Journal of Petroleum Geology, zyxwv 11(1), pp. 89-112, 1988 89 A REVIEW OF THE CRETACEOUS FORMATIONS IN THE ARABIANPENINSULA AND GULF STRATIGRAPHY AND PALEOGEOGRAPHY PART 11. MID-CRETACEOUS (WASIA GROUP) A.S. Alsharhan’ and A.E.M. Nairn2 zyx The stratigraphic sequence zyxwvu of the “Middle” Cretaceous Wasia Group in the Arabian GuK and the terminology used, is reviewed. Type sections and synonymy are established for the succession in the United Arab Emirates. An historical introduction provides a key to the understanding of the varied formational and member names in current use. Facies distribution maps show that shallowwater, predominantly carbonate belts extend across the whole region. Two clastic-carbonate cycles are apparent in the NEpart of the GuK the lower Nahr Umr-Mauddud cycle and an upper Wara-Mishrifcycle. The upper cycle is poorly defined in the SE GuK and in the Abu Dhabi region a zone of carbonate build-up surrounds a slightly deeper intracratonic basin which developed in Late Albian-Early Cenomanian time. INTRODUCTION zyxw This is the second in a series of papers concerned with the geology of the Arabian Gulf area. In a previous paper (Alsharhan and Nairn, 1986b), which is referred to here as Paper 1, the stratigraphy and depositional environments of the Lower Cretaceous were discussed. At that time, it was pointed out that the Mesozoic section of the Arabian Gulf area forms part of a thick sedimentary wedge resting upon the gentle, easterly-dipping Arabian Shield. This Shield has imposed upon it broad flexures, the Central Arabian Arch and the Rub a1 Khali Depression (Fig. I), which appear to be old features that have probably been rejuvenated on several occasions during the Mesozoic and Cenozoic, for their effects, in particular the effects of the Central Arabian Arch, can be seen in the facies development of the Cretaceous sequence. Geology Department, United Arab Emirates University, P. 0. Box 15551, Al-Ain, UAE. Earth Sciences and Resources Institute, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC zy 29208, USA.