Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Science - Department of Geology

Hammam Faraun (HF) area is considered as one of the main geothermal areas in Egypt, as such its geothermal system and geothermal potentiality are assessed in this study. The present study attempts to integrate different elements that were not fully integrated in previous geothermal studies of the study area. Therefore, subsurface geology from nearby offshore abandoned oil wells was integrated with surface geology. Detailed studies of the different hydrothermal deposits and features were carried out to understand their relationship with the geothermal activity.The main factors controlling the hydrothermal activities through time are: syn- rift volcanic activities related to shallow magma source bounded to the lithosphere, variable fluid conditions and nature of hydrothermal circulation through HF fault system. Some conceptual models were suggested. These models illustrate the hydrothermal system that is assumed to control the formation of not only the relatively recent localized massive hydrothermal dolostones, but also the formation of the hot spring deposits (travertine) recorded for the first time in the study area as wells as karstic features. At rift initiation, sea water percolated along the CLB fault, reached the Nubian Sandstone and Eocene carbonate aquifers, mixed with their water, heated and arose along the Hammam Faraun Fault (HFF).The hydrothermal deposits related to fluid circulation at this time are represented by stratabound dolomite. At rift climax, the massive dolostone was formed from coastal lakes mixed water.These dolomitizing lakes occupied the topographically low area at the flank of HF relay ramp. With the beginning of post rifting time, travertine deposits were developed from fluids inside spring lakes during the Pleistocene pluvial period

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