Geophysical contribution to evaluate the hydrothermal potentiality in egypt: case study: hammam faraun and abu swiera, sinai, egypt

The geothermal potentiality in Egypt has a minor significance in the aspects of the Egyptians life, while the hydraulic and hydrocarbonresources are more convenient. However, some other applications for the geothermal activity such as direct warming, pools, and physiotherapy make the research for geothermal as requested. In the present work, two locations with rather good geothermal potentiality will be studied; these are HammamFaraun and Abu Swiera (water temperature is about 70 °C; at Sinai Peninsula).The contribution of the geophysical techniques to evaluate such potentiality could be considered, as its capability to identifythe reservoir characteristics and its implementation is acceptable. Therefore, a geophysical survey program has been conductedin terms of seventeen vertical electrical soundings (VES) and two wide profiles of Control Source Electromagnetic (CSEM) forward step at HammamFaraun and two wide profiles of CSEM at Abu Swiera. The geophysical techniques yield information on the spatial distribution of electrical conductivity, which is the most sensitive parameter to fluids in the rocks. The analysis of the geophysical data, together with the field and geochemical studies lead to the conclusion that, the thermalwater in the subsurface formations might be considered as the preferred cause of the high conductivity in the subsurface on/close to the boarder of tectonically active regions, particularly, where the anomalous conductivity is correlated with high heat flow and other geophysical and geological parameters

Carte des résistivités du sous-sol aux abords orientaux du Ramesseum (Louxor,Egypte)

An electrical survey, with the aim of detecting the remains of ancient structures buried beneath Nile silts, was carried out to the east of the first pylon of the Ramesseum at Luxor. A resistivity map covering an area of 1,25 hectares was produced. Interpretation, augmented by three electrical soundings, enabled clear differentiation between the principal anomalies : those due to agricultural features (fields and drains) and, of greater interest, those which could belong to the Pharaonic period. Test excavation revealed the presence of building blocks and a sandy horizon at an approximate depth of one meter.Une prospection électrique a été réalisée sur les terrains situés à l'Est du premier pylône du Ramesseum, dans le but d'y retrouver des restes d'anciennes structures enfouies sous des déblais et/ou les limons du Nil. Les mesures ont permis d'établir, en plusieurs temps, une carte de résistivité couvrant environ 1,25 ha. L'interprétation, appuyée sur trois sondages électriques, a conduit à distinguer, dans les principales anomalies résistantes, celles, parasites, dues aux structures agricoles (champs et drainage) et celles, plus intéressantes, qui paraissent d'origine pharaonique. Des sondages de contrôle par la fouille ont permis de retrouver des restes de blocs de construction et un niveau sableux vers un mètre de profondeur.Guillaume André, Atya Magdy A., Hesse A. Carte des résistivités du sous-sol aux abords orientaux du Ramesseum (Louxor,Egypte). In: Revue d'Archéométrie, n°19, 1995. pp. 19-24

Implementation of ground

Bahariya Oasis is one of the lately inspected spots in Egypt and has a long historical record extending from the old kingdom till the emergence of Islam. Since June 1999, the Valley of the Golden Mummies near Bawiti (at kilometer 6 on the road leads to Farafra Oasis) became significant due to the discoveries of amazing mummies of gelded faces. The archeologists believe that the Valley has more valuable tombs that still unrevealed. Also, the possibility that the Greco-Roman Necropolis extends to areas other than Kilo-6 is sustainable. The ground penetrating radar and electrical resistivity tomography are two geophysical tools that have successful applications in archeological assessment. The two techniques were used in integration plan to assert the archeological potentiality of the studied site and to map the feasible tombs. Sum of 798 GPR profiles and 19 ERT cross sections was carried out over the study area. The results of them were analyzed to envisage these results in archeological terms

GEOPHYSICAL CONTRIBUTION TO EVALUATE THE HYDROTHERMAL POTENTIALITY IN EGYPT: CASE STUDY: HAMMAM FARAUN AND ABU SWIERA, SINAI, EGYPT

The geothermal potentiality in Egypt has a minor significance in the aspects of the Egyptians life, while the hydraulic and hydrocarbonresources are more convenient. However, some other applications for the geothermal activity such as direct warming, pools, and physiotherapy make the research for geothermal as requested. In the present work, two locations with rather good geothermal potentiality will be studied; these are HammamFaraun and Abu Swiera (water temperature is about 70 °C; at Sinai Peninsula).<br />The contribution of the geophysical techniques to evaluate such potentiality could be considered, as its capability to identifythe reservoir characteristics and its implementation is acceptable. Therefore, a geophysical survey program has been conductedin terms of seventeen vertical electrical soundings (VES) and two wide profiles of Control Source Electromagnetic (CSEM) forward step at HammamFaraun and two wide profiles of CSEM at Abu Swiera. The geophysical techniques yield information on the spatial distribution of electrical conductivity, which is the most sensitive parameter to fluids in the rocks. <br />The analysis of the geophysical data, together with the field and geochemical studies lead to the conclusion that, the thermalwater in the subsurface formations might be considered as the preferred cause of the high conductivity in the subsurface on/close to the boarder of tectonically active regions, particularly, where the anomalous conductivity is correlated with high heat flow and other geophysical and geological parameters

Assessing Groundwater Accessibility in the Kharga Basin, Egypt: A Remote Sensing Approach

We used multi-map analysis of remote sensing and ancillary data to identify potentially accessible sites for groundwater resources in the Kharga Basin in the Western Desert of Egypt. This basin is dominated by Cretaceous sandstone formations and extends within the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer. It is dissected by N-S and E-W trending faults, possibly acting as conduits for upward migration of groundwater. Analysis of paleo-drainage using Digital Elevation Model (DEM) generated from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) data shows that the Kharga was a closed basin that might have been the site of a paleo-lake. Lake water recharged the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer during the wetter Holocene time. We generated the following layers for the multi-map analysis: (1) Fracture density map from the interpretation of Landsat Operational Land Imager (OLI), SRTM DEM, and RADARSAT data. (2) Thermal Inertia (TI) map (for moisture content imaging) from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data. (3) Hydraulic conductivity map from mapping lithological units using the Landsat OLI and previously published data. (4) Aquifer thickness map from previously published data. We quantitatively ranked the Kharga Basin by considering that regions of high fracture density, high TI, thicker aquifer, and high hydraulic conductivity have higher potential for groundwater accessibility. Our analysis shows that part of the southern Kharga Basin is suitable for groundwater extraction. This region is where N-S and E-W trending faults intersect, has relatively high TI and it is underlain by thick aquifer. However, the suitability of this region for groundwater use will be reduced significantly when considering the changes in land suitability and economic depth to groundwater extraction in the next 50 years

CSEM IMAGING OF THE NEAR SURFACE DYNAMICS AND ITS IMPACT FOR FOUNDATION STABILITY AT QUARTER 27, 15th OF MAY CITY, HELWAN, EGYPT

In the present work, we involve the Control Source Electromagnetic (CSEM) Technique to image the dynamic migration center of the near surface fractures, fissures, and cracks in a new dwelling area at 15th of May city close to Cairo. This area forms the center of the zonal weakness of the subsoil, which in turn, interact with the weight center of the construction leading to catastrophiccollapses.The control source electromagnetic technique has been developed recently to monitor the migration of the weakness center represented as the accumulative fissures and cracks in thenear surface. Three composite profiles of wide and planshet mesh data have been collected in 2008. This survey has been followed by performing two profiles in 2010; one of these profiles has been repeated to observe the situation changes, and the second profile has been measured between the other two profiles of2008. The last profile had been performed to study the mutual relation between the measurements of the two cycles. The objectives of the whole process are to validate the capability of the technique to pick the minor changes of the weakness center, consequently, study its relation to the weight center of the adjacent construction to produce a recommended procedure to minimizethe destruction resources at the site of investigation.The measured data has been interpreted and represented in graphs showing the distribution of the heterogeneity of the geoelectric parameters in the subsoil, furthermore, in a series of geoelectric cross section representing the applied frequencies used during the survey. The study concludes that (1) the center of the cracked zone is moving upward closer to the surface of the ground and heaver, (2) the water content is moving downward producing soil dryness at the shallow depths, and (3) the site became more stable in 2010 than 2008, however, the destruction resources remain warning with collapse events. Furthermore, the situation reflects the relation between the water content and the changes in the weakness center

Csem imaging of the near surface dynamics and its impact for foundation stability at quarter 27, 15th of may city, helwan, egypt

In the present work, we involve the Control Source Electromagnetic (CSEM) Technique to image the dynamic migration center of the near surface fractures, fissures, and cracks in a new dwelling area at 15th of May city close to Cairo. This area forms the center of the zonal weakness of the subsoil, which in turn, interact with the weight center of the construction leading to catastrophiccollapses.The control source electromagnetic technique has been developed recently to monitor the migration of the weakness center represented as the accumulative fissures and cracks in thenear surface. Three composite profiles of wide and planshet mesh data have been collected in 2008. This survey has been followed by performing two profiles in 2010; one of these profiles has been repeated to observe the situation changes, and the second profile has been measured between the other two profiles of2008. The last profile had been performed to study the mutual relation between the measurements of the two cycles. The objectives of the whole process are to validate the capability of the technique to pick the minor changes of the weakness center, consequently, study its relation to the weight center of the adjacent construction to produce a recommended procedure to minimizethe destruction resources at the site of investigation.The measured data has been interpreted and represented in graphs showing the distribution of the heterogeneity of the geoelectric parameters in the subsoil, furthermore, in a series of geoelectric cross section representing the applied frequencies used during the survey. The study concludes that (1) the center of the cracked zone is moving upward closer to the surface of the ground and heaver, (2) the water content is moving downward producing soil dryness at the shallow depths, and (3) the site became more stable in 2010 than 2008, however, the destruction resources remain warning with collapse events. Furthermore, the situation reflects the relation between the water content and the changes in the weakness center

Subsurface investigation on Quarter 27 of May 15th city, Cairo, Egypt using electrical resistivity tomography and shallow seismic refraction techniques

AbstractGeophysical tools such as electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and shallow seismic (both P-wave seismic refraction and Multi-channel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW)) are interesting techniques for delineating the subsurface configurations as stratigraphy, structural elements, caves and water saturated zones. The ERT technique is used to delineate the contamination, to detect the buried objects, and to quantify some aquifer properties. Eight 2-D (two dimensional) electrical resistivity sections were measured using two different configurations (dipole–dipole and Wenner). The spread length is of 96m and the electrodes spacing are 2, 4 and 6m, respectively to reach a depth ranging from 13 to 17m. The results indicate that, the subsurface section is divided into main three geo-electrical units, the first is fractured marl and limestone which exhibits high resistivity values ranging from 40 to 300ohmm. The second unit is corresponding to marl of moderate resistivity values and the third unit, which is the deeper unit, exhibits very low resistivity values corresponding to clayey marl. The fourth layer is marly clay with water. The presence of clay causes the most geotechnical problems. Fourteen shallow seismic sections (both for P-wave and MASW) were carried out using spread of 94m and geophone spacing of 2m for each P-wave section. The results demonstrate that the deduced subsurface section consists of four layers, the first layer exhibits very low P-wave velocity ranging from 280 to 420m/s, the second layer reveals P-wave velocity ranging from 400 to 1200m/s, the third layer has P-wave velocity ranging from 970 to 2000m/s and the fourth layer exhibits high velocity ranging from 1900 to 3600m/s. The ERT and shallow seismic results, reflect the presence of two parallel faults passing through Quarter 27 and trending NW-SE

The Egyptian pyramid chain was built along the now abandoned Ahramat Nile Branch

The largest pyramid field in Egypt is clustered along a narrow desert strip, yet no convincing explanation as to why these pyramids are concentrated in this specific locality has been given so far. Here we use radar satellite imagery, in conjunction with geophysical data and deep soil coring, to investigate the subsurface structure and sedimentology in the Nile Valley next to these pyramids. We identify segments of a major extinct Nile branch, which we name The Ahramat Branch, running at the foothills of the Western Desert Plateau, where the majority of the pyramids lie. Many of the pyramids, dating to the Old and Middle Kingdoms, have causeways that lead to the branch and terminate with Valley Temples which may have acted as river harbors along it in the past. We suggest that The Ahramat Branch played a role in the monuments’ construction and that it was simultaneously active and used as a transportation waterway for workmen and building materials to the pyramids’ sites

Origin of mysterious geothermal gas emissions in the middle of the Western Desert, stable shelf area, Dakhla Oasis, Egypt

Abstract This work responds to what was reported in various audio-visual media channels and to queries and explanations from individuals and local residents on the causes of gaseous and thermal emissions from the Earth near the vicinity of the village of Al-Hindaw in Dakhla city, New Valley Governorate, Egypt. At the location of the fume exit area, magnetic, seismic, and electromagnetic geophysical investigations were carried out to identify the factor(s) responsible for the event in question. Rock samples were collected and studied geochemically and radiographically to assess their chemical compositions, as well as the quantity of organic chemicals that may have contributed to the burning and temperature increase. In light of the results of the geochemical and geophysical research, it is believed that the self-ignitions are the result of near-surface reactions and oxidation instead of volcanic activity, such as the presence of magma or other comparable phenomena