Introduction

The Plio–Pleistocene sedimentary sequence of the coastal plain and the continental shelf of Israel is an integral part of the Nile Cone, which has been building up since the end of the Messinian Event. The Yafo Formation of the Saqiye Group (Pliocene to early Pleistocene) and the Hefer Formation of the Kurkar Group (Pleistocene), which constitute this sequence, are subdivided into 15 correlatable members. Nine biostratigraphic datum levels have been established within the sequence, which permits correlations to the Plio–Pleistocene events in the central Mediterranean and Italian sequences.

Background

Our compilation of the marine Plio–Pleistocene sequence of the coastal belt of Israel is based mostly on our previous studies and on additional examinations of new boreholes. The lithostratigraphy and mapping, including correlations of wells and outcrops, interpretations of seismic surveys, subcrop mapping, and sedimentology, were published by Gvirtzman (1969a,b, 1970, 1983) and Gvirtzman and Buchbinder (1969). Other publications include studies of biostratigraphy and molluscan correlation by Moshkovitz (1961, 1963, 1968), studies of nannofossil biostratigraphy by Ehrlich and Moshkovitz (Ehrlich and Moshkovitz, 1978; Moshkovitz and Ehrlich, 1980), studies of foraminiferal biostratigraphy by Martinotti (1981a–c, 1986), and studies of combined biostratigraphy of foraminifera and nannofossils by Moshkovitz and Martinotti (1979). In addition, compilations and regional syntheses were prepared by Gvirtzman and Buchbinder (1977, 1978) and by Gvirtzman et al. (1984).

The Nile Cone

The Plio–Pleistocene sequence is an integral part of the Nile Cone (Figure 12.1). The eastern lobe of the cone is formed by sediments which are transported by the Nile River and are carried by anticlockwise longshore currents into the southeastern corner of the Mediterranean (Emery and Bentor, 1960; Emery and Neev, 1960; Neev et al., 1976; Nir, 1984).