Optimal thermal water locations along the Gulf of Suez coastal zones, Egypt

Abstract

Remote sensing and GIS techniques were utilized to specify criteria characterizing thermal water localities along the Gulf of Suez coastal zones. Surface temperatures were extracted from ETM+ (band 6) and AVHRR image data. Specific sites were characterized by high surface temperatures: 31–34 °C at Ayun Musa, 31–37 °C at Ain El Sukhna, and 34–43 °C at Hammam Faraun. The results were consistent with measurements taken during field visits. These springs are located in regions of tectonic heating due to the opening of the Red Sea and Gulf of Suez rifts. The heat for these springs is probably derived from high heat flow and deep circulation controlled by faults associated with rift opening. Data fusion was applied to ETM+ and ASTER images from 2000 to extract information about lineaments and major structures controlling hot spring distribution and geothermal localities in the Gulf of Suez area. The major geologic structures were oriented to NNW–SSE-trending faults. Principal component analyses and image classification techniques were applied to construct rock unit maps. The hot spring sites are covered by wadi deposits and surrounded by fractured Eocene limestone. The thermal water areas are characterized by low topography and high-order drainage patterns flowing toward the Gulf of Suez coastal zones. The results of this study indicate that localities most likely to contain thermal water along the Gulf of Suez are covered with fractured Eocene limestone and characterized by low topography, high-order drainage patterns, and surface temperatures ranging from 34 °C to 43 °C. These criteria can help in predicting the locations of other hot spring areas and selecting optimum sites for the generation of thermal energy.