US-Egypt Cooperative Research: Structural Evolution of the Neoproterozoic Allaqi-Heiani Suture, Southern Egypt from Remote Sensing and Field Studies

项目描述：本项目支持德克萨斯大学达拉斯岩石圈研究中心Mohamed Abdel-Salam博士和埃及开罗艾因沙姆斯大学地质系Hamed Dowidar博士的合作研究。他们计划进行实地考察，研究埃及南部新元古代Allaqi-Heiani缝合带的结构演化。该构造形成了阿拉伯-努比亚地盾最北端的弧-弧缝合线，以线状蛇绿岩带为标志。本项目将验证沿缝合线的构造样式从西部的褶皱冲断带（缝合线向东西向）到北-南向的缩短带和走滑断裂系统的变化假设。构造样式的变化可能是由于orgon锋面的几何形状和/或与Hamisana剪切带相似的新元古代变形的叠加。这一假设可以通过遥感和实地研究加以检验。研究将基于为期两个月的实地考察，由轨道光学遥感图像指导，包括新获得的先进星载热发射和反射辐射计（ASTER）数据。将于2003年12月和2004年1月在埃及南部进行实地研究。这项研究的结果将概述东非造山带一个重要构造的演变，并检查ASTER数据在干旱地区支持地质制图的效用。研究范围：由于该研究是在一个新的遥感平台上进行的，因此在规划的地质和构造分析中使用ASTER数据的结果具有广泛的重要性。对暴露良好的新元古代缝合带的研究，并通过与现代会聚板块边缘的比较来评估其构造样式的变化，也将对新元古代板块构造的性质和现代性具有广泛的意义。埃及和美国大学科学家之间的国际合作将包括数字图像处理和ASTER轨道光学遥感分析方面的培训。这两位合作者具有互补的专长。Abdel-Salam博士在非洲东北部的构造地质学、地质遥感和前寒武纪地质学方面具有丰富的经验，包括对阿拉伯-努比亚地盾缝合带的广泛研究。该项目还包括一名来自德克萨斯大学达拉斯分校的博士生，他正在做关于缝合带构造演化的论文。埃及合作者在将各种遥感技术应用于地质问题方面具有专门知识。该项目将为一名埃及科学家提供机会，让他访问科大并接受应用于地质研究的数字图像处理和遥感分析原理方面的培训。

0323738 Abdel-SalamDescription: This project supports a cooperative research between Dr. Mohamed Abdel-Salam, Center for Lithospheric Studies at the University of Texas, Dallas and Dr. Hamed Dowidar, Department of Geology, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt. They plan to conduct field research to study the structural evolution of the Neoproterozoic Allaqi-Heiani Suture in southern Egypt. This structure forms the northernmost arc-arc suture in the Arabian-Nubian Shield that is marked by linear ophiolitic belt. This project will test the hypothesis that the structural styles along the suture change from a fold and thrust belt in the west where the suture trends E-W to shortening zones and strike-slip fault system where the suture trends N-S. Changes in structural styles might be due to the geometry of the orgon front and/or superimposition of younger Neoproterozoic deformation similar to that of the Hamisana Shear Zone. This hypothesis can be tested by remote sensing and field studies. Research will be based on a two-month field trip guided by orbital optical remote sensing imagery including the newly acquired Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) data. Field studies will be conducted in southern Egypt during December 2003 and January 2004. The results of this research will outline the evolution of an important structure in the East African Orogen in addition to examining the utility of ASTER data for supporting geological mapping in arid regions. Scope: The results of using ASTER data in the planned geologic and structural analysis are of broad importance, since this study is on a new remote sensing platform. Examination of a well-exposed Neoproterozoic suture and assessment of its variation in structural style by comparison with modern convergent plate margins will also have broad implications as to the nature and modernity of Neoproterozoic plate tectonics. The international collaboration between scientists at Egyptian and U.S. universities will include training in digital image processing and ASTER orbital optical remote sensing analysis. The two collaborators have complementary expertise. Dr. Abdel-Salam has experience in structural geology, geological remote sensing and the Precambrian geology of NE Africa, including extensive work on the suture zones of the Arabian-Nubian shield. The project also involves a Ph.D. student from the University of Texas, Dallas who is doing his dissertation on the tectonic evolution of the suture. The Egyptian collaborator has expertise in the application of a variety of remote sensing techniques to geologic problems. The project will provide an opportunity for an Egyptian scientist to visit UTD and get trained in the principles of digital image processing and remote sensing analysis as applied to geological studies.