Kafrelsheikh University

Faculty of Science
Geology Department

Basement Rocks of Egypt

‫صخور القاعدة في مصر‬
By
Prof. Dr. Mohamed Zaki Khedr
- PhD in Mineralogy and Geochemistry
Kanazawa University, Japan (2006-2010).
- Professor of Geochemistry and Economic Minerals
1
Basement Rocks of Egypt
Historical
‫الحقب‬
Review of Basement Rocks in Egypt
‫الدهر‬ ‫العصر‬
‫الزمن‬
Phanerozoic

542
Geological time scale!
eons, eras, periods, epochs
Cryptozoic

(Million years) 1 Ga, Billion

Oldest rocks: Greenland gneisses

Oldest rock fragments: W. Australia detrital

zircons 3
Hadean 4600 Millions year, 4.6 Billion or miliar
 PRECAMBRIAN TIMES
542 Million Year
551 Ma
1-Cryptozoic Eon classified

720 not into…….and…..….and…..

corect
Hadean, Archean, Proterozoic
2-Proterozoic may classify
into……and…..and…….
Paleoproterozoic,
Cryptozoic

Mesoproterozoic,
Neoproterozoic
3-Neoproterozoic may classify
into……..and…..and…….
Pre-Archean

Tonian, Cryogenian,
Ediacaran
4600 Millions
4
Cryogenian Period
720–635 million years
ago or
850-635 (this is the
accurate
6
 INTRODUCTION

- Billions of Years  1000 Millions.

-Precambrian Time started from ~ 4600 Million Years to ~ 542 Million Years.
- The oldest rocks on the surface of the earth are ~4000 million year old. These
are gneisses from Greenland. The oldest known rocks are only ~4.1 Ga old (the
age of the Earth is 4.55 Ga, Billion).
- Precambrian rocks in Egypt have been formed during …Proterozoic Era (~2500
to ~542 Million years, and most of these rocks have age from 1000 to 542 Ma,
named……….. Neoproterozoic age) 7
 INTRODUCTION
-Ophiolites (890–690 Ma,) and island arc volcanic rocks (770–720

Ma,) are major lithologies in the central and south Eastern Desert .

--They were intruded by syn-to late-orogenic (850–614 Ma) calc-

alkaline and post-orogenic (610–550 Ma) alkaline granitoids .

-The island arc volcanic hosts Zn–Cu–Pb deposits .

-The intrusive island arc rocks such as gabbro to diorite, quartz

diorite and tonalite .

-Island arc gabbro–diorite–tonalite complex based on Rb/Sr isotope

age of 881 ± 58 Ma (Abdel Rahman, 1990). ????

 The Precambrian rocks cover vast area of about 100,000 Km2,
being exposed mainly in the Eastern Desert (ED) (88,000Km2),
southern Sinai and Gabal-Oweinat (WD).
The main exposure in the ED in the form of elongated belt or
mountains “Red Sea Hills”. The belt is 850 Km long in the SE
direction and wide 350 Km.
 The highest mountains in the ED are:
a. G. Shayib 2187 m b. G. Hamata 1977m. c. G. Gatter
1963m d. Shindeib 1911m.
 Sinai has the two highest mountains in Egypt: a. G. Catherina
2637 m. b. G. Musa 2286m.
9
-Neoproterozoic basement in Egypt outcrops over100,000 2
in the Eastern Desert (ED), south Sinai and limited areas in
the South Western Desert.
-Eastern Desert basement is divided into three main
domains:
north Eastern Desert (NED),
central Eastern Desert (CED) and
south Eastern Desert (SED) (Fig. 1).
11
 Historical Review of Basement Rocks
A. Search for an applicable succession:
 Amin (1955) grouped the rocks as follows:
1. Metasediments and metavolcanics intruded by serpentinites and epidiorite.
2. Post-metamorphic Gattarian gabbros, granites and volcanics
 El-Ramly and Akaad (1957) decided to work on 7 occurrences of the Igla
Formation (I.F). They want to obtain a complete arrangement of succession of
rocks but the problem was “Grey Granite” (syn-late tectonic older Granites)
as well as Dokhan volcanics.
 Akaad and El-Ramly (1958) found that Igla formation is lying over Dokhan
volcanics (D. V) at Wadi (W) Shait and Wadi Ranga.
 Akaad (1957) discovered two new occurrences of I.F at W. Dib and Esh
Mellaha Range and he reported that Igla formation was derived from
Dokhan volcanic and I.F is overlying on Grey Granite-Epidiorite Complex.
12
B. Mapping of SED, NED and CED
 Mapping of Barramiya area (CED) was started in 1944 by EGS.
 Assiut University Team, Qift-Quseir and Qena-Safaga Regions in CED
(Akaad 1962-Noweir 1965-1968 Umm Hombos, Hammamat, Umm Seleimat
(Akaad and Noweir 1980 ; Shazly 1966-1971 G. Meatiq and W. Abu Ziran;
 Mapping of SED by EGSMA (1955-1972) and Hunting Ltd. (1967). Hunting
Geology and Geophysics Ltd. (1967) financed by UNDP. They issued maps
1:40,000 and 1: 50,000. The EGSMA Mapping of NED.
 Compilation of the One Million Map of ED by El-Ramly 1972. El-Ramly
1972 compiled map of the basements scale 1:1,000,000. He suggested the
succession as in Table II C and used these units: Hammamat Group first
named by Noweir 1968. Post-Hammamat Felsites (Noweir, 1968). He puts
Gabbros in their correct position.
- Geosynclinal: a very large depression on the earths surface, like trough, which contains mounds
of sedimentary and volcanic rocks. A usually elongate, basin like depression along the edge of a
13
continent, in which a thick sequence of sediments and volcanic deposits has accumulated.
 Historical classification of Precambrian rocks of Eastern
Desert
1. Hume 1907, 1908 classified ore deposits
2. Hume 1934,1935 classified basement
3. Shurmman 1953, 1954, 1955
4. Amin 1955
5. El-Ramly and Akaad 1960
6. Akaad and El-Ramly 1960
7. Akaad and Noweir 1969
8. El-Ramly 1972
9. Akaad and Noweir 1980
10. El-Gaby et al., 1990.
11. Takla & Hussein 1995. 14
 Classification of Basement Complex in Egypt
1. Classification of Akaad and El-Ramly 1960, CED
11. Alkaline Volcanic Suite (Mesozoic age)……….. Youngest
10. Post-Granite dykes (Precambrian age)
9. Younger Granites
8. Igla Formation
What is classification of Akaad
7. Old Volcanics (Dokhan type). and El-Ramly 1960, CED?

6. Grey Granites
5. Epidiorite -diorite association.
4. Serpentinites and related rocks.
3. Metavolcanic Series
2. Schist-mudstone-greywack Series
1. Migif-Hafafit Gneisses. (Precambrian age) …….….. Oldest15
 Classification of Basement Complex in Egypt

1-Write on the classification of Akaad and El-Ramly,

1960 for Basement in central Eastern Desert (ED).

2- Write on the classification of El-Ramly, 1972 for ED

Basement
Write on the classification of El-Ramly, 1972 for ED
Basement

Akaad and El-Ramly, 1960

17
 Classification of Basement Complex in Egypt
1. Geological Survey Map ED El-Ramly 1972,
………..Tertiary
[Link]…………………………………………….Youngest
…………Mesozoic
[Link] complexes
[Link] plugs and ring dykes
[Link] Natash volcanics
…………..Paleozoic
[Link] Granite
……..Precambrian
11. Younger Granites What is classification of Akaa
10. Gabbros and El-Ramly 1960, CED?
9. Post Hammamat Flsites What is classification of
8. Hammamat Group Basement Complex in Egypt
7. Dokhan Volcanics based on El-Ramly 19972?
6. Syn- to late tectonic Granites
5. Metagabbro -diorite complex.
4. Serpentinites
3. Geosynclinal Shadli Metavolcanics
[Link] metasediments
1. Gneisses and Migmatites. …………………….. Oldest
3-Write on the classification of EGSMA (Egyptian Geological

Surveying and Mining Authority), 1992a for Basement rocks in

Quseir area.

4-Write on the classification of Akaad and Noweir, 1980 for

Basement Rocks in Quseir.

5-Write on the classification of El-Gaby et al., 1990 for

Basement Rocks in Egypt.

6-Write on the classification of Takla and Hussein 1995 for

Basement Rocks in Egypt.

Classification of the basement complex in Egypt

1995

Gp.6

Gp.5

20
 The recent classification of the Precambrian rocks of Egypt.
Akaad & Noweir (1980) El-Gaby et al. (1990) Takla & Hussein (1995) Arais Area

6-Dykes
10-Younger Granites: III- Phanerozoic: IV-Continental margin-within
-Phase III -Basalt and dolerite plate magmatism and 5-Younger Granites:
-[Link] vlcanics sedimentation: -Arais alkali-feldspar granite
-Phase II -Ring complex -Dykes -Al-Hindusi syeno-monzogranite
-Katherina volcanics -G3 granites
-Phase I -Alkaline to peralkaline granite -G2 granites -Abu Bayt cataclastic-gneissose
G -Younger gabbros granites
9-Post-Hammamat Felsite -Hammamat molasse sediment -
8-Qash volcanics II-Pan-African Rock Assemblages: -Younger volcanics -
7-Hammamat Group: 3-Tectogenetic Association: (Basaltic-andesite,andesite and -
b-Shihimiya Formation --alkaline two feldspar (ideal rhyolite) -
a-Igla Formation granite) G III-Arc granitoids(G1-granite) -
6-DokhanVolcanic. -Younger gabbros and (Dolerite-Tonalite-granodiorite 4-Arais Melange
5-Older Granites peridotites association. -volcaniclastic metasediments
4-Rubshi Group: -Hammamat molasse sediment II- Ophiolitic melange and island 3-Arc-Assemblage
b-El-Sid metagabbros -Dokhan volcanics arc association: -Umm-Araka metavolcanics
a-Barramia serpentinite -Calc-alkaline (older)granitoid -Metasediments -
3-Abu Ziran Group: G -Intermediate to felsic 2- Dismembered-Ophiolite
(Eugeosynclinal filling) classified 2-Island arc association: metavolcanic and -Arais metagabbros.
into (8) Formation of -Volcanogenic sediment metapyroclastics -Balamhindit serpentinites
metasediments and -Intermediate to felsic -Ophiolitic mafic metavolcanics
metavolcanics (Metavolcanic metavolcanic -Ophiolitic metagabbros
Metasedimet 1- Ophiolites: -Metaultramafic
-Mafic metavolcanics
-Tholeiitic metagabbro
2-Abu Fannani Schist group -Serpentinized ultramafic rocks --------------------Thrust contact
--------------------Thrust contact I-Gneiss
I-Gneiss (Bitan gneisses)
(Gneisses, migmatites,
1-Meatiq Group I-Gneisses and related rocks of amphibolite and high grade
prepan-African schist. 21
The recent classification of the Precambrian rocks of Egypt.
Akaad & Noweir (1980) El-Gaby et al. (1990)

III- Phanerozoic:
10-Younger Granites: -Basalt and dolerite
-Phase III -[Link] vlcanics
-Phase II -Ring complex
-Phase I -Katherina volcanics
9-Post-Hammamat Felsite -Alkaline to peralkaline granite G
8-Qash volcanics
7-Hammamat Group: II-Pan-African Rock Assemblages:
b-Shihimiya Formation 3-Tectogenetic Association:
a-Igla Formation --alkaline two feldspar (ideal granite) G
6-DokhanVolcanic. -Younger gabbros and peridotites
5-Older Granites -Hammamat molasse sediment
-Dokhan volcanics
-Calc-alkaline (older)granitoid G
4-Rubshi Group: 2-Island arc association:
b-El-Sid metagabbros -Volcanogenic sediment
a-Barramia serpentinite -Intermediate to acid metavolcanic
3-Abu Ziran Group: 1- Ophiolites:
(Eugeosynclinal filling) classified into -Mafic metavolcanics
(8) Formation of metasediments and -Tholeiitic metagabbro
metavolcanics -Serpentinized ultramafic rocks
2-Abu Fannani Schist
1-Meatiq Group I-Gneisses and related rocks of prepan-African 22
The recent classification of the Precambrian rocks of Egypt.
El-Gaby et al. (1990) Takla & Hussein (1995)

III- Phanerozoic: IV-Continental margin-within

-Basalt and dolerite plate magmatism and
-[Link] vlcanics sedimentation:
-Ring complex -Dykes
-Katherina volcanics -G3 granites
-Alkaline to peralkaline granite -G2 granites
G -Younger gabbros
-Hammamat molasse sediment
II-Pan-African Rock -Younger volcanics
Assemblages: (Basaltic-andesite,andesite and
3-Tectogenetic Association: rhyolite)
--alkaline two feldspar (ideal III-Arc granitoids(G1-granite)
granite) G (Dolerite-Tonalite-granodiorite
-Younger gabbros and association.
peridotites II- Ophiolitic melange and island
-Hammamat molasse sediment arc assocition:
-Dokhan volcanics -Metasediments
-Calc-alkaline (older)granitoid -Intermediate to felsic
G metavolcanic and
2-Island arc association: metapyroclastics
-Volcanogenic sediment -Ophiolitic mafic metavolcanics
-Intermediate to acid -Ophiolitic metagabbros
metavolcanic -Metaultramafic
1- Ophiolites:
-Mafic metavolcanics
-Tholeiitic metagabbro
-Serpentinized ultramafic rocks --------------------Thrust contact
I-Gneiss
(Gneisses, migmatites,
I-Gneisses and related rocks of amphibolite and high grade 23
prepan-African schist.
Basement Rocks of Egypt

Qena

Qift

Idfu

Aswan
Baranice
 -Questions Banks
-1-Cryptozoic Eon classified into…….….and……..….and…..
Hadean, Archean, Proterozoic
2-Proterozoic Eon may classify
into…….…and……....and…….…
Paleoproterozoic, Mesoproterozoic, Neoproterozoic
3-Neoproterozoic Era may classify
into………..and……...and……. Period, respectively
Tonian, Cryogenian, Ediacaran
-Precambrian time started from ~ …….. to ~ ……..Million
Years. 4600 Million Years to ~ 542
-Precambrian rocks in Egypt have been formed during
……….. Era (~2500 to ~542 Million years, and most of
these rocks have age from 1000 to 542 Ma, named………..
age).. Proterozoic……….. Neoproterozoic
-Cryogenian Period started from………………….to………Ma.
720–635 million years ago or 850-635 Ma
-Tonian started from…..to….Ma, but Ediacaran started
from………..to……….Ma..1000-850Ma, 635 to 542 Ma
-The Precambrian rocks cover vast area of about …………. Km2
of Egypt…100000
-Abu Ziran Group may classify into………..and……….… based
on classification of Akaad and Noweir 1980..Metaseidemnts and
metavolcanics
-Rubshi Group may classify into…………….and…… based on
classification of Akaad and Noweir 1980. Barramia serpentinite,
El-Sid metagabbros
-Hammamat Group may classify into…………. Formation
and………… Formation.. a-Igla Formation, b-Shihimiya
Formation
-What is classification of Basement Complex in Egypt based

on El-Ramly 19972?

4-Write on the classification of Akaad and Noweir, 1980 for

Basement Rocks in Quseir.

5-Write on the classification of El-Gaby et al., 1990 for

Basement Rocks in Egypt.

6-Write on the classification of Takla and Hussein 1995 for

Basement Rocks in Egypt.

What is classification of Akaad and El-Ramly 1960, CED?