Abdullah Diabat

Fracture systems of granites and Quaternary deposits of the area east of Aqaba: indicators of reactivation and neotectonic activity

This study is based on measurement of hundreds of fractures (small faults, joints, cracks) in the crystalline rocks (Precambrian) and in Quaternary deposits of the investigated area east of Aqaba. Fault-slip data, joints, and any weakness zone data from the study area were collected from 20 stations. These stations represent wadi cliffs, stream channels, alluvial fans in the Pleistocene to Holocene sediments, and granitic rocks. During this study, it was assumed that any discontinuity in granitic rocks is a plane of weakness neoformed or inherited and reactivated during the successive tectonic phases. Whereas any cracks, joints, or small displacement in the Pleistocene and Holocene deposits are assumed to represent the activity or, more recently, deformation of the local area where they found. This study found the main trends of weakness zones, the kinematics, and the relation to main stress field in the region. Results show that the Late Neoproterozoic structures were reactivated during the Cenozoic and controlled the recent movement along the Dead Sea Rift. The NNE to N-S trend sets explain the reactivation of the late Neoproterozoic structures during Tertiary times. On the other hand, the formation of the Dead Sea Transform during the Miocene occurred along the N-S to NNE-SSW trending fault system, which was reactivated as sinistral fault.

Lineament characterization and their tectonic significance using gravity data and field studies in the Al-Jufr area, southeastern Jordan plateau

Lineaments in the southeastern Jordan plateau are mapped using gravity data and field studies in order to understand the tectonic origin of these lineaments, especially in relation to the Dead Sea transform (DST) and the Red Sea opening. Four sets trending E-W, NW-SE, NE-SW, and N-S are identified in gravity data. Field studies generally reveal similar orientations. Field and gravity studies indicate that most of the lineaments are extensional features that correspond to normal faults. Most of these were subsequently reactivated into strike-slip shear fractures. The NW-SE and N-S lineaments represent dilatational fractures. The N-S trending lineaments are the oldest. The E-W lineaments form conjugate shear fractures and are younger than the N-S lineaments. These conjugate shear fractures are also older than other set of conjugate shear fractures oriented NE-SW. The evolution of all these fractures is attributed to the DST and the Red Sea spreading. Kinematic and dynamic analysis of the two, older and younger, pairs of conjugate strike-slip fractures revealed, respectively, broadly NW-SE and N-S oriented transpressional stress (σ1) with corresponding transtensional stress (σ3) oriented NE-SW and E-W.

Karst development related to extensional fracture network at Bany-Kanana area, northern Jordan

The study area lies east of the northern segment of the Dead Sea Transform (DST), within the Jordan valley active strike-slip fault system. The exposed rocks in the study area consist of Upper Cretaceous to Cenozoic carbonates and cherts. This study concentrated on detailed field measurements of the various structural elements such as extensional fractures, normal faults, and strike-slip faults, with a total of 1,976 measurements. The predominant trends of all fractures (faults and joints) in the study area are N-S, NNW-SSE, and NW-SE with steep dips and characterized by sinistral and extensional modes of deformation. The NNW to NW trend has the same general trend of the water flow path in the study area. Normal and strike-slip conjugate and hybrid fracture sets with different acute dihedral angles and steep dips were observed in the study area. These fractures connect with the vertical extensional fractures in the same stratigraphic level. In addition, the interconnected orthogonal fracture systems with bedding parallel fractures play a major role conducting fluid movement and therefore, in initiation of karst development in the study area. These fractures network were enlarged by water dissolution forming small caverns.

Geo-structural Analysis Accompanied by GIS Vulnerability Mapping Validated by Hydro-chemical Modeling in Determining Spatial Expansion of Landfills: Case Study from Jordan

Dumpsites have to be carefully sited, since they can harm groundwater quality, especially in countries like Jordan, that depends totally on groundwater resources. The northern part of Jordan witnesses an accelerating population growth because of refugees’ growth, according to the political situation in the region. Dumpsites have to be accordingly expanded. This study investigates two dumpsites in two areas in order to determine safe expansion directions, utilizing DRASTIC index for groundwater vulnerability against pollution and using GIS environment. Geo-structural analysis supported the results with more reality, while hydrochemical analysis and water flow directions of groundwater enabled validating the results.