The geometric configuration of the newly discovered Abu Deleig sedimentary sub-basin,Central Sudan,using remote sensing,structural analysis,and geophysical survey

Abu Deleig area is a transitional area between the Butana basement terrain to the east; and the Khartoum and Shendi sedimentary basins to the west and northwest directions, respectively. The existence of sedimentary basins within this region of Sudan was previously unknown. Landsat images have been used for delineation of lineaments and drainage system, followed by a structural analysis and geophysical investigations including gravity and resistivity methods. The interpretation of the remotely sensed data revealed that the drainage pattern is structurally controlled. The structural analysis defined the trends of the shear and tensional fractures. The structural analysis revealed that Wadi Al Hawad is the southern continuation of the Keraf Shear Zone. The related minor fractures in a NE–SW direction exhibit normal faults governing the geometry of the Abu Deleig sub-basin. The geophysical investigations confirmed the findings of structural analysis and portrayed the subsurface geometry of the sub-basin. The newly discovered sub-basin has a prism-like shape with its apex occurring at Abu Deleig town and extends to 40 km in NW direction. The depth to the basement increases from 20 m at Abu Deleig in step form to more than 300 m, where it is linked with the Shendi Basin in the northwestern part. The results of this study, however, did not confirm any link of Abu Deleig sub-basin with Atbara Basin to the NE or Khartoum Basin to the west as have been previously suggested.