Thinning of the Menuha Formation at the Afran flexure, Hatira monocline - Implications for the monocline formation

Variation of the strike of the Hatira monoclinal axis in the Giv'at Mador area forms an asymmetric flexure, the Afran bend. At this location, a number of unconformities between the Upper Turonian and the Lower Eocene are particularly well developed and exposed. Biostratigraphic zones within the Coniacian-Lower Campanian Menuha Fm. were identified and utilized to estimate the internal thinning of this formation on the flanks of the Hatira monocline along the strike of the Afran bend. The internal Menuha thinning is evident both updip, towards the monoclinal crest, and along the strike, towards the hinge zone of the Afran bend. It is consistent with the unconformities in indicating continuous tilting of the monocline beds throughout the deposition of the Menuha formation and in suggesting that excess or accelerated uplift took place at the Afran bend itself.