Facies Analysis and Sedimentary History of the Middle Eocene Sequence of Jabal Hafit, Al Ain Area, UAE

The Middle Eocene 270 m thick carbonate sequence of Jabal Hafit, to the south of Al Ain City, UAE is one of the thickest nummulit- ic buildups, not only in the Arabian Peninsula but also in the Middle East. The sequence is characterized by highly diverse and frequent fau- nal content. Moreover, many taxa attain gigantic sizes, e.g. Nummulites cf. lyeli, N. maximus, Assilina gigantea, gastropods, burrowing ech- inoids, thick-shelled oysters and others. The sequence shows very little or no lithological and/or paleontological lateral variations all over the study area, which reflects the homogeneity of the depositional environ- ment. On the other hand, the vertical time-changes are remarkable. The rhythmic appearance of the larger foraminiferal (Nummulites and/or As- silina, Alveoloina) buildups with one or two species of each, and the non-or poorly nummulitic zones in-between, is an indication of os- cillating sea level and syntectonic sedimentation. The chrono-and bio- stratigraphic setting of the studied sequence confirms Lutetian age.