Geologic Contacts Research Articles

Uranium potentiality mapping of G-V occurrence at Gabal Gattar area, North Eastern Desert, Egypt, using GIS approach

Delineation and evaluation of mineral resources are major exploration parameters required for investment decisions. Identifying the best probable sites for uranium mineralization in terrains of lack subsurface penetrations is a challenging task. In northern part of Egyptian Eastern Desert, the uranium occurrences of Gabal Gattar area are among the most important source of uranium mineralization. Gattar-V (G-V) uranium occurrence considered as the most important uranium locality in the northern parts of Gabal Gattar area. The well-known uranium mineralization in this occurrence is restricted to the geological contact zone between the Hammamat sedimentary rocks and the G. Gattar Alkali feldspar granite. The lithological units and their alteration zones that are associated with the uranium mineralization and the ground spectrometric measurements data are identified and delineated throughout the field work of the geological investigation. In addition to the delineation of visible uranium mineralized zones, useful aid for the location of uranium promising zones is provided. Uranium potential (UP) mapping is a systematic tools that considers the main controlling factors which influence the localization of uranium mineralization within their host rocks. The present study aims to highlight, identify, model and map uranium promising zones in G-V uranium occurrence by using Geographic Information System (GIS) to construct multiple geological thematic maps such as different kind of alteration, contact zone, radiometric measurement and secondary zones of uranium mineralization. The constructed thematic maps of the different controlling factors of U-mineralization are assigned with a fixed score, weight, and calculated using a linear equation approach. Each weighted thematic map is statistically calculated to produce a uranium potential levels map of the investigated area. The uranium potential areas thus obtained were classified into four classes of potentiality (very high, high, moderate and low). The obtained an integrated uranium potential map of the investigated area will be a useful guide in the mining planning activity and create a good decision for better planning and management of uranium resource.

Entropy-Based Weighting in One-Dimensional Multiple Errors Analysis of Geological Contacts to Model Geological Structure

In each step of geological modeling, errors have an impact on measurements and workflow processes and, so, have consequences that challenge accurate three-dimensional geological modeling. In the context of classical error theory, for now, only spatial positional error is considered, acknowledging that temporal, attribute, and ontological errors—and many others—are part of the complete error budget. Existing methods usually assumed that a single error distribution (Gaussian) exists across all kinds of spatial data. Yet, across, and even within, different kinds of raw data (such as borehole logs, user-defined geological sections, and geological maps), different types of positional error distributions may exist. Most statistical methods make a priori assumptions about error distributions that impact their explanatory power. Consequently, analyzing errors in multi-source and conflated data for geological modeling remains a grand challenge in geological modeling. In this study, a novel approach is presented regarding the analysis of one-dimensional multiple errors in the raw data used for model geological structures. The analysis is based on the relationship between spatial error distributions and different geological attributes. By assuming that the contact points of a geological subsurface are decided by the geological attributes related to both sides of the subsurface, this assumption means that the spatial error of geological contacts can be transferred into specific probabilities of all the related geological attributes at each three-dimensional point, which is termed the “geological attribute probability”. Both a normal distribution and a continuous uniform distribution were transferred into geological attribute probabilities, allowing different kinds of spatial error distributions to be summed directly after the transformation. On cross-points with multiple raw data with errors that follow different kinds of distributions, an entropy-based weight was given to each type of data to calculate the final probabilities. The weighting value at each point in space is decided by the related geological attribute probabilities. In a test application that accounted for the best estimates of geological contacts, the experimental results showed the following: (1) for line segments, the band shape of geological attribute probabilities matched that of existing error models; and (2) the geological attribute probabilities directly show the error distribution and are an effective way of describing multiple error distributions among the input data.

Pilot Point Optimization of Mining Boundaries for Lateritic Metal Deposits: Finding the Trade-off Between Dilution and Ore Loss

Geological contacts in lateritic metal deposits (footwall topographies) often delineate the orebody boundaries. Spatial variations seen in such contacts are frequently higher than those for the metal grades of the deposit. Therefore, borehole spacing chosen based on the grade variations cannot adequately capture the geological contact variability. Consequently, models created using such boreholes cause high volumetric uncertainties in the actual and targeted ore extraction volumes, which, in turn, lead to high unplanned dilution and ore losses. In this paper, a method to design optimum ore/mining boundaries for lateritic metal deposits is presented. The proposed approach minimizes the dilution/ore losses and comprises two main steps. First, the uncertainty on the orebody boundary is represented using a set of stochastic realizations generated with a multiple-point statistics algorithm. Then, the optimal orebody boundary is determined using an optimization technique inspired by a model calibration method called Pilot Points. The pilot points represent synthetic elevation values, and they are used to construct smooth mining boundaries using the multilevel B-spline technique. The performance of a generated surface is evaluated using the expected sum of losses in each of the stochastic realizations. The simulated annealing algorithm is used to iteratively determine the pilot point values which minimize the expected losses. The results show a significant reduction in the dilution volume as compared to those obtained from the actual mining operation.

3D geological modelling of the Renard 2 kimberlite pipe, Québec, Canada: from exploration to extraction

The Renard 2 kimberlite pipe is one of nine diamondiferous kimberlite pipes that form a cluster in the south-eastern portion of the Superior Province, Quebec, Canada and is presently being extracted at the Renard Mine. It is interpreted as a diatreme-zone kimberlite consisting of two Kimberley-type pyroclastic units and related country rock breccias, all cross-cut by coherent kimberlite dykes and irregular intrusives. Renard 2 has been the subject of numerous diamond drilling campaigns since its discovery in 2001. The first two geological models modelled kimberlite and country rock breccia units separately. A change in modelling philosophy in 2009, which incorporated the emplacement envelope and history, modelled the entire intrusive event and projected the pipe shape to depth allowing for more targeted deep drilling where kimberlite had not yet been discovered. This targeted 2009 drilling resulted in a > 400% increase in the volume of the Indicated Resource. Modelling only the kimberlite units resulted in a significant underestimation of the pipe shape. Current open pit and underground mapping of the pipe shape corresponds well to the final 2015 geological model and contact changes observed are within the expected level of confidence for an Indicated Resource. This study demonstrates that a sound understanding of the geological emplacement is key to developing a reliable 3D geological and resource model that can be used for targeted delineation drilling, feasibility studies and during the initial stages of mining.

Geological Structures Mapping of Bukit Bunuh using 2-D Resistivity Imaging Method

The geological area of Bukit Bunuh is very complex due to the meteorite impact that has occurred millions years ago at Lenggong, Perak. The lithology of the study area consists of alluvium, tephra dust, and granitic rock. The geological contact, fault and fracture zone were found at the study area may indicate the geological process that undergoes at a place locally or regionally. These important features have led to the further research on 2-D resistivity imaging method (2-D RIM) to study the geological features. This method can provide the subsurface image that will delineate the geological structures. The surveys include three separate lines of different length which depend on the accessibility. The surveys were done by using Pole-Dipole array and 10 m of electrodes spacing. The objectives of this research are to determine the subsurface geological contact and to determine the existence of fault/fracture zones at the contact zone. The results from 2-D inversion profiles have successfully signified the types of geological structural such as fault, contact, and fractures. Hence, the results from 2-D RIM were used to draw the geological lineaments of Bukit Bunuh. The discontinuity of the lineaments may indicate the structures present.

Validation of gravity data from the geopotential field model for subsurface investigation of the Cameroon Volcanic Line (Western Africa)

Belonging to the Cameroon Volcanic Line (CVL), the western part of Cameroon is an active volcanic zone with volcanic eruptions and deadly gas emissions. The volcanic flows generally cover areas and bury structural features like faults. Terrestrial gravity surveys can hardly cover entirely this mountainous area due to difficult accessibility. The present work aims to evaluate gravity data derived from the geopotential field model, EGM2008 to investigate the subsurface of the CVL. The methodology involves upward continuation, horizontal gradient, maxima of horizontal gradient–upward continuation combination and Euler deconvolution techniques. The lineaments map inferred from this geopotential field model confirms several known lineaments and reveals new ones covered by lava flows. The known lineaments are interpreted as faults or geological contacts such as the Foumban fault and the Pan-African Belt–Congo craton contact. The lineaments highlighted coupled with the numerous maar lakes identified in this volcanic sector attest of the vulnerability of the CVL where special attention should be given for geohazard prevention.

Semi-automatic determination of dips and depths of geologic contacts from magnetic data with application to the Turi Fault System, Taranaki Basin, New Zealand

We show a simple and fast method for calculating geometric parameters of magnetic contacts from spatial gradients of magnetic field data. The method is based on well-established properties of the tangent of the tilt-angle of reduced-to-the-pole magnetic data, and extends the performance of existing methods by allowing direct estimation of depths, locations and dips of magnetic contacts. It uses a semi-automatic approach where the user interactively specifies points on magnetic maps where the calculation is to be performed. Some prior geologic knowledge and visual interpretation of magnetic anomalies is required to choose proper calculation points. We successfully tested the method on synthetic models of contacts at different depths and with different dip angles. We offer an example of the method applied to airborne magnetic data from Taranaki Basin located offshore the North Island of New Zealand.

Local seismicity alterations in the South Yakutia mining region due to the technogenic impact on its geological environment

Impulse loads, arising due to the high natural seismicity of the South Yakutia region, exercise both direct and indirect effects on the upper part of the Earth's crust during industrial explosions. The direct effects result from nonlinear displacements caused by the blast wave and the subsequent formation of new disturbances. The indirect effects arise due to the activation of structural elements along geological contacts, leading to the emergence of technogenic seismicity foci. The foci of induced seismicity are either confined to the blast points, or located along the tectonic structures crossing quarry fields. The technogenic impact on the geological environment transforms the independent local seismic process, since explosions trigger a chain of local seismic events. The near-surface layers of the Earth's crust become activated in the area of dynamic influence of active faults. Under the influence of explosions, both the number of seismic events and the average level of released energy alter. Impulse loads on the geological environment lead to a spatial redistribution of the foci of low-energy (K <7) earthquakes. The main form of the geodynamic development of seismogenic faults is the movement of their sides in the form of mutual “slippage”. Seismic events are manifested only when the aforementioned form of deformation is impossible or difficult to develop, in other words, when the stress-state areas of the Earth's crust develop. Therefore, the shaking impact of blasts can be considered as a factor contributing to the predominance of aseismic forms of fault motion in the form of smooth slippage of their sides. In conclusion, the impact of industrial blasts can not only activate faults around the mining area, but also have an unloading effect on the foci of seismic hazard forming in the interior, i.e. the redistribution of earthquake energy in terms of reducing earthquake energy class.

Off-fault deformation rate along the southern San Andreas fault at Mecca Hills, southern California, inferred from landscape modeling of curved drainages

Quantifying off-fault deformation (OFD) rates on geomorphic timescales (10^2-10^5 yr) along strike-slip faults is critical for resolving discrepancies between geologic and geodetic slip-rate estimates, improving knowledge of seismic hazard, and understanding the influence of tectonic motion on landscapes. Quantifying OFD over these timescales is challenging without displacement markers such as offset terraces or geologic contacts. We present a landscape evolution model coupled with distributed lateral tectonic shear to show how drainage basins sheared by lateral tectonic motion can reveal OFD rates. The model shows that OFD rate can control the orientation of drainage basin topography: the faster the OFD rate, the greater the deflection of drainage basins towards a fault-parallel orientation. We apply the model to the southern San Andreas Fault near the Mecca Hills, where drainages basins change in orientation with proximity to the fault. Comparison of observed and modeled topography suggests that the OFD rate in the Mecca Hills follows an exponential-like spatial pattern with a maximum rate nearest the fault of 3.5 ± 1.5 mm/yr, which decays to approximately zero at ~600 m distance from the fault. This rate is applicable since the initiation of differential rock uplift in the Mecca Hills at approximately 760 ka. Our results suggest that OFD in this 800 m study area may be as high as 10% of total plate motion. This example demonstrates that curved drainage basins may be used to estimate OFD rates along strike slip faults.

Protracted deformation during cooling of the Paleoproterozoic arc system as constrained by 40Ar/39Ar ages of muscovite from brittle faults: the Transamazonan Bacajá Terrane, Brazil

ABSTRACT: In the Paleoproterozoic Transamazonas Province, synkinematic granitogenesis has taken place synchronously with compressive tectonic stress. The synkinematic character of the granites is marked by their WNW elongate shape, and by the presence of pervasive and concordant synmagmatic foliation. Ductile shear zones are concordant to the previous regional WNW structures, and tend to be accommodated along contacts between Rhyacian synkinematic granitoids and both Archean orthogneisses and Siderian metabasites. Locally phyllonitic shear zones and brittle-ductile shear zones with cataclasites are oriented subparallel to the preexisting ductile foliation. Late orogenic brittle faults N30E-trending strike-slip faults are either sinistral or destral. 40Ar/39Ar dating of muscovite developed on fault planes gave ages of 1977 ± 8 Ma and 1968 ± 11 Ma. Structural and geochronological data from rocks of the Transamazonas Province permit to conclude that most mylonites and brittle structures were controlled by preexisting structures such as geological contacts and petrographic facies boundaries. Compressive tectonic stress would have initiated at ca. 2100 Ma, since the former magmatic arc (Bacajaí complex), still present at 2070 Ma when syntectonic granites were emplaced and remained until 1975 Ma after granite plutonism and regional cooling.

Geological modeling by an indicator kriging approach applied to a limestone deposit in Indiara city - Goiás

Abstract The mineral exploration activity consists of a set of successive stages that are interdependent on each other, in which the main goal is to discover and subsequently evaluate a mineral deposit for the feasibility of its extraction. This process involves setting the shape, dimensions and grades for eventual production. Geological modeling determines the orebody's possible format in subsoil, which can be done by two approaches: vertical sections (deterministic methods) or geostatistical methods. The latter approach is currently being preferred, as it is a more accurate alternative and therefore, more reliable for establishing the physical format of orebodies, especially in instances where geologic boundaries are soft and/or with widely spaced sample information. This study uses the concept of indicator kriging (IK) to model the geologic boundaries of a limestone deposit located at Indiara city, Goias State, Brazil. In general, the results indicated a good adherence in relation to samples. However, there are reasonable differences, particularly in lithological domains with a small number of samples in relation to the total amount sampled. Therefore, the results showed that there is a need for additional sampling to better delineate the geological contacts, especially between carbonate and non-carbonate rocks. Uncertainty maps confirmed this necessity and also indicated potential sites for future sampling; information that would not be obtained by usage of deterministic methods.

Practical considerations in the use of edge detectors for geologic mapping using magnetic data

Locating the edges of magnetized sources provides a fundamental tool in the geologic interpretation of magnetic field data. Much recent effort has been expended on developing improvements to existing edge-detection methods, resulting in purported increases in accuracy and continuity along edges, reduction of noise effects, and limiting the influences of variable depth to source, magnetization direction, and source dip. These endeavors are valuable and provide interpreters with a wider range of tools to carry out geologic interpretations of aeromagnetic data. Nevertheless, survey parameters such as flight height and line spacing impose limits on the quality of edge locations that can be achieved. Using model studies, we quantify the effects that source size, depth, and interference between sources have on calculated edge locations. Based on the known behavior of established edge detectors, we found that many of the newer approaches offer limited advantages over older methods. Consequently, we studied an example of field mapping of geologic contacts in the Canadian Shield, supported by aeromagnetic data, using calculation of a standard edge detector: the horizontal gradient magnitude of the total magnetic field or TF-hgm. Calculated edge locations estimated from this method appear sufficiently accurate and continuous to provide a solid basis on which the mapping campaign was based and executed successfully.

Interferometric seismic imaging around the active Lalor mine in the Flin Flon greenstone belt, Canada

Seismic interferometry, which recovers the impulse response of the Earth by cross-correlation of ambient noise recorded at sets of two receivers, has found several applications, including the generation of virtual shot gathers for use in seismic reflection processing. To evaluate the effectiveness of this passive recording technique in mineral exploration in a hard-rock environment, 336 receivers recorded 300h of ambient noise over the volcanogenic massive sulphide deposit of the recently discovered Lalor mine in the Canadian Flin Flon greenstone belt. A novel time-domain beamforming algorithm was developed to search for individual source locations, demonstrating that the vast majority of noise originated from the mine and ventilation shafts of the Lalor mine. The results of the beamforming were utilized in conjunction with frequency-wavenumber filtering to remove undesirable, mostly monochromatic surface wave noise originating from nearby sources. Virtual shot gathers were generated along three receiver lines, each of which was processed as a separate 2-D reflection line. Two of the resulting unmigrated reflection profiles are compared against coincident dipmoveout-stacked data from a larger, coincident 3-D dynamite seismic survey that was also acquired over the Lalor mine in 2013. Using knowledge of the local geology derived from numerous boreholes, coherent events recovered in the passive reflection profiles are inferred to be either spurious arrivals or real reflections, some of which can be interpreted in terms of geological contacts, indicating the future potential of passive recording surveys in hard rock settings.

Application of 2-D Resistivity Imaging and Seismic Refraction Method in Identifying the Structural Geological Contact of Sedimentary Lithologies

The interest of this study was to prove the existence of geological contact to field models with presences of outcrops as references. The physical relief of the outcrops can be determined by geological events of faulting, fracture, and folding. Geological contact plays important roles in environmental studies. 2-D resistivity imaging is the best method used for identifying the geological structures of study area located in Guar Jentik, Perlis and Bukit Kukus, Kedah. Besides that, seismic refraction method also applied at the study area. Results from both methods were integrated to get data correlation. There is good correlation produced which have successfully proved the existence of the faults and contact zones in study areas. Resistivity result shows that first study area has two main zones, red mudstone with resistivity value of 1 Ωm – 100 Ωm, sandstone with resistivity value of 2000 Ωm – 9000 Ωm, and Seismic refraction has provided the result on velocity of each zone, mudstone zone is 200 m/s -1800 m/s and sandstone zone is >2000 m/s. The geological contact of fault is determined between the red mudstone zone and sandstone zone. In the second study area, the fracture was found within chert zone and contact zone is located between the chert zone and mudstone zone. In addition, the fold is found to form in the chert zone. Mudstone zone has resistivity value of 1 Ωm – 1500 m/s and chert zone has resistivity value of 2600 Ωm – 35000 Ωm. The first layer of the seismic section is consisting of mudstone with a velocity of <800 m/s and the velocity obtained for the second layer was generally >1200 m/s is interpreted as chert zones.

A Comparative Study on Computing Horizontal Derivatives of Gravity Data for Geological Contact Mapping

Computations of x- and y-components of the horizontal derivatives (gradients) from an anomaly grid (with x- and y-axes directed east and north, respectively) still take an important place in potential field data-processing techniques. These techniques may successfully bring out some significant subtle details that are masked in the anomaly maps. Particularly abrupt lateral changes in densities and magnetizations effectively aid geological mapping and these changes may be traced by some derivative-based techniques without specifying any prior information about the nature of the potential field source bodies. Hence derivative-based techniques are regularly used in the visual interpretation of potential field anomalies. It is well known that computation of horizontal derivatives can be performed through either fast Fourier transform (i.e. in wave number domain) or simple finite-difference equations (i.e. in space domain) to outline the geological source boundaries (edges). Numerous studies including the use of either one have been recorded in the literature so far. In this study, comprehensive comparisons of the solutions obtained from those techniques have been made using both synthetically produced and real gravity data sets. Synthetic applications have been performed using both noise-free and noisy gravity data sets for two different depth-to-source scenarios. Thus not only the signal-to-noise ratios but also the depth-to-source conditions have been analyzed to test the performance of those approaches. Additionally, a real data experiment has been achieved using regional Bouguer gravity anomalies from a portion of a well-known geological setting, the Aegean Graben System (Western Anatolia, Turkey).

Automatic mapping of the base of aquifer — A case study from Morrill, Nebraska

When a geologist sets up a geologic model, various types of disparate information may be available, such as exposures, boreholes, and (or) geophysical data. In recent years, the amount of geophysical data available has been increasing, a trend that is only expected to continue. It is nontrivial (and often, in practice, impossible) for the geologist to take all the details of the geophysical data into account when setting up a geologic model. We have developed an approach that allows for the objective quantification of information from geophysical data and borehole observations in a way that is easy to integrate in the geologic modeling process. This will allow the geologist to make a geologic interpretation that is consistent with the geophysical information at hand. We have determined that automated interpretation of geologic layer boundaries using information from boreholes and geophysical data alone can provide a good geologic layer model, even before manual interpretation has begun. The workflow is implemented on a set of boreholes and airborne electromagnetic (AEM) data from Morrill, Nebraska. From the borehole logs, information about the depth to the base of aquifer (BOA) is extracted and used together with the AEM data to map a surface that represents this geologic contact. Finally, a comparison between our automated approach and a previous manual mapping of the BOA in the region validates the quality of the proposed method and suggests that this workflow will allow a much faster and objective geologic modeling process that is consistent with the available data.

High-Resolution Physical Properties, Geochemistry, and Alteration Mineralogy for the Host Rocks of the Archean Lemoine Auriferous Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide Deposit, Canada

Multiparameter data on drill cores have a range of useful applications for ore deposit modeling and mineral exploration. Density, magnetic susceptibility, eight major elements, seven trace elements (portable X-ray fluorescence [pXRF]), five mineral groups (near-infrared spectrometry), and average visible light reflectance were determined on rock cores from several drill holes. These are located near the Archean Lemoine auriferous volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposit in the Chibougamau mining district, Abitibi subprovince, Quebec, Canada. This case study focuses on one particular drill hole that has been recently characterized in detail by conventional methods (laboratory geochemistry, petrography, and stable isotopes); this provides validation for the multisensor dataset. The best variables and immobile element ratios to distinguish between different lithological units in the multiparameter data are density, magnetic susceptibility, Ti/Zr, Al/Zr, and Zr/Y. Downhole profiles of these parameters allow the four different felsic units in LEM-37, many of which are visually similar, to be distinguished, and geologic contacts to be positioned precisely. Such methods would be even more useful in environments where recognition of primary characteristics is strongly hampered by intense hydrothermal alteration and superimposed deformation or metamorphism. Volcanic and intrusive rocks can be placed on classic diagrams to assign them names and magmatic affinities based on the corrected pXRF data. Downhole profiles of major and trace elements, combined with infrared mineralogy, allow hydrothermal alteration to be characterized, yielding results comparable to those of conventional techniques for the same drill hole, but with a much tighter spacing and within potentially shorter time frames.

A 3D geological model for the Ruiz-Tolima Volcanic Massif (Colombia): Assessment of geological uncertainty using a stochastic approach based on Bézier curve design

The Ruiz-Tolima Volcanic Massif (RTVM) is an active volcanic complex in the Northern Andes, and understanding its geological structure is critical for hazard mitigation and guiding future geothermal exploration. However, the sparsity of data available to constrain the interpretation of this volcanic system hinders the application of standard 3D modelling techniques. Furthermore, some features related to the volcanic system are not entirely understood, such as the connectivity between the plutons present in its basement (i.e. Manizales Stock, El Bosque Batholith). We have developed a methodology where two independent working hypotheses were formulated and modelled independently (i.e. a case where both plutons constitute distinct bodies, and an alternative case where they form one single batholith). A Monte Carlo approach was used to characterise the geological uncertainty in each case. Bézier curve design was used to represent geological contacts on input cross sections. Systematic variations in the control points of these curves allows us to generate multiple realisations of geological interfaces, resulting in stochastic models that were grouped into suites used to apply quantitative estimators of uncertainty. This process results in a geological representation based on fuzzy logic and in maps of model uncertainty distribution. The results are consistent with expected regions of high uncertainty near under-constrained geological contacts, while the non-unique nature of the conceptual model indicates that the dominant source of uncertainty in the area is the nature of the batholith structure.

Geology of the Victoria quadrangle (H02), Mercury

ABSTRACTMercury’s quadrangle H02 ‘Victoria’ is located in the planet’s northern hemisphere and lies between latitudes 22.5° N and 65° N, and between longitudes 270° E and 360° E. This quadrangle covers 6.5% of the planet’s surface with a total area of almost 5 million km2. Our 1:3,000,000-scale geologic map of the quadrangle was produced by photo-interpretation of remotely sensed orbital images captured by the MESSENGER spacecraft. Geologic contacts were drawn between 1:300,000 and 1:600,000 mapping scale and constitute the boundaries of intercrater, intermediate and smooth plains units; in addition, three morpho-stratigraphic classes of craters larger than 20 km were mapped. The geologic map reveals that this area is dominated by Intercrater Plains encompassing some almost-coeval, probably younger, Intermediate Plains patches and interrupted to the north-west, north-east and east by the Calorian Northern Smooth Plains. This map represents the first complete geologic survey of the Victoria quadrangle at this scale, and an improvement of the existing 1:5,000,000 Mariner 10-based map, which covers only 36% of the quadrangle.

Subsurface faults detection based on magnetic anomalies investigation: A field example at Taba protectorate, South Sinai

Quantitative interpretation of the magnetic data particularly in a complex dissected structure necessitates using of filtering techniques. In Taba protectorate, Sinai synthesis of different filtering algorithms was carried out to distinct and verifies the subsurface structure and estimates the depth of the causative magnetic sources. In order to separate the shallow-seated structure, filters of the vertical derivatives (VDR), Butterworth high-pass (BWHP), analytic signal (AS) amplitude, and total horizontal derivative of the tilt derivative (TDR_THDR) were conducted. While, filters of the apparent susceptibility and Butterworth low-pass (BWLP) were conducted to identify the deep-seated structure. The depths of the geological contacts and faults were calculated by the 3D Euler deconvolution.Noteworthy, TDR_THDR was independent of geomagnetic inclination, significantly less susceptible to noise, and more sensitive to the details of the shallow superimposed structures. Whereas, the BWLP proved high resolution capabilities in attenuating the shorter wavelength of the near surface anomalies and emphasizing the longer wavelength derived from deeper causative structure. 3D Euler deconvolution (SI=0) was quite amenable to estimate the depths of superimposed subsurface structure. The pattern, location, and trend of the deduced shallow and deep faults were conformed remarkably to the addressed fault system.