- King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah
- Essam Aboud: received a B.Sc. (1992) in geophysics from Cairo University, M.Sc. in geophysics from Cairo University a... moreEssam Aboud: received a B.Sc. (1992) in geophysics from Cairo University, M.Sc. in geophysics from Cairo University and a PhD (2005) from Kyushu University, Japan in potential field Geophysics. Awarded a Postdoc (2007) in the US Geological Survey (USGS). Permanently, professor of geophysics at the National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics (NRIAG), Cairo, Egypt. Currently, associate professor in King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. My research interested in applied geophysics for geothermal exploration, hydrocarbon exploration, Geohazards evaluation.Holding a membership of SEG, EAGA, AGU, and EGS.edit
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The diversity of volcanic rocks in the Cascadia forearc is well displayed in high-resolution aeromagnetic data recently acquired over the Oregon Coast Range. The aeromagnetic survey extends from the Western Cascade Range to the... more
The diversity of volcanic rocks in the Cascadia forearc is well displayed in high-resolution aeromagnetic data recently acquired over the Oregon Coast Range. The aeromagnetic survey extends from the Western Cascade Range to the continental shelf including the cities of Eugene and Florence, Oregon. Magnetic anomalies illuminate various geologic domains: (1) Numerous linear west-northwest-striking magnetic anomalies correspond in some places with mapped Oligocene and Eocene dikes and sills that intruded middle Eocene marine sedimentary rocks of the Tyee Formation. This pervasive linear pattern suggests that many similar dikes are concealed at shallow depth. (2) Arcuate, long-wavelength anomalies indicate folds within Eocene Siletz River Volcanics (SRV) lying beneath the Tyee Formation. (3) A pattern of short-wavelength anomalies is caused by Oligocene volcanic rocks of the Western Cascade Range. Superimposed on these anomaly patterns are linear, northeast-trending lineaments caused by various faults, including the Corvallis fault that juxtaposes SRV against Tyee Formation. To help differentiate these various magnetic signals, we have implemented a three-stage analysis. First, matched filters were designed to emphasize shallow magnetic sources. Second, a tilt-derivative (TDR) filter was applied to the shallow-source anomalies to distinguish noise from signal and map geologic contacts. Finally, an Euler analysis was applied using various structural indices to distinguish between dike and fault anomalies. This approach allows us to map both dikes and faults in detail, which is important since exposures are largely concealed in the heavily forested Coast Range. Modeling experiments indicate that we can detect dikes as thin as 25-75 m if they are separated by 1.5-2.5 km or more. In one case, a pair of WNW-striking magnetic anomalies overlies two separate mapped dikes, each about 25-75 m in thickness, 15 km long, and separated by 1.5 km. The magnetic doublet indicates that these two parallel dikes extend at least ~40-50 km and are offset approximately 1.5-2.0 km in two places by NNE-striking faults. We can resolve at least 40 sub- parallel, WNW-striking magnetic anomalies throughout the aeromagnetic survey. Assuming all of the WNW- striking linear anomalies are caused by dikes, and ignoring the possible presence of dikes thinner than our limits of resolution, we estimate that this episode of dike injection was accompanied by about 1 percent crustal extension. Taking into account 50° of clockwise rotation, the azimuth of maximum horizontal extension was 330°, approximately parallel to the Eocene convergent plate boundary.
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P101 MAGNITUDE TRANSFORMS IN THE PROCESS OF MAGNETIC DATA ANALYSIS SUMMARY 1 The magnitude transforms include magnitude magnetic anomalies (MMA) their gradients and Laplacian. They are calculable from the total magnetic anomalies (TMA) or... more
P101 MAGNITUDE TRANSFORMS IN THE PROCESS OF MAGNETIC DATA ANALYSIS SUMMARY 1 The magnitude transforms include magnitude magnetic anomalies (MMA) their gradients and Laplacian. They are calculable from the total magnetic anomalies (TMA) or other component anomalies. MMAs have space distribution different from that of the component anomalies. Their values are non-negative and the respective patterns are similar to the positive gravity anomalies. Thus a MMA from a compact source has only a maximum centered above the source. The sensitivity to the source magnetization direction is suppressed. The modulus of full gradients and Laplacian of MMAs are also non-negative space
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We invert gravity and magnetic anomalies for basement relief at the Harrat Rahat Volcanic Field (HRVF) for the purpose of evaluating its geothermal energy prospects. HRVF is dominated by basaltic scoria cones and other volcanic rocks... more
We invert gravity and magnetic anomalies for basement relief at the Harrat Rahat Volcanic Field (HRVF) for the purpose of evaluating its geothermal energy prospects. HRVF is dominated by basaltic scoria cones and other volcanic rocks overlying the Proterozoic basement. The area considered for this study is located within the northern HRVF and consists mainly of alkali basalts with lesser amounts of benmoreite, mugearite, hawaiite, and trachyte. Our approach adopts a global optimization technique using Particle Swarm Optimization with automated parameter selection, and a two-dimensional gravity-magnetic (GM) forward modeling procedure. The results of the PSO-based approach indicate a depth to the basement at 0.10–624 m, with greater depths within the central region of a solitary anomalous density body in the HRVF. The obtained basement geometry is corroborated by the depth estimates obtained from other potential field inversion methods. The regions with higher prospects are mapped fo...
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Esh El-Mallaha area is located on the western coast of the Gulf of Suez which is considered the main source of hydrocarbon resources in Egypt. The main exploration problem of the Gulf of Suez (and areas around) is the existence of the... more
Esh El-Mallaha area is located on the western coast of the Gulf of Suez which is considered the main source of hydrocarbon resources in Egypt. The main exploration problem of the Gulf of Suez (and areas around) is the existence of the Pre-Miocene salt that masks the seismic energy and as a result, seismic method is not usually able to
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The Extended Tilt-depth method builds on the existing Tilt-depth method to remove one of its constraints - that of relying on the source model being a vertical contact. To achieve this, there is a need to go to the tilt of the local... more
The Extended Tilt-depth method builds on the existing Tilt-depth method to remove one of its constraints - that of relying on the source model being a vertical contact. To achieve this, there is a need to go to the tilt of the local wavenumber, a second order derivative which is independent of structural index. The Extended Tilt-depth method is thus a new interpretation tool for the initial evaluation of high resolution aeromagnetic survey data. The method is tested using a theoretical model and a field example from the North Western Desert of Egypt. In the former, the method estimated the correct depth for the model. For the field data, The Extended Tilt-depth method successfully identifies a number of important tectonic elements known from geologic mapping and known areas of sedimentary basins. Further testing and application of this new method, using known models and field examples, is needed to fully appreciate its strengths and weaknesses.
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Two geothermal fields in Costa Rica were investigated by gravity surveys in an attempt to delineate their subsurface structures. The surveys improve the understanding of the relation between the geothermal systems and subsurface... more
Two geothermal fields in Costa Rica were investigated by gravity surveys in an attempt to delineate their subsurface structures. The surveys improve the understanding of the relation between the geothermal systems and subsurface structure. The gravity data are analyzed using integrated gradient interpretation techniques such as the Horizontal Gradient (HG) and Euler Deconvolution methods. With these techniques, many faults are detected and compared with those found in the surface geology. The results of this study lead to a better understanding of the geothermal system in the study area and may aid in future geothermal exploration.
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Mount Ungaran is a Quaternary volcano located in the province of Central Java, Indonesia. The study area was covered by a gravity survey in order to delineate the subsurface structure and its relation to the hot springs that are spread... more
Mount Ungaran is a Quaternary volcano located in the province of Central Java, Indonesia. The study area was covered by a gravity survey in order to delineate the subsurface structure and its relation to the hot springs that are spread throughout the area. The gravity data were analyzed using gravity gradient interpretation techniques, such as the horizontal gradient and Euler
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Energy consumption worldwide has undergone a recent shift, with hydrocarbons, coal, and new energy sources taking center stage. However, fossil fuels face criticism due to their negative impacts on the environment through air pollution.... more
Energy consumption worldwide has undergone a recent shift, with hydrocarbons, coal, and new energy sources taking center stage. However, fossil fuels face criticism due to their negative impacts on the environment through air pollution. Geothermal energy is a clean, renewable, and eco-friendly alternative that can be harnessed for power generation. The Lunayyir volcanic field is located in the western part of Saudi Arabia and has been identified as a potential geothermal resource. In this study, a comprehensive analysis of the gravity, magnetic, and land surface temperature data collected over the study area is conducted to investigate the geothermal potential. The gravity data are processed using standard techniques to correct for instrument drift, diurnal variations, and topographic effects and to filter out high-frequency noise. The magnetic data are processed using standard procedures. Analysis of the gravity data shows that the Lunayyir volcanic field is characterized by a seri...
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Harrat Rahat (HR) volcanic field is one of the most prominent volcanic areas in western Saudi Arabia, as it is a promising site for geothermal energy. HR has been intensively studied from a geologic point of view. Detailed inspections... more
Harrat Rahat (HR) volcanic field is one of the most prominent volcanic areas in western Saudi Arabia, as it is a promising site for geothermal energy. HR has been intensively studied from a geologic point of view. Detailed inspections distinguished 12 stages of volcanic eruption with characteristic volcanics and age intervals. The area is seismologically active and suffered a swarm of earthquake events in 1999. Magnetotelluric measurements were conducted across the northern HR for deep electrical imaging to provide a comprehensive image of the geothermal source and its impact on volcanic eruptions and seismicity. Acquisition sites (65 in total) provided a square grid with ~5 km intervals. The recording at each site continued for 20 h on average and covered a broad band of frequencies from 1 mHz to 300 Hz. Phase tensor representations and the calculated skew angles indicated three-dimensional subsurface structures. 3D inversion was then carried out using a start model of half space with 100Ωm. The inverted model shows a main magma chamber with very low resistivities in its interior (3 Ωm). Protrusions branch upwards, or first laterally and then upwards, from the main magma reservoir. They represent magma pathways to the surface and account for various eruption locations and stages. The magma chamber is overlain by a continuous zone of higher resistivity (>500 Ωm) that depicts the cooled-down lava sheets. The tabulated and spatially mapped historical eruptions are projected on the results of the 3D MT inversion in the form of slices cut at various depths to obtain clues about the details observed in the model. The epicenters of the 1999 swarm showed no direct spatial matching with features of the inverted model. Similarly, the foci positions are concentrated in the subsurface away from the geothermal source. This confirms the model, as the epicenters usually exist at zones of faults and fractures in the crust, even if the source of stresses that induce seismicity originates away from them. The rocks near the thermal source are ductile and cannot be a source of an elastic rupture. We conclude that the thermal magma reservoir is shallow (10-25 Km), of a large spatial extent (~1000 km 2), impacts surface features and induces earthquake activities.
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Buildings in Adham, Haqal, and Al Jaizah are constructed on/near granite rocks. They are also surrounded by high granite mountains, along which rainfall effects the livelihood of individual inhabitants. Uranium washed down from mountains... more
Buildings in Adham, Haqal, and Al Jaizah are constructed on/near granite rocks. They are also surrounded by high granite mountains, along which rainfall effects the livelihood of individual inhabitants. Uranium washed down from mountains has the potential to pollute agricultural activities, pastoral resources, and drinking water sources. Granite contains a high concentration of radioactive elements such as uranium, thorium, and potassium, which produce gamma rays that can cause environmental harm. Radon is produced from the decomposition of uranium and thorium and seeps into closed areas such as homes, offices, or nearby buildings. It also reaches groundwater via dissolved uranium in wells, which are used as a drinking water source and provide water for various agricultural activities. A car-borne gamma-ray spectrometer multichannel Canadian RS-700 device was used for the survey. The uranium, thorium, and potassium contents of these wells were determined, and the radiation dose rate was calculated and determined in units of mSv/year. The radiation dose rate in Haqal was 1.56 mSv/year, with an average value of approximately 0.7 mSv/year and standard deviation ( SD ) 0.18, while the radiation dose rate of Al Jaizah reached 1.17 mSv/year, with an average value of 0.4 mSv/year and SD 0.19, and in the Adham area, the dose rate reached 1.28 mSv/year, with an average value of 0.53 mSv/year and SD 0.14. Seventeen water samples were collected from different drinking water wells to measure their radon concentrations. Durridge Co., USA, Rad-7 radon detector was used to record the results. The standard for radon contamination in drinking water is equal to 11.1 Bq L −1 for public water supplies. The average value was approximately 6, 3.5, and 2.8 times the international limit in Haqal, Adham, and Al Jaizah, respectively.
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The Saudi Arabia government announced the $500 billion mega project “NEOM City”, to build a cross-border mega city to connect Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordon for attracting foreign investments to the region. NEOM city is situated on the... more
The Saudi Arabia government announced the $500 billion mega project “NEOM City”, to build a cross-border mega city to connect Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordon for attracting foreign investments to the region. NEOM city is situated on the eastern region of the Gulf of Aqaba with its western side in the Sinai Peninsula. The selected site for NEOM city is geographically remarkable; nevertheless, this site needs a detailed geological and geophysical investigation. Sinai Peninsula is a microplate between the Arabian and African plates. Its southern tip is located at a triple junction comprising the Gulf of Aqaba–Dead Sea Transform fault, the Gulf of Suez, and the Red Sea, leading to relatively higher seismic activities in the region. The current study aims to understand the thermal structure of the vicinity of NEOM city to address the potential geohazards and indicate geological attractions within and around the planned city. We use the magnetic data from which geothermal images can be ob...
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It is necessary to develop and explore geothermal resources to achieve sustainable development and clean renewable energy around the Globe. Geothermal energy is crucial to the future energy supply to meet the environmentally friendly... more
It is necessary to develop and explore geothermal resources to achieve sustainable development and clean renewable energy around the Globe. Geothermal energy is crucial to the future energy supply to meet the environmentally friendly energy demand of the World. The Rahat Volcanic Field (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) is the oldest and lengthiest Cenozoic Volcanic Field in the World. It is a dominantly a mature mafic Volcanic Field that holds three major geological events; the historic eruption (1256 C.E.), the five fingers (∼4500–1500 BP), and the seismic swarm (1999 C.E.). These incidents were studied by utilizing geological information and geophysical data sets. Geophysical and geostatistical research includes gravity and magnetic survey data, including different log curves and major elements, obtained from water samples as well as of volcanic rocks obtained by X-ray fluorescence (XRF). To gain an understanding of the subsurface thermal structure, these datasets were analyzed. The prima...
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The Midyan Terrane (northwest Saudi Arabia) is characterized by the presence of a massive belt of radioactive granitic rocks and thick sedimentary cover near the coastal areas. The area is greatly influenced by the tectonic activities of... more
The Midyan Terrane (northwest Saudi Arabia) is characterized by the presence of a massive belt of radioactive granitic rocks and thick sedimentary cover near the coastal areas. The area is greatly influenced by the tectonic activities of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aqaba, implying its high potentiality of geothermal energy. In the present work, geophysical surveys, including audio magnetotelluric and gravity methods, were integrated to investigate the subsurface structural pattern of the study area, which identified regional deep and shallow fault systems and detected the subsurface geometry/extension of the granitic rocks as well as detecting the thickness of the sedimentary basins near the coastal area. A total number of 80 audio magnetotelluric and 246 gravity stations were recorded, analyzed, and interpreted. Two high-potential geothermal targets were indicated: high-heat-generating granites and thick anomalous sedimentary basins near the coastal areas. High-heat-generating granites...
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Logging data are measurements of physical properties of the formation surrounding a borehole, acquired in situ after completion of coring (wireline logging) or during drilling (Logging-While-Drilling, LWD). The range of data (resistivity,... more
Logging data are measurements of physical properties of the formation surrounding a borehole, acquired in situ after completion of coring (wireline logging) or during drilling (Logging-While-Drilling, LWD). The range of data (resistivity, gamma radiation, velocity, density, borehole images,…) in any hole depends on the scientific objectives and operational constraints.
Mineral resources exploration in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia became an important target for the Saudi government. Nowadays, the economic vision of the country is to move away from oil-based country...
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Geothermal energy is a renewable and friendly environment energy source. This type of energy is required in a world where unclean and harmful energy sources, such as oil, coal, and others, have been in use for ages. Some nations use this... more
Geothermal energy is a renewable and friendly environment energy source. This type of energy is required in a world where unclean and harmful energy sources, such as oil, coal, and others, have been in use for ages. Some nations use this clean/renewable energy in daily life and others are still looking for and trying to ways to benefit from these resources. Since Saudi Arabia has many geothermal energy sources such as volcanoes and hot spots along the Red Sea coast, some researchers have been looking for this type of energy since more than five decades. In this research, we tried to collect the previous studies and available data to be used in a new database format. This database would assist decision-makers in drawing up a road map to explore and assess geothermal energy. Accordingly, geological, geophysical, and geochemical data were collected in a digital form to build the first Geothermal Resource Database in Saudi Arabia (GRDiSA) in order to map the geothermal potentiality in t...
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Rahat volcanic field, Saudi Arabia, has three major geohazard events; the historical eruption, the fissure eruption, and seismic swarm. A magnetotelluric survey was carried out to evaluate these hazards. The results revealed four major... more
Rahat volcanic field, Saudi Arabia, has three major geohazard events; the historical eruption, the fissure eruption, and seismic swarm. A magnetotelluric survey was carried out to evaluate these hazards. The results revealed four major resistivity zones. The first is a layer of intermediate resistivity (40–250 O m) which is thicker to the south-west and thinner to the eastern edge. This layer is underlain by a resistant (>1000 O m) granitic basement. Intruding into the resistive basement are two near-vertical conductive (<20 O m) structures. One is located west of the historic eruption (1256 AD) center, at a depth of about 15 km. The other intruder is on the southern end of the survey area, at the same depth. Two conductive “channels” trending NW-SE and NE-SW were observed at depths of about 18 km. The NE-SW aligned “channel” runs through the northern intrusive while the NW-SE trending “channel” runs in the middle of the study area and connects both intrusive structures. The conductive intrusive structures and “channels” may be attributed to partial melts stored in the pre-existing structures within the lower crust. Although the youngest known trachytic eruptions from the study area are several hundred thousand years old, recent and ongoing seismicity strongly suggests there may be magmatic activities in the lower and probably upper crusts.
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The Al Aziziah area is built on volcanic and granitic rocks. The igneous rocks always contain a high amount of naturally radioactive elements such as uranium, thorium and potassium, which produce gamma rays causing environmental hazards... more
The Al Aziziah area is built on volcanic and granitic rocks. The igneous rocks always contain a high amount of naturally radioactive elements such as uranium, thorium and potassium, which produce gamma rays causing environmental hazards when exceeding the permissible limit. Radon gas is a result from the decomposition of uranium/thorium leaks into enclosed areas (e.g. homes or offices). This leakage is controlled by many conditions, and one of them is the underlining rock type. To work on such an environmental study, a gamma ray spectrometer survey was used. The uranium, thorium and potassium contents, as well as their ratios and the total radiation, were determined and mapped. The radiation dose rate was calculated and mapped in mSv/y and nGy/h units. The radiation contamination of groundwater is detected from the contour map of the dose rate over the artificial drainage lines of rains and floods which move this water to the groundwater wells. The main results are as follows: granitic rocks show an average dose rate of about 2.4 mSv/y, while the deposits of these rocks have an average dose rate of 1.2 mSv/y. A low average dose is recorded over the basalt. The average radiation dose recorded in the study area is 1.08 mSv/y, while its range is from 0.001 to 4.41 mSv/y. The estimated effective doses within the Al Aziziah area and vicinity area were higher than 1 mSv/y, which is the public exposure limit, and lower than the occupational exposure limit of 20 mSv/y. We recommend ventilating homes and offices in these places on an ongoing basis and constant radon measuring in closed places.
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The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has many geothermal resources along the Red Sea coast, volcanoes, and hot springs. Geoscience researchers within Saudi Arabia were looking for this type of energy five decades ago or even more, but studies are... more
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has many geothermal resources along the Red Sea coast, volcanoes, and hot springs. Geoscience researchers within Saudi Arabia were looking for this type of energy five decades ago or even more, but studies are still in academic shelves and no economic geothermal project. The economic vision of Saudi Arabia attempts to use this type of energy for new projects. In the current research, we are trying to collect the previous studies and literatures in geothermal energy to be in a database format. This database will assist decision-makers in drawing up a road map to explore, evaluate, and assess geothermal energy exploration in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Accordingly, geological, geophysical, and related studies are collected in a digital form to build the first Geothermal Resources Database in Saudi Arabia (GRDiSA) using the power full of the GIS environment. Additionally, built-in GIS extension is used as a modeler tool to target the potentiality of geothermal resources in Saudi Arabia. As a result, the first geothermal favorability map is generated based on the GIS model, indicating that the western side, where volcanoes and hot springs are located, is favorable for further geothermal exploration development.
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Magnetic depth estimation methods are routinely used to map the depth of sedimentary basins by assuming that the sediments are nonmagnetic and underlain by magnetic basement rocks. Most of these methods generate basement depth estimates... more
Magnetic depth estimation methods are routinely used to map the depth of sedimentary basins by assuming that the sediments are nonmagnetic and underlain by magnetic basement rocks. Most of these methods generate basement depth estimates at discrete points. Converting these depth estimates into a grid or map form often requires the application of qualitative methods. The reason for this is twofold: first, in deeper parts of basins, there is generally a scarcity of depth estimates and those that have been determined tend to be biased toward the shallower basement structures close to the basin edge; and second, depth estimates intrinsically relate to magnetic anomalies that emanate from the top edges of basement faults/contacts resulting in a shallow depth bias. Thus, simple grid interpolation of these depth estimates often forms a shallower and structurally unrepresentative map when evaluated in detail. To overcome these problems of qualitative and/or simple grid interpolation of thes...
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Abstract An earthquake of magnitude (M = 5.4) occurred on 19 May 2009 in the Lunayyir Volcanic Field (LVF), Saudi Arabia. The LVF is covered by recent basaltic rocks. The earthquake caused damages to the surrounding areas and resulted in... more
Abstract An earthquake of magnitude (M = 5.4) occurred on 19 May 2009 in the Lunayyir Volcanic Field (LVF), Saudi Arabia. The LVF is covered by recent basaltic rocks. The earthquake caused damages to the surrounding areas and resulted in surficial rapture trending in NNW-SSE direction with about 8-km length. Due to concern in future damaging earthquakes or volcanic activities, the government evacuated the residents for over 3 months. Seismologists from the Saudi Geological Survey (SGS) studied the recorded seismicity data around the damaged area to locate the epicenter of the (M = 5.4) earthquake. After extensive studies, they suggested that the main cause of the M = 5.4 event was magma dike intrusion at depth of about 5 km. However; the dike did not reach the surface and no eruption took place. Detailed ground and airborne gravity surveys around the earthquake area was carried out in an attempt to understand the reason of the earthquake and imaging the subsurface geology. In that regard, 380 gravity stations were measured in an area of about 600 km2 covering the surficial rupture. The gravity data was analyzed using edge detection tools and a 3D inversion technique. The results indicate that the 8-km surficial rupture extends toward the SE direction into the sub-surface which suggested a future seismic activity along this extension. Additionally, the dike intrusion location has low density values compared with the surrounding area which imply that this dike intrusion was created in the past, cooled, and solidified. Consequently, we assign the M 5.4 earthquake and the associated seismic swarm to simultaneous Red-Sea-Rift-parallel faulting and magmatic intrusion.
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Tiran and Sanafir islands and their surrounding areas are very important due to their location within the Red Sea, which is in a triple junction among the African and Arabian plates and the Sinai Peninsula microplate. Consequently, this... more
Tiran and Sanafir islands and their surrounding areas are very important due to their location within the Red Sea, which is in a triple junction among the African and Arabian plates and the Sinai Peninsula microplate. Consequently, this area should be studied from a geological point of view, particularly because there is a plan to construct King Salman’s bridge connecting Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Freely available potential field data, such as magnetic and gravity data, were integrated with seismological data from nearby seismic stations to understand the regional structure and seismic activity in the area. Potential field data were analysed using edge detection techniques (Tilt DeRivative and horizontal gradient) for qualitative interpretation and 2D inversion modelling for quantitative interpretation. Seismological data were analysed geostatistically to identify many epicentre locations and estimate the focal depths. The results of the potential field data analysis indicate that Tir...
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A gravity survey was undertaken to cover the King Abdulaziz University’s campus (~8 km2) as a pilot project funded from Deanship of Scientific Research (DSR). In the current study, 408 gravity stations were collected using the Scintrex... more
A gravity survey was undertaken to cover the King Abdulaziz University’s campus (~8 km2) as a pilot project funded from Deanship of Scientific Research (DSR). In the current study, 408 gravity stations were collected using the Scintrex CG5 gravimeter and a DGPS system, covering the whole university’ campus. The aim of this survey is to produce the first microgravity map for the King Abdulaziz University campus and image the subsurface conditions which help in the future constructions. Gravity surveys are carried out for 16 days, nights, and weekends when the campus has less traffic noise. Data were processed using conventional gravity data reduction technique, and then microgravity map for the campus was generated. Data were subject to geophysical filters such as edged detection (e.g., horizontal gradient) and depth estimation (e.g., Euler deconvolution, and 3D inversion) to image the subsurface conditions. Results indicate that bedrock relief surface is located at about 150 m. Some cracks/fractures were traced/detected underneath the surface in various directions. The results also indicate that the university campus is located on high-density rock zones, giving more stability to buildings.