A discussion on the structure and evolution of the Red Sea and the nature of the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Ethiopia rift junction - Review of structural geology of the Red Sea and surrounding areas

The Red Sea structure as well as the appurtenant Dead Sea structure originated at the end of the Precambrian, as shown by many established observations. Their latest, Neogene phases of evolution have often too exclusively been considered to explain the present-day layout. Many peculiar field features, which are cited as evidence for a northward drift of the Arabian peninsula (relative to Palestine and Sinai), may as well be explained by vertical movements. A 107 km northward drift of the Arabian peninsula, of which 40 km was in Pleistocene times, as asserted by Quennell and Freund, is not confirmed by recent surveys in the Dead Sea area and is inconsistent with the stratigraphy and the structure of Lebanon and Syria: therefore it should not be taken as geologically definitely proven and as leading to conclusions as to the Red Sea.