Biostratigraphy and tectonically controlled sedimentation of the Maastrichtian in Israel and adjacent countries

Maastrichtian argillaceous chalks of the Ghareb Formation are widespread throughout Israel, both in exposures and subsurface. These strata contain a rich fauna foraminifera calcareous nannoplankton, allowing detailed biozonation sediments, which were deposited series basins an outer-shelf to upper-slope environment. The distribution benthonic planktonic from reference section southern Israel is described. Three foraminiferal tethyan chronozones, Globotruncana falsostuarti , Gansserina gansseri Abathomphalus mayaroensis zones, identified. middle upper parts succession fully recorded section. common occurrence Plummerita hantkeninoides at top indicate continuous sedimentation till Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary. beds vary thickness 0 200 m reflect structures, controlled by Syrian Are fold system, evolved during pre- syn-Maastrichtian times. Their isopach contours good agreement with present-day structural axes. lithostratigraphy tectonic events compared those other countries eastern Mediterranean