Asmaa Elsayed Elaraby Ibrahim
Lecturer
Structural mapping and kinematic history of the Qena-Safaga Shear Zone (Egyptian Nubian Shield, East African Orogen)
Benha Journal of Applied Sciences • 2024
Publication Information
Authors
Asmaa.E.El-Araby1*,Wael.D. Hagag1, Samir.Z.Kamh2 and Zakaria.E.Hamimi
Keywords
Qena- Safaga Shear Zone, SRTM/PALSAR data, Shear zone-related structures, Dokhan Volcanics.
Journal
Benha Journal of Applied Sciences
Publisher
Not Available
Volume
Not Available
Issue
Not Available
Pages
Not Available
publication.type
Local
Paper Link
Not Available
Supplementary Materials
Not Available
Abstract
The Qena- Safaga Shear Zone (QSSZ) is a megashear belt separating the Northern- and the Central- Tectonic Provinces
of the Egyptian Nubian Shield (ENS). Processing of remotely sensed data of the Landsat-8, ASTER and Sentinel 2A,
accompanied by field/structural investigation made it possible to construct a plausible structural map for this high strain
zone. A wide variety of Neoproterozoic litho-units outcrop in the area, including ophiolitic mélange, syn- tectonic
granitoids, late- tectonic granitoids, Dokhan Volcanics and post- tectonic granitoids. Dike swarms traverse some of these
units. The automatic lineament extraction using SRTM and PALSAR images verified that the dominant structural trend is
the NE-SW. Other trends, comprising E-W (to ENE-WSW), NW-SE (to NNW-SSE) and N-S (to NNE-SSW) are also
recognized. The main structural elements documented in the area embrace foliations and lineations, faults and shear zones,
as well as shear zone-related structures (e.g. folds, duplexes and flower structures). The sense of movement along the
aforementioned shear trends can be detected by a wide variety of kinematic indicators include mylonite, boudinage structure
and deformed pebbles. The geological structures documented along the QSSZ indicate a brittle-ductile tectonic regime
accompanied with voluminous granitic intrusions of various composition. Such structural and tectonic setting advocates a
complex tectonic history characterized by extensional and transtensional tectonic regimes. The obtained results are
significantly contributed to our knowledge on the high strain shear belts in the ENS.
of the Egyptian Nubian Shield (ENS). Processing of remotely sensed data of the Landsat-8, ASTER and Sentinel 2A,
accompanied by field/structural investigation made it possible to construct a plausible structural map for this high strain
zone. A wide variety of Neoproterozoic litho-units outcrop in the area, including ophiolitic mélange, syn- tectonic
granitoids, late- tectonic granitoids, Dokhan Volcanics and post- tectonic granitoids. Dike swarms traverse some of these
units. The automatic lineament extraction using SRTM and PALSAR images verified that the dominant structural trend is
the NE-SW. Other trends, comprising E-W (to ENE-WSW), NW-SE (to NNW-SSE) and N-S (to NNE-SSW) are also
recognized. The main structural elements documented in the area embrace foliations and lineations, faults and shear zones,
as well as shear zone-related structures (e.g. folds, duplexes and flower structures). The sense of movement along the
aforementioned shear trends can be detected by a wide variety of kinematic indicators include mylonite, boudinage structure
and deformed pebbles. The geological structures documented along the QSSZ indicate a brittle-ductile tectonic regime
accompanied with voluminous granitic intrusions of various composition. Such structural and tectonic setting advocates a
complex tectonic history characterized by extensional and transtensional tectonic regimes. The obtained results are
significantly contributed to our knowledge on the high strain shear belts in the ENS.
