Source-to-Sink Analysis of the Plio-Pleistocene Deposits in the Suez Rift (Egypt)

Abstract

We present a source-to-sink (S2S) study of the Plio-Pleistocene deposits in the Suez rift (Egypt). We used stratigraphic record and quantitative geomorphology to constrain relief evolution in a rift setting from a high-resolution database at basin-scale ({\textasciitilde}300 km{\thinspace}{\texttimes}{\thinspace}100 km) including, digital elevation model, outcrop and subsurface data. The stratigraphic architecture shows five main stages ranging from rift initiation to tectonic quiescence (Oligo-Miocene) plus a post-rift stage (Plio-Pleistocene). We quantified sediment accumulation history and analysed the relationship between catchment and sediment supply for the Plio-Pleistocene (post-rift stage). The results of the source-to-sink study for the post-rift stage were then compared to previous estimations for the main rifting stages. We show that the sediment supply dynamics of the Plio-Pleistocene deposits of the Suez rift records a renewed uplift ca. 5 Myr ago. However, we also show that a major climate shift related to the Pliocene revolution was most probably coeval to reach the magnitude of accumulation observed.