Rift domains and structural framework of the northwestern Red Sea basin, Egypt.

The Red Sea basin is considered one of the world-class examples of continental rifting, breakup and seafloor spreading. This study focuses on the structural framework of the northwestern part of the Egyptian Red Sea margin and the identification of the different rift domains using surface and subsurface data. Subsurface mapping using 2D seismic and borehole data indicates that the northern part of this area represents the continuation of the structural style of the southern Gulf of Suez rift as the mapped structures are mainly down to the northeast main faults with southwest dipping strata. In addition, two negative flower structures have been observed and represent the southern continuation of the Gulf of Aqaba -Dead Sea left-lateral transform fault system. The NE dip of the main rift-parallel faults that characterizes most of the study area flips in the southern part of the area (south of the Duwi accommodation zone) where the fault blocks dip northeastward and the main faults dip SW. Based on the integration of the structural style, continental crust stretching factor (β) and the crustal thickness, the northwestern margin of the Red Sea can be divided into proximal domain, necking domain and potential hyper-extended domain that seems to extend southeast of the area of study and may represent the future locus for oceanic crust development in the northern Red Sea. Each domain is characterized by a distinct structural style and subsidence profiles, and variable preservation and distribution of the pre-rift and syn-rift stratigraphic units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]