Abstract
Egypt had been subjected to earthquakes of various degrees but earthquake observation in this country started only in 1899. Earthquakes were found in the locations where fractures have relatives high densities.
The Fracture pattern of Egypt south Latitude at 29° N was studied regionally based on Landsat images and aerial photomosaics. Fractures in the Eastern Desert have the prominent trends, NW, E-W, NNW and ENE, showing high density in the northern and southern parts. These fractures control the distribution of mineral deposits and radioactivity in the basement rocks.
Fractures in Western Desert are less remarkable with the main trend NNW, E-W, N-S and NW, showing high density in the central part. The NNW trending fractures have the same direction of sand dunes which cover larger areas in the northwestern part of Western Desert.
Based on the geographical distribution of earthquakes in the seismic maps and centers of high fractures density on the structural contour maps, the area south of latitude 29° N of Egypt was divided into three regions: The Red Sea, Western Desert and Aswan Environs. This correlation led to the conclusion that the fractures have an effect on earthquake activity, are trending ENE and WNW in the Red Sea, NW and N-S in the Western Desert and E-W and NNW in Aswan Environs.
It should be emphasized that fractures with higher density are more susceptible to earthquakes in the locations characterized by two dominant sets of fractures especially at their intersections.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Barakat, M. G. and Ashri, A. H.: 1972, Airphoto interpretation of some structural features in the area southeast of Aswan, Egypt, J. Geol 16, No. 2, 247–255.
El Ghawaby, M. A.: 1979, The tectonic development of North Eastern Corner of Africa, First Geological Congress of the Middle East (GEOCOME-1), Ankara, Turkey, 30 pp.
El Rakaiby, M. L.: 1984, Application of lineaments analysis of Landsat-M.SS, Imagery for mineral exploration in northern Red Sea hills, Eastern Desert, Egypt, Ann. Geol. Surv. Egypt ,XIV, 165– 171.
El Saharty, A. and El Nekhely, A.: 1984, Displacement of some major continental crustal plates. Second International Symposium of Crustal Movements in Africa, Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, Helwan Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics. Helwan, Egypt, pp. 13.
El Shazly, E. M.: 1966, Structural development of Egypt, U.A.R., The Geol Soc. of Egypt., 4th Annual Meeting, Cairo, pp. 31–38.
El Shazly, E. M., Abdel Hady, M. A., El Ghawaby, M. A. Salman, A. B., El Kassas, I. A., Khawasik, S. M., Amin, H., and El Rakaiby, M. M.: 1980, The structural lineaments map of Egypt based on Landsat-1 Imagery interpretation and field investigations. Remote Sensing Center, Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, Cairo, Egypt.
El Shazly, E. M.: 1982, Reconnaissance studies on earthquakes effects in Aswan area, Egypt. Remote Sensing Center, Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, Cairo, Egypt.
El Shazly, E. M., Abdel Hady, M. A., Salman, A. B., El Rakaiby, M. M., and El Aassy, I. E.: 1982, Natural resources investigation in west Kharga Oasis plain, Western Desert, Egypt. using Landsat Imagery interpretation, Proc. Internat. Sympos. Remote Sensing of Environments ,Vol. II, Cairo, Egypt.
Hodgson, R. A.: 1975, Regional linear analysis as a guide to mineral resource exploration using landsat data, U.S.G.S. Prof. Paper 1015, 155–175.
Ibrahim, E. M.: 1988, Tectonic activity in Egypt and its near vicinity and their estimation from the study of seismo-magmatic activity of the area. National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics, Helwan, Egypt (Abstract).
Issawi, B.: 1971, Geology of Darb El Arbain, Western Desert, Egypt, Ann. Geol. Surv 1, 53–92.
Kamel, A. F.: 1990, Structural Lineaments in the basement rocks of the central Eastern Desert, Egypt, J. African Earth Sci. and the Middle East 11(1/2) 129–133.
Kebeasy, R. M. and Ibrahim, E. M.: 1982. Aswan Lake induced earthquakes, Preliminary investigation, Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, Helwan Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics, Helwan, Egypt. pp. 4.
Kebeasy, R. M., Maamoun, M., Ibrahim, E. M., and Megahed, A. M.: 1984, A report of regional historical seismicity submitted to the advisory panel of seismic activity and dam stability studies, Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, Egypt.
Kebeasy, R. M.: 1988, Induced seismicity around Aswan Lake, Egypt. Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, National Research institute of Astronomy and Geophysics. (Abstract).
Said, R.: 1962, The geology of Egypt ,Elsevier, Amsterdam, New York. pp. 377.
Schandelmeier, H., Klitzch, E., Hendriks, F., and Wucisk, P.: 1987, Structural development of northeast Africa since Precambrian times, Berliner Geowissenschaftliche Abhandlungen (A) Band 75. 1, pp. 5–24.
Toppozada, T. R., Boulocs, F. K. Henin, S. F., El Sherif, A. A., El Syed, A. A., Basta, N. Z., Shativya, F. A., Melik, Y. S., Cramer, C. H., and Parke, D. L.: 1984, Seismicity near Aswan High Dam, Egypt, Following the November 1981, earthquake, Ann. Geol. Surv. Egypt ,XIV, 107–126.
Youssef, M. I.: 1968, Structural pattern of Egypt and its interpretation, Am. Assoc. Petrol. Geol. Bull 52, No. 4, 601–614.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1994 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Kamel, A.F. (1994). Regional Fracture Analysis South Latitude 29° N of Egypt and Their Influence on Earthquakes. In: El-Sabh, M.I., Murty, T.S., Venkatesh, S., Siccardi, F., Andah, K. (eds) Recent Studies in Geophysical Hazards. Advances in Natural and Technological Hazards Research, vol 3. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-0976-5_14
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-0976-5_14
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-010-4423-3
Online ISBN: 978-94-011-0976-5
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive