Basement configuration and structural mapping using aeromagnetic data analysis of El Galala El Qibliya plateau area, Northeastern Desert, Egypt

Aeromagnetic data at El Galala El Qibliya Plateau area were processed and analysed to determine the basement depth and the structural trends that provided an understanding of the geological background for exploring hydrocarbons and mineral resources in the area. The magnetic data were interpreted qualitatively and quantitatively. Edge detection techniques (EDT) such as the analytic signal (AS), horizontal gradient magnitude (HGM), tilt derivative (TDR), centre for exploration targeting method (CET), and Euler deconvolution (ED) were used to locate the lineament structures within the investigated area. The depth of the magnetic sources was estimated using analytical signal (AS), source parameter imaging (SPI), and 2D modelling. The results show that the southeastern and the northeastern parts of the area are highly affected by lineament structures that might be related to faults/contacts which are mainly controlled by the NW-SE, NNW-SSE, and NE-SW trends. The AS depth result ranges from 225 to 3387 m while the SPI depth results range from 280 to 3703 m. more clear picture of the basement topography surface was obtained by the generation of two 2D models across the area. The obtained models show that the basement surface exhibits a depth varying from 50 to 3500 m with a horst and graben morphology of the basement surface. The overall results reveal that the study area is considered a promising area for mineral exploration and hydrocarbon resources, and further investigation studies should be considered for such a promising area.