Contribution of Gravity and Magnetic Data in Delineating the Subsurface Structure of Hammam Faroun Area, Gulf of Suez

Hammam Faroun area has a particular importance due to its geothermal activity which constitutes the main geothermal resource in Egypt. The area is a part of Sinai Peninsula which considered as sub plate bounded by two seismic active zones (Gulf of Suez and Gulf of Aqaba). Sinai Peninsula, including our study area, is covered by high resolution ground gravity and magnetic survey (by the Egyptian Geological Survey and Mining Authority) in order to be used for mineral, geothermal, and hydrocarbon exploration. In the present study, the gravity and magnetic data were analyzed using new and recent techniques; e.g. Source Edge Detection (SED), to image the subsurface structure which in general controlled the mineral, geothermal, and hydrocarbon exploration. The results of the analysis indicated that the area is dissected by a set of faults trending in the NW direction, parallel to the Gulf of Suez. Additionally, several trends perpendicular to the NW direction can be recognized which could be utilized as a proof for the Gulf of Suez rift. The analysis of the potential field data highly contributed for imaging the subsurface structures of Hammam Faroun area and led to the fact that the area is structurally complex.