The High Dam is one of the world’s biggest embankments dams. Moreover, the new city of Aswan, which locates on the western side of the Nile River, is one of the cities that was established to overcome the growing population problem. Therefore, the detailed geophysical studies for the active faults are of more importance for assessing the seismic stability for both of them. Indeed, the emergency spillway fault was documented as a normal and inactive fault. While, a moderate earthquake (M_L = 4.6) was recorded along this fault in 2010, about 4.5 km away from the Dam. Hence, its activity must be re-evaluated. The seismic activity along the fault and its extension has been studied. The seismicity distributions and the fault plane solution indicate normal faulting with a strike-slip component and shallow focal depth. Moreover, pore pressure and fluid diffusion play an essential role in fault activation process. On the other hand, the magnetic data for the research area was subjected to a detailed analysis. 2D spectrum analysis and 3D Euler deconvolution methods, were used to analyze and interpret the aeromagnetic anomaly data so as to better understand the tectonic framework of the study region. Finally, the integrated geophysical data delineate the trend of the emergency spillway fault which extends NW–SE. This fault could assist in updating the current seismic source model around the High Dam and new Aswan city for evaluating the seismic hazard for both of them.

The Egyptian Government is developing a new city, Galala, above the Northern Galala Plateau, western side of Gulf of Suez between Ain Sukhna and Zafarana. The aim of the study is integrating magnetic and stratigraphic data to delineate the subsurface features beneath the New Galala City, in order to avoid the possible geological hazards. The stratigraphic succession in the study area consists of Precambrian basement complex overlain unconformably by Phanerozoic sequence. The Phanerozoic sequence composed mainly of siliciclastic-dominated rocks superimposed by carbonate-dominated rocks. The carbonate-dominated rocks cover most surface area, whilst the siliciclastic-dominated rocks exposed along eastern and southern foot slope of the Northern Galala Plateau. The observed palaeo-karst surfaces, fissures, caves, sink-holes and fault zones within carbonate rocks may cause some geological hazards in the study area. The total intensity aeromagnetic map was subjected to un-prescribed structural index 3D-Euler Deconvolution (ED), the tilt angle derivative (TDR) and the power spectrum in order to estimate both trends and source depths. The source depths range from 500 m to 4000 m, which result from the Precambrian basement complex. However, the trends of encountered structural elements are mainly NE–SW, NW–SE, NNW–SSE and E–W directions.

The construction of the New Galala City besides great mining (e.g., konoozmisr) and Seawater Reverse Osmosis Desalination Plant projects in the semiarid Gulf of Suez region of Egypt increases the demand for groundwater resources. So, the current research provides integrated stratigraphical, hydrogeochemical, and geophysical studies to investigate the shallow groundwater aquifers in Wadi Araba area on the western side of the Gulf of Suez. The stratigraphic column starts with pre-Cambrian basement rocks which are non-conformably overlain by sedimentary succession of Phanerozoic Erathem. A detailed land magnetic profile has been conducted and processed to estimate the aquifer’s geometrical parameters. This includes the subsurface spatial extension and thickness to delineate the prevailed subsurface structures in the study area. Lithostratigraphically, these aquifers are represented by the Paleozoic- lower Cretaceous siliciclastic-dominated sediments of the Nubia Group and fractured carbonate-dominated facies of the upper Cretaceous Galala Formation. Lithological characters, sedimentary facies (fluvial to shallow and open marine), microfacies types, and diagenesis processes (e.g., compaction, cementation, dissolution, and fracturing) are the main factors that affect the quality of the shallow aquifers in the study area. The main microfacies of the studied aquifers are quartz arenite, subarkose, sublitharenite, mudstone/wackestone, and packstone/grainstone. These facies are characterized by different primary and secondary porosities. According to the water sampling standard methods, nineteen groundwater samples were collected from the available hand-dug wells and springs from the Nubian sandstone aquifer and the Upper Cretaceous aquifer, respectively. Inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP–MS), titration, spectrophotometer and a flame photometer were used to obtain a complete chemical analysis. The results of hydrochemical analyses indicated that total dissolved solids (TDS) and concentrations of major ions as well in the lower Cretaceous aquifer increase toward the Gulf of Suez and in general higher than that of springs of the Upper Cretaceous Aquifer. The predominant factors influencing groundwater chemistry include seawater intrusion, evaporation, mineral alteration, dissolution of fossils, and ion exchange. Groundwater in the study area is unsuitable for drinking except in one sample and moderately suitable for irrigation with caution for higher salinity in samples located near the Gulf of Suez.

This work responds to what was reported in various audio-visual media channels and to queries and explanations from individuals and local residents on the causes of gaseous and thermal emissions from the Earth near the vicinity of the village of Al-Hindaw in Dakhla city, New Valley Governorate, Egypt. At the location of the fume exit area, magnetic, seismic, and electromagnetic geophysical investigations were carried out to identify the factor(s) responsible for the event in question. Rock samples were collected and studied geochemically and radiographically to assess their chemical compositions, as well as the quantity of organic chemicals that may have contributed to the burning and temperature increase. In light of the results of the geochemical and geophysical research, it is believed that the self-ignitions are the result of near-surface reactions and oxidation instead of volcanic activity, such as the presence of magma or other comparable phenomena.