Fault-related domes: Insights from sedimentary outcrops at the northern tip of the Gulf of Suez rift, Egypt

Domes may develop with various mechanisms in different types of rocks. Knowing the geometries and occurrences of domes is an important concern in classifying different types of domes. A number of fault-related domal structures are outcropped at the northern Gulf of Suez rift, Egypt and they are easily visualized on satellite imagery. Detailed surface geological field mapping is carried out at several localities to assess types and origins of these domes. Three main subdivisions of fault-related domes are suggested in the present study. These are: (1) domes formed in strike-slip zones (D-SZ), (2) domes formed by drag along normal fault arrays (D-DF) and (3) domes formed at transfer zones of normal faults (D-TZ). Structural analysis of the studied domes reveals that each dome type has its own geometric parameters, structural style and tectonic setting. The obtained results are without doubt interesting for the analysis of similar domes at the subsurface and other exposures worldwide.