GEOHERITAGE VALUE AND CONSERVATION POTENTIAL OF GEBEL EL DIST, BAHARIYA OASIS, EGYPT: A PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT

Abstract

Gebel El Dist, located in the Bahariya Oasis, represents the type locality of the lower Cenomanian Bahariya Formation in the Western Desert of Egypt, and it serves as one of the most significant vertebrate-bearing localities in ancient Gondwana. This study integrates lithostratigraphy and sedimentological characteristics of Gebel El Dist, identifying a transition from fluvial-dominated systems to tide-influenced mangrove swamps. Sedimentological analysis revealed a sequence of glauconitic sand-silt-clay, carbonaceous shale, and cross-bedded sandstones, with a unique vertebrate assembly. In addition, the continental siliciclastic sediments of the Bahariya Formation in Gebel El Dist provide significant clues on mid-Cretaceous paleoclimate, which was characterized by humid tropical conditions and high sea-level fluctuations. The combination of its type locality, its role in the Syrian Arc tectonic history, and its iconic paleontological record qualifies Gebel El Dist to be a world-class geosite of global geoconservation significance. Urgent protective measures are recommended to mitigate the risks of illegal rock sampling, fossil extraction, and unregulated tourism.