Geological structures mapping using aeromagnetic prospecting and remote sensing data in the karstic massif of Beni Mellal Atlas, Morocco

Abstract

The current study exposes the results of aeromagnetic data interpretation and a combined analysis of 1-A sentinel radar image that cover the study area of Beni Mellal Atlas in order to describe the structural geometry and to understand its tectonic evolution.The map of the reduced to pole of residual magnetic field highlights various magnetic anomalies with high amplitudes that correspond to Jurassic-Cretaceous basaltic formations outcropping synclinal basins of Beni Mellal Atlas. The interpretation of magnetic data using tilt derivative (TDR), horizontal gradient technique coupled to upward continuation and Euler Deconvolution allows us to distinguish the fractures network that is affecting the study area. In order to complete this analysis, the Sentinel-A radar image is processed and filtered using SNAP ESA Sentinel-1 toolbox software to extract lineaments. The final structural map reveals four faults groups oriented respectively NE-SW, ENE-WSW to E-W, N-S and NW-SE Their depths estimated by the application of Euler deconvolution exceed 1500 m.Thoses faults have played a major role in structural evolution of Beni Mellal Atlas.

Keywords

• beni mellal atlas
• aeromagnetic data
• sentinel-1
• lineaments