The Saharonim Basalt: a late Triassic-early Jurassic intrusion in southeastern Makhtesh Ramon, Israel

Several noncontinuous bodies of basalt have been found recently within the gypsum layers of the Upper Triassic Mohilla Formation near En Saharonim, southeastern Makhtesh Ramon. The basalts show porphyritic textures with 10 to 20% olivine phenocrysts. Two samples from one outcrop were dated by the ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar method, as 213.6 ± 3.6 Ma and 209.6 ± 2.1 Ma. Two samples from two additional outcrops were dated by the K-Ar method as 210.1 ± 3.8 Ma and 201.9 ± 3.7 Ma. The Carnian age suggested by palynomorphs for the overlying uppermost part of the Mohilla Formation, and the high maturity rank of the organic matter in overlying clays suggest that the basalts are shallow intrusives. -from Authors