A. Bosellini et al., Stratigraphic evidence for an Early Aptian sea-level fluctuation: the Graua Limestone of south-eastern Ethiopia, CRETAC RES, 20(6), 1999, pp. 783-791
The occurrence of a thin band of marine limestone (Graua Limestone) within
a thick succession of fluviatile sandstones in south-eastern Ethiopia is di
rect evidence of flooding of part of the East African craton (Horn of Afric
a). According to the presence of abundant orbitolinid foraminifers (Palorbi
tolina lenticularis Blumenbach and Praeorbitolina cormyi Schroeder), the ag
e of the Graua Limestone can be referred to the Early Aptian. Stratigraphy
and palaeogeographic reconstructions for the Early Cretaceous in the surrou
nding regions (Kenya, Somalia, Yemen, Socotra, Oman, Syria, Lebanon, Israel
, Egypt and Libya) show that the Early Aptian transgression was of regional
extent. Our data seem to confirm that this transgression was of relatively
short duration. This pulse cannot be related to tectono-eustatic mechanism
s, which are too slow. A short-lived event should be invoked: either a regi
onal tectonic pulse or the desiccation of the proto-South Atlantic. (C) 199
9 Academic Press.