Stratigraphic note : update on the palynology of the Akbarah and Kuhlan formations, northwest Yemen

Abstract

Following a preliminary palynological report of two samples from the lower part of the Kuhlan Formation (Unit A) near Kuhlan village, northwest Yemen (Stephenson and Al-Mashaikie, 2010), a further seven samples from Unit A, and an additional 22 samples from the underlying Akbarah Formation in the same locality are reported. The seven new samples from the Kuhlan Formation support the 2165A to 2141A Biozone age originally suggested by Stephenson & Al-Mashaikie (2010), and the new Akbarah Formation samples suggest an age not markedly different since Anapiculatisporites concinnus and Spelaeotriletes triangulus are also present in the Akbarah Formation (e.g. samples AK-11 and AK-12). This correlation confirms that the lower Kuhlan Formation and the Akbarah Formation, are likely to be late Carboniferous in age and equivalent to the lower parts of the Al Khlata Formation of Oman