Abstract Seven geological sections have been examined and sampled with emphasis on sedimentological & diagenetic processes within Abu Ghaylan Formation and the contact relationships with the underlying Abu Shaybah and overlying Kiklah Formations. Based on current detailed field loggings and microscope investigations, 10 facies are recognized within Abu Ghaylan Formation. The lowermost succession characterised by an overall transition from continental fluvially dominated deposits of the Abu Shaybah Formation into transitional to marginal marine, tidal flat deposits of the Abu Ghaylan Formation upward. The transitional nature of this lowermost part succession is demonstrated by interbeddings of claystone, sandstone and fossiliferous facies arranging in coarsening up cycle, in which most probably deposited in estuary / beach environment.The Abu Ghaylan Formation generally wedges laterally eastward and exposes intermittently east of Wadi Ghan area resulting of syngenetic uplift of Wadi Ghan area followed by erosion (ElHinnawy & Cheshitev, 1975). A slightly earlier uplift and greater erosion in a westward sloping basin of deposition near the close of the Early Jurassic and Early Cretaceous times is suggested by Fatmi & Sbeta (1991). The current study reveals that several exposure surfaces are demonstrated within Abu Ghaylan Formation suggesting uplifting and erosion episodes interrupted Abu Ghaylan Formation, where a restricted distribution of Abu Ghaylan may suggest a local tectonic overprint.Although the overall impression is that the base beds of Kiklah Formation starts with sandstone and red clay beds as channel infill deposits above Abu Ghaylan carbonate unit with surface of unconformity, however, based on current close investigation, a sequence characterized by interbeddings of carbonate and greenish clay overlying Abu Ghaylan Formation with surface of unconformity and gradationally overlain by sandstone beds should be introduced as separate unit attributes to Kiklah Formation.The current study emphasizes and supports a solution collapse origin for the breccias and introduces better insight into architecture and geomorphology of the breccias bodies that are exposed in the area of study. The dissolution of evaporites is considered responsible for all breccias development in this stratigraphic interval. According to the occurrence mode of breccias, the breccias intervals have been divided into two main parts; a lower section of strata that contains collapsed paleocaves and an upper section of strata that is deformed to varying degrees due to the collapse and compaction of the section of paleocave-bearing strata. The sharp flat base, inverse grading, V-shaped/ sag structures and irregular undulating top of brecciated bodies are recognized within Abu Ghaylan Formation and typically characterize solution collapse processes. Based on field study and architecture relationships, five distinctive karst facies are recognized in the area of study.The early diagenetic genetically related processes probably interrupted the deposition of Abu Ghaylan Formation is a most possible assumption for the origin and timing of breccias formation.
أحمد أبوبكر الحلو (2015)

Abstract As part of the NE-trending Mourizidie Shear Zone in south-central Libya (south of Mourizidie pass), four units representing Preccambrian basement rocks (metasediments) were mapped during field work: phyllites (metaclaystone); metapelites (metasiltstone); pasmmites (metasandstone) and Quartzites. Granitic bodies of various sizes (few meters to hundreds of meters) are found throughout the study area. The metasediments and granites are both intruded by veins and dikes having an overall NE trend. Four Palaeozoic sedimentary units were mapped within the study area. The concidence of the S1 foliation with the S0 of the original bedding of the protolith is a proof that the S1 foliation is caused by deep burial. The petrographic description of the minerals in thin section shows an assemblage of sericite, muscovite and biotite, all representing a sub-greenschist facies to greenshcist facies. This low grade metamorphism helped in preseving the original sedimentary structures of the protolith, thus helping in identifying the original bedding plane S0. Faults observed in the field or traced on aerial photograhs belong to three major trend: NE, NNE, and ENE. Folds are extremely diverse in shape, attiude and tightness, thus their classification is equally diverse. This diversity is observed in the field even within a distance of no more than few meters. The isostatic rebound of the basement could have caused this great difference in the attitude of the folds, especially at considerable depths characterised by a kinematically ductile, restricted and contained settingAt least two phases of deformation are present in the area. D1 is marked by the generation of S1, while D2 is marked by the first folding F1 caused by the isostatic rebound he generation of S2 foliation as fan cleavage is directly related to the F1 folding. Some folds underwent refolding, which lead to an F2 phase of folding.Sequential schematic structural model is proposed to explain the structural history of the study area. This model should be tested through intensive detailed field work large scale map in nearby areas.
مسعودة محمد حنبولة (2015)

Abstract The study area is located in and around Umm Ar Razam village, about 50 Km east of Darnah city, north-eastern Libya. In this study many claystone sections were studied. These claystones belong to the lowermost part of Al Faidiyah formation of Upper Oligocene – Lower Miocene age. The studied sections consist of claystone beds ranging in thickness about 10 meters. These bentonitic clays are generally grey to greenish grey in colour, with popcorn – like appearance. They have a waxy character and are exposed sporadically in this area as isolated outcrops. They might be deposited in lagoonal, lacustrine or shallow marine environment. The main purpose of this thesis is to study the origin and to evaluate the Umm Ar Razam bentonitic clays. For example, lithology, mineralogy, the chemical composition, crystal forms and habits, physical properties, industrial uses and treatment will be investigated. The Results showed that these clays consist of the minerals Na- montmorillonite, Kaolinite, and Illite. Non – clay minerals includes quartz, calcite, dolomite, gypsum, halite, muscovite, rutile, sanidine, and tridymite. Moreover, clay mineral fraction studies using the different techniques showed that these bentonitic clays were formed due to in situ alteration of volcanic ash in subaquous environment. Evidences for such an occurrence include mineralogical evidence as the existence of high temperature minerals as sanidine, rutile, and tridymite. The existence of unaltered volcanic ash as seen from SEM photomicrographs also supports this origin. Furthermore, XRF results showed downward depletion of silica right below these bentonitic clays 6 in calcarenite beds of Al Abraq formation. XRF results also showed that the Umm Ar Razam bentonites are in accordance with the American bentonites and the parent material of such bentonites came from basic volcanic ash materials. In addition, the viscosity and the filtration of Umm Ar Razam bentonite is nearly identical with the international bentonite by adding (Soda Ash) and (Na2 SiO3 ) with special treatment method. The cost of the Enhanced Umm Ar Razam bentonite is less than of the imported bentonite cost. Based on the physical and chemical properties these bentonites can be used in many industries especially as building materials and drilling fluids.
فيصل عياد أبو سهمين (2009)