Determination of sedimentary cover and structural trends in the Central Sinai area using gravity and magnetic data analysis

The present study is an attempt to determine the sedimentary cover, and structural trends in the central part of Sinai Peninsula, Egypt. This study has been implemented by the integration of gravity and magnetic methods. Gravity data has been used for 2D modelling along some profiles perpendicular to the main structural trends of the study area. Magnetic data will be analyzed to determine the depth to the basement surface. The depths obtained from magnetic data will be used as a control points in the gravity modelling in order to minimize the error and facilitate the iteration of the suggested models. The basement relief map from magnetic and gravity output has been produced. This map indicates that, the basement depths, generally, increases from south to north and from east to west direction of the study area. The sedimentary cover is about 1.5–2 km in the southern part and increases to more than 4 km in the northeastern and western parts and changes gradually in the other parts of the study area. Results of structural trend analysis indicate that, the study area is greatly affected by several structural trends; N–S, E–W, NW–SE, and NNE–SSW directions. These trends are associated with the Baltim fault trend, Tethyan trend, Gulf of Suez, and Aqaba trend, respectively.

► This study is used to determine the sedimentary cover and structural trends. ► The sedimentary cover ranges between (1.5 and 4.5Km) in the study area. ► Trend analysis indicated that, the study area is greatly affected by many trends. ► These trends in the N - S, NE- SW, NW – SE and the NNE - SSW directions. ► Three new maps are constructed from this study.