Integrated aeromagnetic and remote sensing analysis for structural mapping in the El-Barramiya-Dungash region, Eastern Desert, Egypt

Abstract

The El-Barramiya-Dungash region in Egypt's Central Eastern Desert, is very rich in minerals and metals that has a significant part posting the economy of the country. This study integrates aeromagnetic data with textural analysis of ALOS PALSAR data to map structural features of the El-Barramiya-Dungash region. We apply some edge detecting techniques like the modified theta map (MTM), tilt angle of the horizontal gradient (TAHG), horizontal gradient of the second tilt derivative (HGSTDR), fast sigmoid detector (FS), enhanced horizontal gradient amplitude (EHGA), and balanced gradient amplitude (BHG) to aeromagnetic data to identify the underlying structures that are concealed beneath geological formations of the area. The findings show that all methods are able to give high resolution results, but utilizing the TAHG, FS, EHGA and BHG can avoid creating false edges. Four main tectonic trends including NNE-SSW, NE-SW, NW-SE, N-S and E-W are identified by analyzing the lineaments obtained from filtered aeromagnetic maps statistically. In addition, we also apply the Euler deconvolution (EUL) method to aeromagnetic anomalies of the area, where the results show that most magnetic structures are located between 123 and 850 m under the surface. Textural analysis, employing techniques such as Second Moment and Dissimilarity, effectively differentiated lithologies and delineated prominent structural trends, coinciding with aeromagnetic data findings. The findings also show that the determined lineaments according to Egypt's tectonic structure, correlate to the Gulf of Aqaba, Najd fault system, and Nubian trend (East African trend). These findings demonstrate the significant potential of the applied techniques for enhancing geological understanding and guiding future mineral exploration efforts.