"Structural study of the area southwest of Gebel Akheider, Cairo-Suez District, Egypt"

Abstract

Detailed field mapping (scale 1:20000) of the area located to the southwest of Gebel Akheider, central part of the Cairo-Suez district, was carried out. The area of study is about 210 square kilometers and it extends from latitudes 29º 38ˋ to 29º 45ˋ N and longitudes 31º 59ˋ to 32º 12ˋ 30ˋ E. The aim of this study is to focus on the structural evolution of the area and the relationship between the structural deformation and deposition of the Oligocene sediments. Thirty six faults affecting the study area exist in three main sets; NW-SE, E-W, and WNW-ESE. The strike-slip movement on deep-seated faults is responsible for development of the en echelon normal faults that are observed clearly in Cairo-Suez district. These faults have en echelon arrangement with similar throw directions (e.g. Wadi Esseimer, Wadi Al-Abraq and Wadi El-Shona en echelon normal faults) or opposite throw directions (e.g. Gebel Akheider horst and Wadi Esseimer and Wadi Akheider grabens). The en echelon faults in the area are considered parts of the southern two of E-W en echelon fault belts of Cairo-Suez district and are called; from north to south; Wadi Al-Abraq, Gebel Akheider en echelon belt and Wadi El-Shona and Wadi Ghoweiba en echelon belt. Existance of NW faults link between these E-W fault belts forming zigzag pattern. Relay ramps and linking transfer faults are the main fault-to-fault transfer zones that are recognized in the study area. Formation of en