Structure of the Northeastern plateau of the Bahariya oasis, Western desert, Egypt

Abstract

The structural studies of the northeastern plateau concern two fold axes trending NE-SW. The first fold axis runs through the ElHarra and ElGedida areas. The second fold axis runs through the Gebel Ghorabi and Dumbell's Hill areas. Between these two fold axes lies the plunge of the northeast anticline (Ghorabi anticline) of the Bahariya high. Two periods of deformation have affected the investigated area. The first one is considered to be a part of the Syrian arc system (of the Laramide cycle) that extends in post-cenomanian - pre-Campanian time from Bahariya to Abu Rawash near Cairo. The second one is considered to be a part of the Alpine cycle. It affects the Eocene and Oligocene sediments. Faulting accompanied both periods of deformation. The fault systems: NE-SW (aualitic), E-W (Tethyan) and NW-SE (African) are recognized.