Early Jurassic palynomorphs from the Adigrat Sandstone in well Abred-1, Ogaden, Ethiopia

Scientific Study from the year 2013 in the subject Geography / Earth Science - Geology, Mineralogy, Soil Science, , language: English, abstract: Palynomorphs have been recovered from the Adigrat Sandstone in the subsurface of the southeastern Ogaden region of Ethiopia. Core samples from well Abred-1 have yielded rich and well-preserved assemblages which are characterized by the dominance of the pollen genus Classopollis (average frequency 93%). Significant accessory elements are Anapiculatisporites dawsonensis, Ceratosporites helidonensis, Foraminisporis tribulosus, Nevesisporites vallatus, Retitriletes semimuris, Araucariacites australis, Callialasporites turbatus, and Perinopollenites elatoides. The microflora can be correlated with the lower part of the Corollina torosa Zone of Australia. It is concluded, therefore, that the studied section is of Hettangian or Sinemurian age. Continental deposition of the Adigrat Sandstone occurred probably under hot and dry climatic conditions. The presence of small numbers of acritarchs indicates a restricted marine influence.