Delineation of structure elements and the basement depth at the Jifara plain NW LIBYA using integration application of potential field dataset

Abstract

In this study, the analysis of ground gravity data (from the Libyan Petroleum Institute) and aeromagnetic data (from the African Magnetic Mapping Project) are used to delineate the structure elements and basement depth within the Jifara plain, northwest Libya. A high-pass filter and a reduction-to-the-pole (RTP) transformation are applied to the gravity and aeromagnetic data respectively. The Total horizontal gradient and Centre for Exploration Targeting (CET) grid analysis are applied to gravity datasets. Werner deconvolution is applied to the RTP magnetic data. One 2-D forward modelling profile is applied to gravity and magnetic dataset. The results show gravity anomaly highs and magnetic anomaly with different structure trends. Werner deconvolution profile shows a high-density intrusion (about 1.8 km from the surface) within the sedimentary sequence. The intrusion may be the result of the Eocene volcanic activities near the Gharyan region. The 2-D model shows that the basement depth of Jifara plain ranges from 2.8 to 3.0 km. The integration results of the gravity and magnetic dataset reflect various periods of tectonic activities within Jifara plain and the adjacent area.