Abstract Deep-marine gravity-driven deposits represent one of the more investigated depositional systems owing to their potential interest as targets for exploration and carbon capture and storage activities, as well as an important record of the depositional history of a basin through time. Although the Halten Terrace (Norwegian Sea) is one of the main successful exploration areas, we still have poor understanding of the post-rift Cretaceous interval. Here, 3D seismic reflection and borehole data are integrated to investigate the stratigraphic distribution and sedimentological characteristics of the Cenomanian–Turonian intra Lange Sandstones in the Gimsan Basin and Grinda Graben. The Lange Fm records the deposition in a deep-marine environment of a 1000 m-thick shale unit punctuated by gravity-driven coarse-grained sandstone intervals that are tens of metres-thick and sourced from the Norwegian mainland. The presence of gravity-driven deposits and the deep-marine setting are supported by seismic interpretation, architectural elements and the facies analysis of cored material acquired within the studied stratigraphic interval. Borehole data indicate the presence of both turbidites and hybrid-event beds rich in mud content. The results of this study have implications for understanding the distribution and reservoir potentiality of the Late Cretaceous Lange Fm in the Halten Terrace.

Abstract Segmented, planar, domino-style extensional fault arrays and their associated hanging wall fault-related folds form complex linked basins along the onshore margin of the northwestern Red Sea, Egypt. The extensional fault systems form half-graben basins with kilometre-scale, asymmetrical, doubly plunging longitudinal synclines and narrow, plunging transverse anticlines and synclines. The axial traces of the hanging wall longitudinal folds are curvilinear, sub-parallel to the half-graben Border faults, and bend or are offset at relay ramps and at fault linkage points. Transverse corner fold systems occur at the fault linkage points and fault jogs. The fold geometries, variations in fault displacement, and fault slip indicators indicate that the fold and fault systems are kinematically related and formed during the Late Oligocene–Miocene rifting of the northern Red Sea. The folds were controlled by vertical and lateral fault propagation and by the mechanical anisotropy of the pre-rift strata. The proposed model for these extensional folds is the initial formation of monoclinal flexures above reactivated blind basement faults. Increased displacement, propagation and segment linkage formed hanging wall longitudinal folds and transverse corner folds. The longitudinal folds grew progressively at the expense of the transverse folds and merged along-strike into long hanging wall synclinal basins.