Analysis and Interpretation of Aeromagnetic Data for East of Nasser Lake Area, Aswan, Egypt

Abstract

The area of study is located to the south east of Aswan occupying part of Nasser Lake in its western section. Nasser Lake is contemplated as a source of tectonic instability and earthquake activities in Aswan region. Most of this activity was recorded in the western side of the lake, coincides with the intersections of the two major fault systems, trending in the NS and EW directions. Therefore, mapping the subsurface structures in the study area can shed more light on the structural setting of this zone of the lake and its relation to tectonic instability. This study presents the analysis and interpretation of aeromagnetic data to map the subsurface structural framework of the area around the Lake. Structural interpretation of the magnetic data was achieved through applying advanced interpretation techniques that provide automatic delineation and depth estimation of the magnetic structures. These techniques include Horizontal Gradient, Euler deconvolution and Local wave number. The structure locations and depths obtained from these methods were integrated to delineate the tectonic framework of the area. The mapped structures reveal that the area is affected by a set of faults trending mainly in the NW-SE, EW, NS and NE-SW directions. Moreover, the area is dissected by basement uplifts and troughs controlled mainly by the NW-SE faults.