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Continuous fluid circulation in Hammam Faraun geothermal system, Gulf of Suez rift, Egypt: evidences from hydrothermal deposits along rift-related faults

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Abstract

Geothermal activities are often associated with hydrothermal deposits and hydrothermal features that could aid in geothermal exploration. As a case study, this paper is concerned mainly with the factors controlling the hydrothermal activities and deposits in the Hammam Faraun (HF) area, Gulf of Suez rift, Egypt. In addition to dolomites, hot spring travertine deposits recorded for the first time in this area are emphasized. The proposed conceptual models illustrated that these deposits are confined to the damage zone of the Hammam Faraun fault (HFF). The main factors controlling the hydrothermal activities through time are: syn-rift volcanic activities related to shallow magma chamber bounded to the lithosphere, variable fluid conditions and nature of hydrothermal circulation through HF fault system. At rift initiation, sea water percolated along the CLB fault (a clysmic fault parallel to HFF), reached the Nubian Sandstone and Eocene Carbonate aquifers, mixed with their water, heated and arose along the HFF. The hydrothermal deposits related to fluid circulation at this time are represented by stratabound dolomite. At rift climax, the massive dolostone was formed from coastal lakes mixed water. These dolomitizing lakes occupied the topographically low area at the flank of HF relay ramp. With the beginning of post rifting time, travertine deposits were developed from fluids inside spring lakes during the Pleistocene pluvial period. This sequential development of dolomitization, travertine, and hot fluid flow in HF area would suggest continuity of geothermal activities since the rift initiation until present. Therefore, this study may be considered as a guiding model for further proper evaluation of geothermal energy resources of HF area in particular and geothermal systems in rift basins in general.

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Fig. 1

adapted from Moustafa and Abdeen 1992; Sharp et al. 2000)

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Acknowledgements

This work is a part of a master’s thesis of the first author registered at faulty of science, Cairo University. The authors are sincerely grateful to Prof. Shawky Sakran (Professor of Structural Geology at Cairo University) for his guidance and valuable discussion during all the phases of this work. Special thanks are given to the staff of the institute of geological sciences at Jagiellonian University in Poland for all their help during the Erasmus+ mobility scholarship of the first author at their institute where a large part of this work was performed. Prof. Mohamed Hamadan (Professor of Geoarchaeology and Quaternary Geology at Cairo University) is also greatly acknowledged for his constructive discussion on travertine. The authors thank the helpful discussion with Dr. Hend Abu Salem (Lecturer of Hydrogeology at Cairo University) that enhanced the hydrochemical interpretation. The support from the Egyptian Armed Forces during field trips is highly acknowledged and appreciated.

Funding

The field work was financially supported by Cairo University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt

    A. Shawky, M. I. El-Anbaawy & N. A. Shallaly

  2. National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics (NRIAG), Helwan, Cairo, Egypt

    H. E. Abdelhafiz

  3. Aminex Petroleum Egypt Ltd, London, UK

    E. N. Shaheen

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  1. A. Shawky
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  2. M. I. El-Anbaawy
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Correspondence to A. Shawky.

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Shawky, A., El-Anbaawy, M.I., Shallaly, N.A. et al. Continuous fluid circulation in Hammam Faraun geothermal system, Gulf of Suez rift, Egypt: evidences from hydrothermal deposits along rift-related faults. Carbonates Evaporites 36, 57 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13146-021-00721-w

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