National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics, Helwan, egypt
moh_zaher@yahoo.com
B.SC. in Geophysics (1999) from Faculty of Science, Assiut Universit Premaster degree (2001) Dept. of Geophysics, Faculty of Science, Assiut University. Master of science, Applied Geophysics (2005) with title "Geophysical Studies on the Southern Part of the Western Desert, Egypt" from Geology Department, Assiut University, Egypt. Now, PH.D. candidate in the Geothermic Lab., Earth Resource Engineering dept., Kyushu University, Japan
Abstract: The study area comprises the southern part of the Western Desert of Egypt, bounded by the latitudes 22o 00\ and 26o 30\ N, and longitudes 28o 30\ and 33o 00\ E. The aim of the present study is to delineate the major surface and subsurface structures and to evaluate tectonic framework of the study area. Surface studies of the present work are based mainly on two scenes of Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) centers; Path (172), Row (44/45) where the subsurface studies were done by using available data in the form of Bouguer gravity anomaly map scale 1:500,000 and the lithological logs of more than 120 deep wells scattered in the study area. The study aims to determine the thickness of the sedimentary cover with special emphasize on the thickness of sandstone facies within the main water bearing formations in the area. The predominant structures that affect the basement rocks and the sedimentary cover were also studies.
The subsurface study indicated that the surface of the basement rocks is rugged and mostly controlled by structures and consequently the thickness of sedimentary cover is highly changeable from a locality to the other all over the area. Regionally, the area is characterized by two major intracratonic basins (Dakhla Basin and Nile Valley Basin) separated by NE-SW trending swell region of Kharga uplift and bounded from the south by the Oweinat â Bir Safsaf â Aswan uplift. These major tectonic units are controlled by the N-S, E-W, NE-SW, NW-SE tectonic lines, which originate from the basement rocks and extend upward in the sedimentary cover.
The applicability of geoelectric techniques was tested in a selected area about 100 Km south of Baris Oasis by executing eight VESâs. Measurements of electric resistivity were carried out on a selected profile previously measured by gravity method using the well-known Schlumberger configuration at electrode separation ranging from AB/2 = 1.5m to 1000m. The geoelectric cross-section and gravity profiles show that the thickness of the sedimentary rocks increases towards the east and the basement surface is characterized by the presence of two highs and lows. The major uplift of the basement surface recorded at the west of the section bounded by normal fault brings the ground water aquifer near the surface.
Four fault trends namely E-W, N-S, N55oE, and N35oW were found to represent deep-seated as well as near-surface structures as they affect the basement rocks and propagate upword into the sedimentary cover, to appear in both the Bouguer anomaly maps as well as the satellite mosaic. The N55oW trend was found to represent a shallow ânear-surfaceâ seen only on satellite image.
Finally, the study area is characterized by the presence of remarkable thick sedimentary cover, in some localities as west Oweinat, west Kurkur, southwest of Aswan, Gramashin, Dakhla oasis and some localities west of Sohag and Qena towns. Accordingly, the probability for presence of economic amounts of ground water increases at these localities so these areas must take the priority within the programs of the sustainable development in southern Egypt.
Abstract: The tectonic position of Egypt in the northeastern corner of the African continent suggests that it may possess significant geothermal resources, especially along its eastern margin. The most of the thermal springs in Egypt are located along the shores of Gulf of Suez and Red Sea. These springs are probably tectonic or non-volcanic origin associated with the opening of the Red Sea â Gulf of Suez rifts, where the eastern shore of the Gulf of Suez is characterized by superficial thermal manifestations including a cluster of hot springs with varied temperatures. Hammam Faraun area consists of the hottest spring in Egypt where the water temperature is 70 oC. Conceptual as well as numerical models were made on the Hammam Faraun hot spring based on geological, geochemical and geophysical data. The models show that the heat source of the hot spring is probably derived from high heat flow and deep water circulation controlled by faults associated with the opening of the Red Sea and Gulf of Suez rifts.
Abstract: Although Egypt is not characterized by abundant Cenozoic igneous activity, its location in the northeastern corner of the African plate suggests that it may possess geothermal resources, especially along its eastern margin. The Eastern Desert of Egypt characterizes by some geothermal potential fields particularly adjacent to the Red Sea. Although the western part of Egypt (Western Desert) has low regional temperature gradients, there are many wells with deep artesian aquifers which represent a low-temperature geothermal resource (35â40°C). In addition, the eastern shore of the Gulf of Suez consists of the hottest springs, including Ain Sokhna, Ayun Musa, Ain Hammam Faraun and Hammam Musa. These areas along both shores of the Gulf of Suez are the most promising for geothermal development. Many geothermal explorations were carried out in Egypt using geophysical and geochemical techniques. Recently obtained data indicates a temperature of 120°C or higher may be found in the reservoir located adjacent to the Gulf of Suez and Red Sea coastal zone. A conceptual model was constructed for the Hammam Faraun hot spring on the eastern side of the Gulf of Suez, which is the hottest spring in Egypt. The model shows the heat source of the hot spring is probably derived from high terrestrial heat flow and deep fluid circulation controlled by faults associated with the opening of the Red Sea and Gulf of Suez rifts.
Abstract: The Bouguer anomaly map of scale 1:500,000 and the lithological logs of more than 120 deep wells distributed in the Southern part of Western Desert of Egypt were used to determine the thickness of the sedimentary cover containing the main sandstone water formation. The predominant structures affecting both the basement rock and the sedimentary cover were also studied. Gravity stripping approach was applied to separate density anomalies within the sedimentary fill from the influence of deeper levels in the crystalline crust. The study indicated that the surface of the basement rock is highly rugged and mostly controlled by structures causing variation of the sedimentary cover thickness from location to other all over the area. Isopach maps were constructed based on the Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model which is considered a best method for that operation. The maximum thickness of sandstone formations is recorded at west Oweinat, southwest of Aswan, Dakhla oasis and west of Qena town. As this formation is the main water aquifer in the study area, therefore these locations are characterized by the presence of huge amount of ground water. Accordingly, these areas must be taking the priority in the programs of sustainable development in southern Egypt.
Abstract: A Bouguer gravity anomaly map and eight Vertical Electrical Sounding profiles in an area 23o 30â â 23o 50â latitude and 30o 00â â 30o 40â E longitude in the southern Western Desert of Egypt were used to determine the thickness of sedimentary cover containing the main water rich sandstone formation. The predominant structures affecting the basement rock and sedimentary cover were also studied. Resistivity surveys are routinely employed in groundwater exploration to locate zones of relatively high conductivity corresponding to water-saturated strata at depths to about 400 m, as well as provide structural and lithological information. Measurements of electric resistivity were carried out on a selected profile that was surveyed previously by a gravity method. The geoelectric cross-section and gravity profiles showed the thickness of the sedimentary rocks increases towards the east and the basement surface is characterized by the presence of two highs and lows. The major uplift of the basement surface recorded in the west of the section bounded by a normal fault results in the ground water aquifer being near the surface. The Darb El-Arbeen area is characterized by the presence of a huge amount of groundwater. Accordingly, this area must take priority in programs for the sustainable development of groundwater in southern Egypt.
Abstract: Egypt is located in the northeastern corner of the African continent and bounded to the east by Red Sea and what has been interpreted as a median spreading center in the Red Sea and Gulf of Suez which may reflect that these areas are the most promising for geothermal exploration. Temperature logs of about 105 marine oil wells were used for estimating the distribution of subsurface temperatures and the heat flows in Gulf of Suez region in order to demonstrate the geothermal resources in that area. Generally, highest temperature gradients were recorded southward and on rift margins and around the hot spring areas on the eastern margin of the Gulf of Suez. Simultaneously, High heat flows are recorded at the hot spring regions especially around Hammam Faraun hot spring. Analyses of Bouguer anomaly and aeromagnetic maps of the Gulf of Suez were used for delineating the subsurface structures and tectonic framework of the area. Integration between these maps and thermal logs elucidated the deep seated structure at the hottest areas. Thus, the thermal maturity lines on any cross section across the Gulf of Suez would be slightly concave and reflective of basement structure.
Abstract: There is a clear correlation between the principal areas of current geothermal development and the seismically active boundaries of the moving segments of lithosphere defined by the plate tectonic models of the earth. Although many geothermal systems are associated with volcanic eruptions, it would also important to search for new geothermal resources along the plate boundaries and tectonic areas. Gulf of Suez region represents the most promising area of geothermal exploration in whole Egypt, where its eastern shore is characterized by superficial thermal manifestations including a cluster of hot springs with varied temperatures. These springs are probably tectonic or non-volcanic origin associated with the opening of the Red Sea â Gulf of Suez rifts. Based on geological, geothermal, geochemical and geophysical data conceptual as well as numerical models of hydrothermal systems were made on Hammam Faraun and Hammam Musa hot springs which represent the hottest springs in Egypt. The models show that the heat source of the hot springs is probably derived from high heat flow and deep water circulation controlled by faults associated with the opening of the Red Sea and Gulf of Suez rifts. The main sources of this water are from meteoric water and sea water. This water flows upward through faults and fractures associated with the opening of the Red Sea and Gulf of Suez rifts.
Abstract: The location of Egypt in the northeastern corner of the African continent suggests that it may possess geothermal resources, especially along its eastern margin. The NW Red Sea-Gulf of Suez rift system reflects that these areas are the most promising for geothermal development, where the eastern shore of the Gulf of Suez characterized by superficial thermal manifestations represented by a cluster of hot springs with varied temperatures including Uyun Musa, Hammam Faraun and Hammam Musa hot springs . Thermal logs of about 105 marine oil wells were used for estimating the distribution of subsurface temperatures and the heat flow in Gulf of Suez region in order to demonstrate the geothermal resources in that area. Temperature gradients which determined from thermal logs represented high values in areas of hot springs as well as in the southern part around the region of triple junction and the highest gradients were recorded around Hammam Faraun hot spring area (0.07 oC/m). Also, the eastern margin of the Gulf of Suez is characterized by high heat flow values of more than 120 mW/m2. Bouguer anomaly map of Gulf of Suez with Scale 1:500,000, published by the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) in 1980, was used for delineating the subsurface structure at that area. Integration between Bouguer anomaly map and thermal logs elucidated the deep seated structure at the hottest areas.
Abstract: The study area comprises the southeastern part of the Western Desert of Egypt. The aim of the present study is to delineate the major surface structures in such arid region by using two scenes of Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) centers; Path (172), Row (44/45). Enhancement techniques were applied on the mosaic image including false color composite, histogram equalization and filtering techniques in order to enhance the structural geological information (lineaments) and to increase the ability to extract more information about the surface geology of the study area. Also classification techniques were used to produce a land cover classification map of the study area from the processed Landsat mosaic. The surface lineament rose diagram derived from the enhanced mosaic image shows the presence of the following lineament trends: E-W, N55oW, N55oE, N-S and N35oW. These lineaments as well as the topographic map of the study area were compared with Landsat image using ArcGIS program.
Abstract: Although Egypt is not characterized by abundant Cenozoic igneous activity, its location in the northeastern corner of the African plate suggests that it may possess geothermal resources, especially along its eastern margin. The eastern shore of the Gulf of Suez consists of the hottest springs such as Ayun Musa and Ain Hammam Faraun. These areas along both shores of the Gulf of Suez are the most promising for geothermal development. Additionally, in Eastern Desert of Egypt particularly the areas adjacent to the Red Sea, some geothermal potential fields were located while in the western part of Egypt (Western Desert) the major oases (Kharga, Dakhla, Farafra, and Baharia) have low regional temperature gradient but many wells, which the deep artesian aquifers show a low temperature geothermal resource (35-40oC range). Many geothermal explorations were carried in Egypt using geophysical and geochemical techniques. The recent data indicates that temperature of 150oC or higher may be found in the reservoir located adjacent to Gulf of Suez and Red Sea coastal zone. Conceptual and numerical models were made in Hammam Faraun hot spring at the western side of Gulf of Suez, which represent the hottest spring in Egypt. The models show that the heat source of the hot spring is probably derived from high heat flow and deep circulation controlled by faults associated with the opening of the Red Sea and Gulf of Suez rifts.
