GROUND PENETRATING RADAR INVESTIGATIONS OF SHALLOW ACTIVE FAULTS AT THE NORTHERN GULF OF AQABA

The shallow subsurface is one of the most important geological areas of investigation because of its importance for resources and human activities. The near surface unconsolidated sediments and rocks also give us a hint about the recent geological history of a region. Studying the young sedimentary cover gives us an idea of active tectonic processes and allows us to learn more about future tectonics motion. Near-surface geophysical prospecting is increasingly used in seismic hazard assessment studies to help in identifying active faults and to constrain seismic deformation parameters. Ground penetrating radar (GPR) survey was carried out in Aqaba City (Jordan) and Elat city (Israel) to detect shallow subsurface continuities. The GPR results show different subsurface discontinuities (fractures, faults). All the detected faults located by GPR survey are shallow less than 10 m depth and have vertical small displacement within late Quaternary sediments. The GPR anomalies appear to align along three longitudinal faults trending NE-trending fault zones at Aqaba and two north trending fault zones at Elat. Additional two transverse (cross) faults were detected in the city of Aqaba.