Imaging Pleistocene volcanic edifices along the Egyptian Red Sea margin: Insights from reflection seismics and 3D constrained inversion of gravity and magnetic data

Ali, Moamen; Decarlis, Alessandro; Geng, Meixia; Bosworth, William; Ball, Philip J.; Ligi, Marco; Ceriani, Andrea

Abstract

Several volcanic buildups have been documented using gravity and magnetic data at specific locations in the Northern Red Sea (NRS). Most of these volcanoes were never sampled, and only a few were imaged by seismic or bathymetry data. Furthermore, the confidentiality of commercial datasets does not allow adequate knowledge of these structures and their morphology and physical properties. In this study, 2D and 3D seismic reflection data and 3D constrained inversion of magnetic and gravity data have been used to infer densities and magnetic susceptibilities of volcanic features in the central part of the NRS and to evaluate the distribution and geometry. This study indicates that the results of the 3D inverted models show a good fit with the volcanic structures inferred from seismic data and, thus, that the inversion technique adopted can be a reliable tool for detecting other edifices where seismic data are missing. The 3D inverted density and magnetic susceptibility models suggest that at least eight isolated structures with similar gravity and magnetic properties exist in the study area. They are associated with high densities and magnetic susceptibility anomalies with average values of 2700 kg/m3 and 0.025 SI, respectively. These magmatic structures are deeply rooted in the sedimentary cover and emerge at elevations of 100 to >650 m relative to the seabed. They developed in a sector interpreted as containing thinned continental crust, accompanied by the ascension of magma through prominent rift-related normal faults. Magmatic activity likely started in the Pleistocene and continues to the present day.

Citation

Ali, M., Decarlis, A., Geng, M., Bosworth, W., Ball, P. J., Ligi, M., & Ceriani, A. (2024). Imaging Pleistocene volcanic edifices along the Egyptian Red Sea margin: Insights from reflection seismics and 3D constrained inversion of gravity and magnetic data. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 448, Article 108038. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2024.108038

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 26, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Feb 27, 2024
• Publication Date: 2024-04
• Deposit Date: May 31, 2024
• Journal: Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research
• Print ISSN: 0377-0273
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 448
• Article Number: 108038
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2024.108038
• Public URL: https://keele-repository.worktribe.com/output/844498
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0377027324000301?via%3Dihub
• Additional Information: This article is maintained by: Elsevier; Article Title: Imaging Pleistocene volcanic edifices along the Egyptian Red Sea margin: Insights from reflection seismics and 3D constrained inversion of gravity and magnetic data; Journal Title: Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research; CrossRef DOI link to publisher maintained version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2024.108038; Content Type: article; Copyright: © 2024 Published by Elsevier B.V.