STUDY OF THE FAYOUM DEPRESSION BY USING REMOTE SENSING TECHNIQUES FOR SUSTINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

The scope of the study is to build up a geological data base for Al-Fayoum depression, using remote sensing and geographic information system, to give a suitable recommendations to support sustinable development. The study relied on available resources such as topographic, meteorological, remote sensing, geomorphological, lithological, and structural data. The area is characterized by arid climate, low rainfall and high evaporation. The lithostratigraphic sequence is composed of rock units, that belong to Middle and Upper Eocene, Oligocene, Lower Miocene, Pliocene and Pleistocene. The structural setting of Al-Fayoum area was divided into primary, non-diastorphic and diastorphic structures. The study includes the following aspects: a) Digitizing of the linear features and drainage system from photomosaics (scale 1:50,000) and Landsat TM images and recording their total numbers (T.N.) and total Jength (T.L.) then plotting them as curves and diagrams. B) Digitizing of topographic contour maps followed by rasterization of the topographic maps and obtaining Digital Elevation Model (DEM). The DEM was then processed to produce a slope map, an aspect map and a shadded relief map. Three Landsat TM images acquired in 1984 were used, rectified, mosaicked and then taking a subset of them which cover the study area. and c) Digitizing of quarry locations.