GEOPHYSICAL STUDIES ON THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS TO THE GROUNDWATER POTENTIALITIES IN THE AREA BETWEEN EL-HASSANA AND NEKHL AND ITS VICINITIES, CENTRAL SINAI

Abstract

The growing activities in North and Central Sinai provinces have caused an ever-increasing need for wate!" resources. The development of the hydrogeologic potential of this area requires an understanding of geologic structure, stratigraphy, and lithologic properties of aquifers for groundwater production. Therefore, intensive prospecting for groundwater is a basic requirement to make this important element of development available. The geophysical exploration is the most suitable technique to achieve such an objective.

The study area lies in the central part of Sinai Peninsula between Nekhl and El Hassana. It lies between Latitudes 29 45' and 30 45'N and Longitudes 33 40'and 33 50'E. The area is accessible from El-Arish- El Hassana road (80 km) and from Suez- El Hassana road (200 km).

The present study deals with the application of different geophysical exploration techniques (the deep reflection seismic, the geoelectrical resistivity and shallow refraction seismic) with the main objective of investigating the impact of the geologic structural elements on the groundwater occurrences in the study area.

Based on the previous studies, a brief account has been given about the geomorphology, geology and hydrogeology of central Sinai. This background furnished basic information to facilitate the interpretation of the geophysical data.