The accretion of the Levant continental shelf alongside the Nile Delta by immense margin-parallel sediment transport

Following the termination of Messinian salinity crisis ~5.3 million years ago, massive sedimentation in Eastern Mediterranean Sea formed huge Nile Delta. Alongside delta propagation, a continental shelf was accreted along Levant margin. For several decades it assumed that these two sedimentary structures were closely connected. deposits are composed Nile-derived sediments and present-day measurements show sand is currently being transported alongshore from Delta to offshore Israel. This study reexamines existing paradigm about sediment transport shelf-delta connection. We longshore just small part much larger process termed here margin-parallel (MPST). Sand nearshore shallow-water belt where marine currents highly energetic. At same time, shale at greater depths over deeper slope weaker. To model accretion alongside we use 3D, diffusion-based, stratigraphic modeling tool (DionisosFlow) with new module representing MPST. Our results silt clay waters accounts for bulk deposition Israel responsible development shelf. Moreover, though MPST has begun coevally formation, delayed by 2–3 My. Initially, Sinai, then Israel, most recently Lebanon coast. also demonstrates significant lithological differences observed between front River mouth adjacent High energy down-slope carries sand, silt, clay, whereas relatively weak carry mainly clay. One exception within system energetic current transports sand. Thus, point out, an efficient separator