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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database
AAPG Bulletin
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Six unconformities are discerned in the Mesozoic section of Israel and adjacent countries. Four unconformities (mid-Triassic, Late Triassic, Late Jurassic, and Aptian-Albian boundary) are genetically related to global sea level drops and divergence of the Tethys. The divergent processes are associated with faulting, volcanism, and clastic accumulations along the passive margins of the Arabian craton.
The Late Cretaceous unconformity is associated both with global sea level drop and convergence of the Tethys. The late Middle Jurassic unconformity is related to a global eustatic low without any apparent tectonic activity in the region. All the unconformities are widely distributed and, except the one at the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary, mark only short periods. Therefore, they serve as markers and correlation guides for the geologic evolution of the Middle East. Their economic importance can be summarized as follows. (1) The tectonic setting of the blocks overlying
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the unconformity plane and the duration of subaerial exposure periods associated with meteoric flushing and karst development is of prime importance for petroleum exploration. The Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous angular unconformity brings into juxtaposition a deep Paleozoic aquifer and an overlying Mesozoic aquifer. Problems of salinity, reserves estimate, and exploitation arise. Karstic phenomena that developed during the Late Cretaceous exposure time contribute to the excellent storage capacity of the Cenomanian-Turonian aquifer. (3) Alumina-rich lateritic soils, formed under subaerial tropic conditions at the Triassic-Jurassic boundary, are used by the ceramic industry.
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