Coastal Region, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Siliciclastic sediments represent important lithological unit of the Red Sea coastal plain. Their subsurface equivalents are important targets of groundwater aquifer and hydrocarbon reservoirs in the region. The lithofacies of the modern fluvial deltaic system has several distinct geomorphic units and sub-environments such as alluvial, fluvial, delta plain, aeolian, intertidal, coastal sabkha and eustuarine sediments. This study intends to characterize the lithofacies and the depositional environments and to produce an integrated facies model for this modern fluvial-deltaic system. The study might provide a valuable modern analog to several important subsurface Neogene formations that act as important hydrocarbon reservoirs and groundwater aquifers. The study integrates information and data obtained from landsats, maps and detailed field observation and measurements of facies analysis of the fluvial and deltaic along traveses from the Arabian Shield to the Red Sea coast. The lithofacies sediment analysis revealed four main lithofacies associations namely lithofacies A,B,C ad D. Lithoacies Associations A, which represents the oldest unit is dominated by coarse gravel with minor sands facies. While the lithofacies B is dominated byfine gravel and sand lithofacies, occasionally pebbly, vary from horizontal, planar to massive sands with minor laminated to massive silts and mud facies. The lithofacies in A and B show lateral proximal to distal variation as well as characteristic vertical stacking patterns. The Facies Association A and B indicates a change in fluvial depositional styles from gravelly alluvial fans to gravelly sandy fluvial systems. The lithofacies association C represents the recent fluvial system which consists of minor gravel lag deposits associated maily with various sand lithofacies of planner, horizontal and massive sand associated with massive and limainted sand and mud lithofacies. The lithofacies Association D is dominated with Barchan sand dunes local interfigger with muddy iinterdunes and sand sheets. Lithofacies D occupies rather more distal geomporphic position of the fluvial deltaic system that is adjace to coastal sabkha. The lithofacies associations described here document the evolution and development of the coastal plain sediments through space and time under various autocyclic and allocyclic controls. This included the tectonics and structural development associated with the Red Sea rifting and opening since the Oligocene – Miocene time. Others controls include the evolution of the Arabian shield (provenance) and the coastal plain through space and time as controlled by tectonics, sediment supply, climate and locally by autocyclic environmental This study might be beneficial for understanding the controls and stratigraphic evolution of the Red Sea region and will be of great value for reservoir and aquifer characterization, development and management. This modern analog model can also help in providing geological baseline information that would be beneficial for understanding similar ancient fluvial deltaic sediments. The study might provide guides and leads to understand the subsurface facies, stratigraphic architecture and heterogeneity of any potential groundwater aquifers and hydrocarbon reservoirs.