The syn rift Neogene-Quaternary siliciclastic sediments outcropping along Wadi Sharm El Bahari (south of Quseir) belong to Ranga, Um Mahara, Abu Dabbab and Marsa Alam Formations as well as Quaternary deposits, infilling structurally-controlled grabens that have been generated during rift tectonics.
Two texturally different conglomeratic beds have been recognized: clast and matrix-supported conglomerates. Grading is extremely common in these sediments.
Grain size analysis revealed that these sediments are poorly to very poorly sorted, near symmetrical to positively skewed, lepto, meso and platykurtic.
Significant variation in the roundness degree are recorded among the different size fractions. Coarse fractions are rounded to subrounded, while the finer sizes are angular to subangular.
Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) examination of quaetz surface features has shown that mechanical features are well pronounced than chemical ones. Attempts to use surface features have succeeded in discrimination of fluvial and marine sedimentary environments for sands of Early Neogene sediments, while it is invalid in differentiation of Late Neogene and Quaternary depositional environments.