Tectonic Settings and Neo-tectonics of the Arabian Peninsula as Deduced from Satellite Altimeter and Gravity Data

Abstract

AbstractThe Arabian Peninsula is an interesting region from both tectonic and seismic perspectives. It shows an active geologic structure attributed to the tectonic movement of the rifting of the Red Sea from the west and the collision of the Arabian Plate with the Persian Plate to the northern and northeastern boundaries. To the south, similar rifling running in a more East–West direction through the Gulf of Aden has separated the Arabian Peninsula from Africa. These complicated tectonics attributed with seismological activities indicate seismological activities along the neo-tectonic zones. Radar altimetry data have been used to derive gravity and its variations over the oceans. It is considered as an excellent tool for mapping sea floor structures, including tectonics, sea mounts and rifts. Besides, the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE), satellite mission has widely demonstrated its sensitivity to ongoing mass redistribution within the various sub-systems of the earth. Finally, Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer (GOCE) satellite is the first satellite mission that observes gradient of the Earth gravity field from space. Integrated satellite gravity data have been used to delineate the tectonic settings and the neo-tectonics of the Arabian Peninsula. Results show important zones of mass discontinuity in this region correlated with the seismological activities and temporal gravity variation. The current study indicates that satellite gravity data is a valuable source of data in understanding the geodynamical behavior of the studied region.KeywordsArabian Peninsula tectonicsSatellite altimeterSatellite gravity