Rifting and Transtension in the Southern Tethyan Margin - 3D Seismic Evidences from the Southern Alamein Basin (Egypt)

A 3D seismic survey is here used to better understand and interpret the complex interaction between strike slip and normal faulting in a complex plate boundary. In this contribution we introduce some results on the structural style and general evolution of the Gondwana break-up in Northern Africa. We performed 3D horizon mapping, fault enhancement and measurement and velocity modeling. Our study case focuses on the Alamein Basin (Western Desert, Egypt), which is an elongated NW-SE trending half graben. We have quantified and modelled its complex evolution comprising several rift phases with overimposed transtension. We correlate fault trends with the Atlantic Ocean opening and with the ensuing Dead Sea transform fault system and the red sea opening.