Structural interpretation of aeromagnetic data for the Wadi El Natrun area, northwestern desert, Egypt. (March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ibraheem, Ismael M.; Elawadi, Eslam A.; El-Qady, Gad M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of African earth sciences. Volume 139(2018)
• Page Start: 14
• Page End: 25
• Publication Date: 2018-03
• Subjects: Northwestern Desert -- Basement depth -- Aeromagnetic data -- Structural analysis -- 2-D forward modeling -- Euler deconvolution; Earth sciences -- Africa -- Periodicals; Earth sciences -- Middle East -- Periodicals; Geology -- Africa -- Periodicals; Geology -- Middle East -- Periodicals; Sciences de la terre -- Afrique -- Périodiques; Sciences de la terre -- Moyen-Orient -- Périodiques; Géologie -- Afrique -- Périodiques; Géologie -- Moyen-Orient -- Périodiques; Earth sciences; Geology; Africa; Middle East; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 556.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2017.11.036
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1464-343X

Abstract

Abstract: The Wadi El Natrun area in Egypt is located west of the Nile Delta on both sides of the Cairo–Alexandria desert road, between 30°00′ and 30°40′N latitude, and 29°40′ and 30°40′E longitude. The name refers to the NW-SE trending depression located in the area and containing lakes that produce natron salt. In spite of the area is promising for oil and gas exploration as well as agricultural projects, Geophysical studies carried out in the area is limited to the regional seismic surveys accomplished by oil companies. This study presents the interpretation of the airborne magnetic data to map the structure architecture and depth to the basement of the study area. This interpretation was facilitated by applying different data enhancement and processing techniques. These techniques included filters (regional-residual separation), derivatives and depth estimation using spectral analysis and Euler deconvolution. The results were refined using 2-D forward modeling along three profiles. Based on the depth estimation techniques, the estimated depth to the basement surface, ranges from 2.25 km to 5.43 km while results of the two-dimensional forward modeling show that the depth of the basement surface ranges from 2.2 km to 4.8 km. The dominant tectonic trends in the study area at deep levels are NW (Suez Trend), NNW, NE, and ENE (Syrian Arc System trend). The older ENE trend, which dominates the northwestern desert is overprinted in the study area by relatively recent NW and NE trends, whereas the tectonic trends at shallow levels are NW, ENE, NNE (Aqaba Trend), and NE. The predominant structure trend for both deep and shallow structures is the NW trend. The results of this study can be used to better understand deep-seated basement structures and to support decisions with regard to the development of agriculture, industrial areas, as well as oil and gas exploration in northern Egypt. Highlights: The main contribution of our paper is an assessment of the basement depth and structure in the Wadi El Natrun Area, Egypt. It provides information about the subsurface geology in an area slated for agricultural and industrial development, as well as oil and gas exploration in northern Egypt. Our research is of particular interest and use to geoscientists and local stakeholders. Further, we believe that the findings match the aims and scope of your journal because it addresses one of the main topics covered by your journal.