Sinai Peninsula has fascinating geologic setting and is displaying a diversity of structural lineaments that have greatly influenced the distribution of natural resources and hazards. Shaded relief images derived from SRTM-DEM mosaics were used for the identification, extraction, and mapping of these structural lineaments. Statistical parameters particu larly, azimuth frequency, lineament intersection, lengths, and density distribution were analyzed using SPSS software. Two additional new statistical indices; Lineament Relative Abundance Index (LRAI) and Lineament Majority-Minority Index (LMMI) were applied. Moreover, the distribution of the different statistical parameters was illustrated as contour maps through GIS environment. Basically, two dominant clusters; NW-SE and NNE-SSW trends were detected. These trends are related to major fracture systems that are characterized by extensive mean lengths and high proportion values. Furthermore, the northern and central parts of Sinai Peninsula have lower density and intersection of structural linea ments that gradually increase towards the southern part. However, the northern part of Sinai displays wider areas of majority zones than the southern part. This could be attributed to the lower density of lineaments and little tendency for multiple lineament populations. The majority zones are usually associated with NE and NW-SE in the northern part of Sinai, whereas the majority zones are of less abundance in the central and southern parts of Sinai due to the multiple orientations of lineament populations which reduce the tendency for majority. Eventually, the results of the present work could be applicable in the different geologic and environmental aspects that are based on a good understanding of the genetic and spatial relationships of fracture systems. These aspects encompass geodynamics, exploration for miner alization and groundwater, in addition to the mitigation of natural hazards such as flush flooding and earthquakes.
A. Masoud and K. Koike, “Tectonic Architecture through Landsat-7 ETM+/ SRTM DEM-Derived Lineaments and Relationship to the Hydrogeologic Setting in Siwa Region, NW Egypt,” Journal of African Earth’s Sciences, Vol. 45, No. 4-5, 2006, pp. 467-477. doi:10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2006.04.005
A. Masoud and K. Koike, “Morphotectonics Inferred from the Analysis of Topographic Lineaments Auto-Detected from DEMs: Application and Validation for the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt,” Tectonophysics, Vol. 510, No. 1-2, 2011, pp. 291-308. doi:10.1016/j.tecto.2011.07.010
S. Solomon and Gh. Ghebreab, “Lineament Characteriza tion and Their Tectonic Significance Using Landsat TM Data and Field Studies in the Central Highlands of Eritrea,” Journal of African Earth Sciences, Vol. 46, No. 4, 2006, pp. 371-378. doi:10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2006.06.007
E. M. El-Shazly, M. Abdel Hady, M. El Ghawaby and I. A. El Kassas, “Geologic Interpretation of ERTS-1 Satellite Images for West Aswan Area, Egypt,” Proceedings of the Ninth International Symposium on Remote Sensing of the Environment, Ann Arbor, 15-19 April 1974, pp. 119 131.
E. M. El-Shazly, M. Abdel Hady, M. El Ghawaby, I. A. El Kassas, M. M. El-Shazly, A. B. Salman and M. El Rakaiby, “Mapping of Sinai Peninsula by Landsat-1 Satellite Imagery interpretation,” 13th International Symposium on Remote Sensing of Environment, Ann Arbor, 23-27 April 1979.
A. Sobhy, “Interpretation of the Geomorphic Provinces and Structural Elements in Sinai Peninsula by using Land sat images,” Master’s Thesis, Zagazig University, Zaga zig, 1983.
A. M. Hegazi, “Analysis and Tectonic Significance of the Structural Lineaments of Umm Alawi Area, South Sinai, Egypt,” Proceeding of the Fifth Conference, Geology of Sinai Development, St. Catherine, 27-30 October 1998, pp. 19-30.
E. M. Moustafa and M. Y. Qari, “An Exact Technique of Counting Lineaments,” Engineering Geology, Vol. 39, No. 1-2, 1995, pp. 5-16. doi:10.1016/0013-7952(95)00003-X
A. M. Hegazi and S. Ahmed, “Application of Remote Sensing Techniques to Extract and Analysis the Structrual Lineaments along the Gulf of Aqaba, South Sinai, Egypt,” Proceeding of the Fifth Conference, Geology of Sinai Development, St. Catherine, 27-30 October 1998, pp. 1-17.
M. A. El-Ghawaby, A. M. Hegazi and M. O. Arnous, “Photolineament Factor an Indicator for Probable Sites of Mineralization in Saint Catherine Area, Egypt,” Egyptian Journal of Geology, Vol. 45, No. 1, 2001, pp. 1-10.
T. A. Seleem, “Structural Analysis and Tectonic Evolution of Southwestern Sinai, Egypt,” Ph.D. Thesis, Suez Canal University, Suez, 2005.
H. J. Bayer, H. Hotzl, A. R. Jado, B. Rocher and W. Vo genreiter, “Sedimentary and Structural Evolution of the Northwest Arabian Red Sea Margin,” Tectonphysics, Vol. 153, 1988, pp. 137-151. doi:10.1016/0040-1951(88)90011-X
A. R. Moustafa, “Block Faulting in the Gulf of Suez,” Proceedings of the 5th Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation Exploration Seminar, Cairo, 1976.
A. Sehim, W. Frisch and A. Noufal, “Paleostress Status and Rifting Events of the Gulf of Suez Basin, Egypt,” 4th International Conference, Geology of the Arab World, Cairo Univ., Egypt, 1999, pp. 64-79.
A. M. Hegazi, “Structural Analysis and Metamorphic Evolution of East Abu Zeneima Area, Sinai, Egypt,” Ph.D. Thesis, Suez Canal University, Suez, 1995.
N. Lyberis, “Tectonic Framework,” In: R. Said, Ed., The Geology of Egypt, A. A. Balkena, Rotterdam, 1988, pp. 113-155.
M. Eyal, Y. Bartov, G. Steinitz and Y. Folkman, “The Origin of the Bir Zrier Rhombo-Shaped Graben, Eastern Sinai,” Tectonics, Vol. 5, No. 2, 1986, pp. 267-277. doi:10.1029/TC005i002p00267
A. M. Hegazi, “Tectonic Evolution of the Polydeformed Sa`al Belt, South Sinai, Egypt,” Acta Geologica Hunga rica, Vol. 49, No. 3, 2006, pp. 1-14. doi:10.1556/AGeol.49.2006.3.5
Z. O. Ben-Avraham, “Structural Framework of the Gulf of Elat (Aqaba), Northern Red Sea,” Journal Geophysics Research, Vol. 90, No. B1, 1985, pp. 703-726.
Z. O. Ben-Avraham, Z. Garfunkel, G. Almager and J. K. Hall, “Continental Break by a Leaky Transform: The Gulf of Elat (Aqaba),” Science, Vol. 206, 1979, pp. 214-216. doi:10.1126/science.206.4415.214
R. Freund, E. Zak and Z. Gerfunkel, “Age and Rate of the Sinistral Movement along the Dead Sea Rift,” Nature, Vol. 220, No. 5164, 1968, pp. 253-255. doi:10.1038/220253a0
R. Freund, Z. Garfunkel, I. Zak, I. Goldberg, T. Weisbrod and B. Derin, “The Shear along the Dead Sea Rift,” Royal Society of London Philosophical Transactions, Vol. 267, No. 1181, 1970, pp. 107-130.
A. M. Quennel, “Tectonics of the Red Sea Rift,” The 20th International Geology Congress, Mexico—The Association of Utah Geological Survey in Africa, 1959, pp. 385 405.
Z. Garfunkel, J. Zak and R. Freund, “Active Faulting in the Dead Sea Rift,” Tectonophysics, Vol. 80, No. 1-4, 1981, pp. 1-26. doi:10.1016/0040-1951(81)90139-6
M. I. Youssef, “Structural Pattern of Egypt and Its Inter pretation,” Bulletin of the American Association of Petroleum Geologist, Vol. 52, No. 4, 1968, pp. 601-614.
M. Eyal, Y. Eyal, Y. Bartov and G. Steinitz, “The Tec tonic Development of the Western Margin of the Gulf of Elat (Aqaba) Rift,” Tectonophysics, Vol. 80, 1981, pp. 39-66.
M. A. Selmi, “Reconstruction of the Structural Pattern along N-S Profiles in Northern Sinai, Egypt,” Master’s Thesis, Suez Canal University, Suez, 2003.
A. R. Moustafa and M. H. Khalil, “North Sinai Structures and Tectonic Evolution. MERC,” Ain Shams University, Earth Science Series 3, 1989, pp. 215-231.
R. Said, “The Geology of Egypt,” Elsevier Publishing Company, Amsterdam, 1962.
F. I. Khedr, “Structural Studies on the Northeastern Sec tor of the Gulf of Suez, Egypt,” Ph.D. Thesis, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 2003.
W. Bosworth and M. Taviani, “Late Quaternary Reorientation of Stress Field and Extension Direction in the Southern Gulf of Suez, Egypt: Evidence from Uplifted Coral Terraces, Mesoscopic Fault Arrays, and Borehole Breakouts,” Tectonics, Vol. 15, No. 4, 1996, pp. 791-802. doi:10.1029/95TC03851
A. R. Moustafa and M. H. Khalil, “Superposed Deforma tion in the Northern Suez Rift, Egypt: Relevance to Hydrocarbons Exploration,” Journal of Petroleum Geologists, Vol. 18, No. 3, 1995, pp. 245-266. doi:10.1111/j.1747-5457.1995.tb00905.x
M. El-Shafei and T. M. Kusky, “Structural and Tectonic Evolution of the Neoproterozoic Feiran-Solaf Metamorphic Belt, Sinai Peninsula: Implication for the Closure of Mozambique Ocean,” Precambrian Research, Vol. 123, No. 2-4, 2003, pp. 269-293. doi:10.1016/S0301-9268(03)00072-X
A. Fowler and I. Hassan, “Extensional Tectonic Origin of Gneissosity and Related Structures of the Feiran-Solaf Metamorphic Belt, Sinai, Egypt,” Precambrian Research, Vol. 164, No. 3-4, 2008, pp. 119-136. doi:10.1016/j.precamres.2008.03.007
B. Blasband, S. White, P. Brooijmans, H. De Boorder and W. Visser, “Late Proterozoic Extensional Collapse in the Arabian-Nubian Shield,” The Geological Society, Vol. 157, No. 3, 2000, pp. 615-628. doi:10.1144/jgs.157.3.615
T. A. Seleem and I. H. Khalifa, “Structural Control of Sul phide Mineralization in Wadi El-Rusis and Wadi Remthi localities, South Sinai, Cairo,” Egyptian Journal of Ge ology, Vol. 50, 2006, pp. 289-303.
P. Y. Chenet, B. Colletta, J. Letouzey, G. Desforges, E. Qusset and E. A. Zaghloul, “Decollement and Extensional Tectonics on the Eastern of the Suez Rift,” University of Durham, Durham, 1985.
Z. Garifunkel and Y. Bartov, “The Tectonics of the Suez Rift,” Geological Survey of Israel Bulletin, Vol. 71, 1977, pp. 1-44.
T. A. Seleem, “Structural and Geotechnical Evaluation of Wadi Sanad Industrial Granite, South Sinai, Egypt,” Master’s Thesis, Suez Canal University, Suez, 2001.
A. A. Aal, R. A. Day and J. J. Lelek, “Structural Evolution and Styles of the Northern Sinai, Egypt,” 11th EGPC Exploration Seminar, Vol. 1, 1992, pp. 546-563.
M. El Toukhy, H. Charmy and M. Studer, “Structural Evolution of the Eastern Part of the Western Desert and Its Implications for Hydrocarbon Exploration,” Proceedings of 14th Petroleum Conference October Exploration Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation, Cairo, 1998, pp. 156-177.
R. Guiraud and Y. Bellion, “Late Carboniferous to Recent Geodynamic Evolution of the West Gondwanian Cratonic Tethyan Margins,” In: A. Nairn, J. Dercourt and B. Vrie lynck, Eds., The Ocean Basins and Margins, 8: The Tethys Ocean. Plenum Press, New York, 1995, pp. 101-124.
S. G. Abd El Samie and M. A. Sadek, “Groundwater Recharge and Flow in the Lower Cretaceous Nubian Sand stone Aquifer in the Sinai Peninsula, Using Isotopic Techniques and Hydrochemistry,” Hydrochemistry Journal, Vol. 9, No. 4, 2001, pp. 378-389. doi:10.1007/s100400100140
V. Corchete, M. Chourak and H. M. Hussein, “Shear Wave Velocity Structure of the Sinai Peninsula from Rayleigh Wave Analysis,” Surveys in Geophysics, Vol. 28, No. 4, 2007, pp. 299-324. doi:10.1007/s10712-007-9027-6
A. R. Moustafa and M. H. Khalil, “Rejuvenation of the Eastern Mediterranean Passive Continental Margin in Northern and Central Sinai: New Data from the Themed Fault,” Geological Magazine, Vol. 131, 1994, pp. 435 448. doi:10.1017/S0016756800012085
R. A. Abul-Nasr, “Biostratigraphy and Facies Analysis of Some Eocene Exposures, West Central Sinai, Egypt,” Middle East Research Center, Ain Shams University, Earth Sciences Series 4, 1987, pp. 234-247.
Z. Garfunkel, J. Barton, Y. Eyal and G. Steinitz, “Raham Conglomerate, New Evidence for Neogene Tectonism in the Southern Part of the Dead Sea Rift,” Geological Magazine, Vol. 111, 1974, pp. 55-64. doi:10.1017/S0016756800000455
M. I. Youssef, “Structural Pattern of Egypt and Its Interpretation,” Bulletin of the American Association of Petroleum Geologist, Vol. 52, No. 4, 1968, pp. 601-614.
X. LePichon, J. Francheteau and J. Bonnin, “Developments in Tectonics (Plate Tectonics),” 2nd Edition, El servier, Amsterdam, 1976.