article · Scientific Reports
Combining potential field and structural data enables the mapping of surface and subsurface large-scale structures across the Egyptian Nubian Shield. The Northern Eastern Desert is dominated by east-west and north-east to south-west extensional structures linked to the Cadomian Arc, with fracture density increasing with depth. In the Central Eastern Desert, north-west to south-east and west-north-west to east-south-east trends prevail under the influence of the Najd Fault System, cross-cut by younger shearing. The South Eastern Desert displays compressional and extrusion structures aligned west-north-west to north-west in the west, and north to north-east in the east. These Neoproterozoic features are influenced near the rift shoulder by Oligocene to Miocene Red Sea and Gulf of Suez rifting. Younger extensional structures conceal older formations, reflecting northward progressive deformation. Gravity data proved more effective than magnetic data for tracing these structures.
Mapping large-scale crustal structures clarifies how continental landmasses assemble, deform, and break apart over geological epochs. Delineating deep-seated fault networks and establishing where gravity surveys outperform magnetic methods provides geoscientists with a clearer framework for interpreting regional tectonic history, studying continental rifting, and accurately mapping complex basement geology beneath surface features.
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Integration of potential field- and structural data make it possible to trace surface and subsurface large-scale geological structures of the Egyptian Nubian Shield (ENS). Obtained results indicate that the Northern Eastern Desert (NED) of the ENS is dominated by relatively younger (c. 580 Ma) E-W and NE-SW trending extensional structures that were controlled by the evolution and retreat of the Cadomian Arc. Density of such extensional structures increases with depth as displayed by the potential data. The prevailing structural trends in the Central Eastern Desert (CED) are NW-SE and WNW-ESE. Both trends are highly prompted by the timing of deformation upon the Najd Fault System, and are themselves dissected by a relatively younger NE-SW shearing trend. Lineament density in the CED is subordinate for both subsurface and near surface structures. The South Eastern Desert exhibits compressional and extrusion-related structures of two main prominent trends; WNW-to-NW (to the western part) and the N-, NNE- to NE (to the eastern part). The previously mentioned Neoproterozoic trends are remarkably influenced by the Oligocene-Miocene Red Sea-Gulf of Suez rift related fractures in the vicinity of the rift shoulder. The remarkable change in trends and densities of structural trends, especially in the NED, is interpreted in terms of concealing of the older structures by the younger extensional structures which in turns reflect an N-ward progressive deformation in the entire ENS. Gravity data are more appropriate in delineating the structural trends compared to the magnetic data which are largely affected by lithological variations and/or alteration zones and magnetic mineralogy.
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DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29008-x
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