Petrographic analysis of Quaternary terrigenous sand layers in eastern Mediterranean cores reveals distinct mineralogical differences between the Egyptian Shelf–Nile Cone region and the southern part of the Mediterranean Ridge. A compositionally and texturally immature suite in Ridge cores, mixed with a Nile-derived assemblage, identifies a fresh non-recycled mineral component derived from proximal igneous and metamorphic surface or near-surface exposures, probably in the south–central Ridge area rather than from distal African sources. The presence of such basement terrains would be consistent with a compressive thrust-belt origin for this part of the Mediterranean Ridge.

Supplement to: Stanley, Daniel Jean; Sheng, Harrison; Kholief, Mahmoud M (1979): Sand on the southern Mediterranean Ridge: proximal basement and distal African-Nile provenance. Nature, 279(5714), 594-598