Nannobiostrat1graphy Of The Late Cretaceous Paleocene Succession In Esh El-Mallaha Range, Eastern Desert, Egypt

Abstract

This paper emphasis the biostratigraphic significance of thirty nannofossil species recorded from the Maestrichtian - Paleocene succession in Esh El-Mellaha Range, Eastern Desert, Egypt. These species participated in making up three nannobiostratigraphic zones, arranged from top to base as follows: 3. Discoaster multiradiatus Zone (Late Paleocene) 2. Lithraphidites quadratus Zone (Maestrichtian) 1. Arkhangelskiella cymbitormis Zone (Maestrichtian) In comparison with the planktonic foraminiferal zones, the Arkhangelskiella cymbiformis Zone together with the overlying Lithraphidites quadratus Zone are equated with the Globotruncana fornicata and Globotruncana gansseri Zone denoting a Maestrichtian age. The Discoaster multiradiatus Zone coinsides with the Glohoratalia vellascoensis Zone both of Late Paleocene age.