New Ideas about Tectonic Megasequences (TMSAP., 10) Boundaries on the Northeastern Margin of the Arabian Plate

Summary Field and lab data has supported new proposals for the TMSAp.10 boundary on the NE margin of the Arabian Plate. The base of the TMSAp.0 (Crt/Pgy, 66.00 Ma) contains conglomerates measuring about 500 metres (multi-incised valleys and superimposed sequence boundaries), while its top, in the late Eocene (33.9), is preceded by conglomerates measuring 250 metres. The Maastrichtian greenhouse, which was cut off by red molasses continental deposits, is linked to extinctions and changes in carbon and oxygen levels in the climate. The top of TMSAP.10 is characterised by a gap of about 15 million years (Zagraos Major hiatus) that is recorded between the Late Eocene at 33.9 million years (top of Pila spi Fn.) and the bottom of Fatha Fn (Middle Miocene). This boundary reflects the last marine-to-nonmarine facies association on the Arabian Plate. Accordingly, those boundaries can be ratified.