Stratigraphic Sequence and Structural Evolution of the Sana'a Basin

The Sana'a basin, home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Old City of Sana'a, exhibits a complex stratigraphic sequence spanning from Precambrian to Recent periods, with significant tectonic activity shaping its structural evolution. Key findings reveal that the basin formed during the Jurassic under inherited N-S structural control and experienced multiple phases of uplift and subsidence, particularly during the Jurassic, Cretaceous, Tertiary, and Quaternary periods. Field studies highlight a compression stage in the Paleocene forming an anticline, followed by extensional faulting creating half grabens like Wadi Dhahr and Haddah. The Tertiary period saw intense volcanic activity, particularly in the southern basin, contributing to the formation of the Yemen Plateau and reactivating major tectonic trends with volcanic dykes filling fractures. Quaternary volcanic activity introduced additional plugs and cones into older rock units. This research integrates sedimentary and structural analysis to elucidate the dynamic geological history of the Sana'a basin.

Al-Subbary, A. (2023). Stratigraphic Sequence and Structural Evolution of the Sana’a Basin. Thamar University Journal of Natural & Applied Sciences, 4(4), 49–65. https://doi.org/10.59167/tujnas.v4i4.1293