Utilizing shallow seismic reflection for mitigating seismic and geo-environmental hazards in the development project of Gabal Ataqa Area, Cairo–Suez District, Egypt

Nowadays, development projects are becoming so rapid in many developing countries worldwide. The study of interest focuses on Cairo–Suez District, which represents the most important location in Egypt for major infrastructure projects and urbanization expansion. Consequently, it is very important to reduce the hazards surrounding this area from natural disasters, so all information that supports geo-environmental hazards assessment is importantly needed. The Gabal Ataqa area has socioeconomic importance as it is considered the industrial zone in the national project for developing the northern part of the Gulf of Suez. The situation of Gabal Ataqa area for being rich with numerous geological structures, and its socioeconomic importance calls the need for the delineation of the subsurface structural features in this area using the appropriate method. The geological framework has recognized all Quaternary faults in the Gabal Ataqa area as they are exposed to the surface, at the same time, no seismic reflection data has been acquired in the Gabal Ataqa area. Accordingly, the shallow seismic reflection method is applied in the Gabal Ataqa area to detect the Quaternary faults that are not exposed to the surface and also to detect any subsurface features that may cause construction problems, such as water-wet sands, sabkhas, and limestone cavities. Three lines of 2D seismic profiles are acquired in the study area. After applying seismic data processing and interpretation, two Quaternary faults have been recognized in the first and third lines. The location of the first seismic line has been chosen to be between two historic earthquake events, increasing the probability that the sources causing these two events will be located on the newly recognized quaternary fault. A dim spot has been recognized in the second seismic line at a depth of 50 m, which may indicate the presence of a groundwater aquifer or wet sandstone layer. Based on these results, changing the industrial zone place to another side to be away from the area of the three seismic lines is highly recommended.