Pliocene–Pleistocene stratigraphy and macrofauna of the Farasan Islands, South East Red Sea, Saudi Arabia

The stratigraphy of the Farasan Islands (Pliocene?CPleistocene deposits) is established on the basis of a detailed study of six stratigraphic sections described and sampled in the field. Detailed examinations involve the microfacies analyses and identification of macrofossils makes it possible to determine two new informal formations, namely, from the base to the top: Esbah formation of Pliocene age and Farasan formation of Pleistocene age. The detected microfacies types of the studied samples are only carbonate facies and include five major types: mudstone, wackestone, packstone, floatstone and boundstone. No grains of quartz sand or igneous mineral were found in the islands. The nomenclature of the biostratigraphic units established in the present work is not intended to define world-wide zonal standards. It is only used to subdivide the sequence into biostratigraphic zones according to 137 macrofaunal species (78 bivalves, 56 gastropods and three echinoids). These biozones, namely: Lithophaga teres zone (Early Pliocene), Clypeaster reticulates?CLaganum depressum zone and Chesapecten madisonius?CNoetia limula interval zone are assigned to the Late Pliocene; meanwhile, Noetia limuli?CAnadara ovalis interval zone and A. ovalis range zone are assigned to the Pleistocene age. The affinity of the Pliocene?CPleistocene fauna recorded from the Farasan Islands increase with time towards the Indo-Pacific realm. The identified bivalves and gastropods are dominated by the Indo-Pacific forms suggesting the connection of the Red Sea rift with the open Indian Ocean via the Gulf of Aden and Bab El Mandab in the latest Miocene and Early Pliocene.     

A new evaluation of seismic hazard for the northwestern part of Saudi Arabia

Natural Hazards - A new evaluation of seismic hazard in the northwestern part of Saudi Arabia area has been carried out, for the minimization and mitigation of earthquake losses. The study area...     

Influence of Degree of Saturation in the Electric Resistivity–Hydraulic Conductivity Relationship

The relationship between aquifer hydraulic conductivity and aquifer resistivity, either measured on the ground surface by vertical electrical sounding (VES) or from resistivity logs, or measured in core samples have been published for different types of aquifers in different locations. Generally, these relationships are empirical and semi-empirical, and confined in few locations. This relation has a positive correlation in some studies and negative in others. So far, there is no potentially physical law controlling this relation, which is not completely understood. Electric current follows the path of least resistance, as does water. Within and around pores, the model of conduction of electricity is ionic and thus the resistivity of the medium is controlled more by porosity and water conductivity than by the resistivity of the rock matrix. Thus, at the pore level, the electrical path is similar to the hydraulic path and the resistivity should reflect hydraulic conductivity. We tried in this paper to study the effect of degree of groundwater saturation in the relation between hydraulic conductivity and bulk resistivity via a simple numerical analysis of Archie’s second law and a simplified Kozeny-Carmen equation. The study reached three characteristic non-linear relations between hydraulic conductivity and resistivity depending on the degree of saturation. These relations are: (1) An inverse power relation in fully saturated aquifers and when porosity equals water saturation, (2) An inverse polynomial relation in unsaturated aquifers, when water saturation is higher than 50%, higher than porosity, and (3) A direct polynomial relation in poorly saturated aquifers, when water saturation is lower than 50%, lower than porosity. These results are supported by some field scale relationships.     

Estimating Model Parameters from Self-Potential Anomaly of 2D Inclined Sheet Using Whale Optimization Algorithm: Applications to Mineral Exploration and Tracing Shear Zones

The use of spontaneous potential (SP) anomalies is well known in the geophysical literatures because of its effectiveness and significance in solving many complex problems in mineral exploration. The inverse problem of self-potential data interpretation is generally ill-posed and nonlinear. Methods based on derivative analysis usually fail to reach the optimal solution (global minimum) and trapped in a local minimum. A new simple heuristic solution to SP anomalies due to 2D inclined sheet of infinite horizontal length is investigated in this study to solve these problems. This method is based on utilizing whale optimization algorithm (WOA) as an effective heuristic solution to the inverse problem of self-potential field due to a 2D inclined sheet. In this context, the WOA was applied first to synthetic example, where the effect of the random noise was examined and the method revealed good results using proper MATLAB code. The technique was then applied on several real field profiles from different localities aiming to determine the parameters of mineralized zones or the associated shear zones. The inversion parameters revealed that WOA detected accurately the unknown parameters and showed a good validation when compared with the published inversion methods.

     

Fault zone hydrogeology in arid environments: The origin of cold springs in the Wadi Araba Basin,Egypt

The role of faults in controlling groundwater flow in the Sahara and most of the hyper-arid deserts is poorly understood due to scarcity of hydrological data. The Wadi Araba Basin (WAB), in the Eastern Sahara, is highly affected by folds and faults associated with Senonian tectonics and Paleogene rifting. Using the WAB as a test site, satellite imagery, aeromagnetic maps, field observations, isotopic and geochemical data were examined to unravel the structural control on groundwater flow dynamics in the Sahara. Analysis of satellite imagery indicated that springs occur along structurally controlled scarps. Isotopic data suggested that cold springs in the WAB showed a striking similarity with the Sinai Nubian aquifer system (NAS) water and the thermal springs along the Gulf of Suez (e.g., δ¹⁸O = −8.01‰ to −5.24‰ and δD = −53.09‰ to −31.12‰) demonstrating similar recharge sources. The findings advocated that cold springs in the WAB represent a natural discharge from a previously undefined aquifer in the Eastern Desert of Egypt rather than infiltrated precipitation over the plateaus surrounding the WAB or through hydrologic windows from deep crystalline basement flow. A complex role of the geological structures was inferred including: (1) channelling of the groundwater flow along low-angle faults, (2) compartmentalization of the groundwater flow upslope from high-angle faults, and (3) reduction of the depth to the main aquifer in a breached anticline setting, which resulted in cold spring discharge temperatures (13–22°C). Our findings emphasize on the complex role of faults and folds in controlling groundwater flow, which should be taken into consideration in future examination of aquifer response to climate variability in the Sahara and similar deserts worldwide.     

Modeling of the radial and transverse components of the albedo function

In this work, we shall confine ourselves to solve analytically the integrals called , for the two components of albedo radiation pressure on an Earth’s satellite. When the Earth’s albedo is variable, as far as we know, this case has not been dealt with analytically. We shall solve these two integrals when the satellite’ horizon is illuminated and when the sun lies on the equator. This approach will facilitate the evaluation of the mentioned two equations. We will also compare our results with previous works obtained numerically.     

Alteration Patterns Related to Hydrothermal Gold Mineralizaition in Meta-andesites at Dungash Area, Eastern Desert, Egypt

Abstract: The hydrothermal alteration patterns associating with the gold prospect hosted by metavolcanics in the Dungash area, Eastern Desert of Egypt, were investigated in order to assign their relationship to mineralization. The metavolcanics of andesitic composition are generated by regional metamorphism of greenschist facies superimposed by hydrothermal activity. Epidote and chlorite are metamorphic minerals, whereas sericite, carbonates, and chlorite are hydrothermal alteration minerals. The auriferous quartz vein is of NEE‐SWW trend and cuts mainly the andesitic metavolcanics, but sometimes extends to the neighbouring metapyroclastics and metasediments. Quartz‐sericite, sericite, carbonate‐sericite, and chlorite‐sericite constitute four distinctive alteration zones which extend outwards from the mineralized quartz vein. The quartz‐sericite and sericite zones are characterized by high contents of SiO₂, K₂O, Rb, and As, the carbonate‐sericite zone is by high contents of CaO, Au, Cu, Cr, Ni, and Y, and the chlorite‐sericite zone is by high contents of MgO, Na₂O, Zn, Ba, and Co. Gold and sulphide minerals are relatively more abundant in the carbonate‐sericite zone followed by the sericite one. The geochemistry of the alteration system was investigated using volume‐composition and mass balance calculations. The volume factors obtained for the different alteration zones, mentioned above (being 1.64, 1.19, 1.17, and 1.07, respectively), indicate that replacement had taken place with a volume gain. The mass balance calculations revealed addition of SiO₂, K₂O, As, Cu, Rb, Ba, Ni, and Y to the system as a whole and subtraction of Fe2O3 from the system. Initial high aK+ and aH+ for the invading fluids is suggested. As the fluids migrated into wallrocks, they became more concentrated in Mg, Ca, and Na with increasing activities of CO₂ and S. The calculated loss‐gain data are in agreement with the microscopic observations. Breakdown of ferromagnesian minerals and feldspars in the quartz‐sericite, sericite, and chlorite‐sericite zones accompanied by loss in Mg, Fe, Ca, and Na under acidic conditions and low CO2/H2O ratio may obstruct the formation of carbonates and sulphides, and the precipitation of gold in these zones. The role of metamorphic fluids in the area is expected to be restricted to the liberation of Au and some associated elements from their hosts.     

The catastrophic cyclone of April 1991: Its Impact on the economy of Bangladesh

A very severe cyclonic storm with wind speeds of over 240 km/h struck the coastal areas of Bangladesh in the full moon night of 29 April 1991. The path of the eye, close to the shore, raised a storm surge of unusual height, reportedly more than 9 m above the mean sea level, which devastated the offshore islands and the mainland coast. The damage to the physical infrastructure of the port of Chittagong and adjoining industrial area has been colossal, and recovery will take years. Death tolls from the cyclone, storm surge and its aftermath exceeded 145 000 making it one of the world's major natural disasters of this century.This paper is concerned with examining the magnitude and intensity of the disaster. It analyses how the people of Bangladesh, and the environment in which they live, were affected by the cyclone. A brief account is presented of loss of life and of the damage suffered in various sectors, including agriculture, industry, and physical infrastructure.The paper lays emphasis on the need of building a sufficient number of multipurpose cyclone shelters in the disaster-prone coastal areas of Bangladesh. Adequate measures should be taken for evacuating people from vulnerable areas and putting them into these shelters in the event of a cyclonic storm. Simplification of the current cyclone warning system is recommended.The difficulties of providing relief to the survivors are discussed. And finally, the need for improvement of the communication infrastructure in the coastal areas is highlighted.     

Structures and microstructures related to steady-state mantle flow in the Neyriz ophiolite, Iran

Structural analysis in the well-exposed and well-preserved Neyriz ophiolite suggests that it is a relatively undisturbed piece of oceanic lithosphere. Detailed structural mapping of high-T deformation mantle flow revealed the presence of three elliptical shaped diapirs trending NW–SE. These diapirs are characterized by vertical mantle foliations associated with vertical plunging stretching lineations, which progressively incline toward parallelism with the gently NE-dipping Moho. The NW–SE direction of asthenospheric upwelling of diapirs is parallel with the orientations of the vertical sheeted dike complex. This suggests that the Neyriz ophiolite was created by two NW–SE palaeo-ridge axes. These palaeo-ridges are classified as fast-spreading ridges. These ridges are segmented by a dextral palaeo-transform fracture zone. This is consistent with fast-spreading ridges. Comparison between the Neyriz and Oman ophiolites reveals that they show similar characteristics. Most of the Oman palaeo-ridge systems are oriented NW–SE and NNW–SE. They also display similar sheeted dike complex orientations and crustal thickness variations. These two ophiolites originally were part of the Neo-Tethyan oceanic lithosphere and afterwards were separated by the Oman line during continental collision of the Iranian micro-continent and Afro-Arabian continent.     

Changes in the mullet fishery of Lake Manzala,Egypt

Growth rates of the main mullet species (Liza ramada andMugil cephalus) in Lake Manzala are low compared to those in other Egyptian lakes. But average growth rates during the period 1989–1993 were relatively faster than in the 1960's. Spawning and migration seasons have been determined for every species, and their distribution in the lake, in terms of certain ecological parameters (salinity, turbidity and dissolved oxygen) have been investigated. Changes in the mullet fishery in the lake during the past 70 years have been studied. Due to an increase in nutrient loading and a decrease in salinity, mullet declined from 65 per cent of the total catch during the 1920's to only 2.2 per cent during the early 1980's. As a result of fisheries management and development programmes from 1989 to 1993, mullet production increased to 9.2 per cent of the total catch.