Edge detection and depth estimation of Galala El Bahariya Plateau, Eastern Desert-Egypt, from aeromagnetic data

Abstract

Edge detection and depth estimation techniques are very important step in the interpretation of magnetic anomalies. In this paper, the fast Fourier transform is applied to show the regional and residual sources. Different edge detection processes, for example, tilt angle derivative and its total horizontal derivative as well as 3D-Euler deconvolution, can determine the edges of these sources. These techniques were carried out on the aeromagnetic data of Galala El Bahariya Plateau. The estimated Euler solutions were plotted on the tilt angle derivative map. A good correlation was noticed between these techniques indicating that both of them can be attributed in delineating the general structural framework of the area. These techniques indicated that the Eastern part of Galala El Bahariya Plateau was highly affected by the Gulf of Suez rifting system. Whereas, the western parts of this plateau was slightly affected by the Gulf rifting system. Furthermore, the old Tethyan trend was maintained in both regional and residual components. The depth estimation was applied using analytic signal and Source Parameter imaging techniques. These depth methods show comparable results. The depth to the top of the basement sources ranges from 240 to about 4340 m.