Gravity-Based Structural Modelling of Awataib Area, River Nile, State, Central Sudan

Abstract

In this paper the authors are discussing the structural setting of Awataib valley area through Gravity-based variation measurements, which have been obtained by Simple Bouguer Anomaly formula that uses the relative difference in the vertical component of the earth gravitational field between Base station and other observational points. The study objective at using Regional gravity survey is to reveal the subsurface structural geology of Awataib valley and adjacent areas. Land Sat image aided by collected field data were used in this study. Surfer software version 8.02 used to produce contoured-base map of gravity data set. Grav Modeler Program in the Geological Research Authority of Sudan (G. R. A. S.) has been just used to perform 2-D Density-Depth modeling. Free-hand graphical technique has been used to perform geological sections from derived gravity models. The NW-SE lineament has been considered as fault coincides with valley of Awataib, thus faults map has been suggested from the calibration of Bouguer anomaly steep gradients and field observations. Some of the geology faults are considered to be a rejuvenation of pre-Nubian fractures; so far, this study suggests an extension of Umm Marahik strike slip fault with general trend of NE-SW ending at Awataib valley. The depth of sediments less than 450 meters and the average effective thickness is about 275 meters which’s making up basinal features that probably considered as water-bearing formations ready to be drilled.