Faulting patterns in the Lower Yarmouk Gorge potentially influence groundwater flow paths

Abstract

Recent studies investigating groundwater parameters, e.g., heads, chemical composition, and heat transfer, argued that groundwater flow paths in the Lower Yarmouk Gorge (LYG) area are controlled by geological features such as faults or dikes. However, the nature of such features, as well as their exact locations, were so far unknown. In the present paper, we propose a new fault pattern in the LYG area by compiling and revising geological and geophysical data from the study area, including borehole information, geological map cross sections, and seismic data from the southern Golan Heights and northern Ajloun mountains. The presented pattern is composed of strike-slip and thrust faults, which are associated with the Dead Sea transform system and with the Kinnarot pull-apart basin. Compressional and tensional structures developed in different places, forming a series of fault blocks probably causing a non-uniform spatial hydraulic connection between them. This study provides a coarse fault-block model and improved structural constraints that serve as fundamental input for future hydrogeological modeling which is a suggested solution for an enigmatic hydrological situation concerning three riparian states (Syria, Jordan, and Israel) in a water-scarce region. In areas of water scarcity and transboundary water resources, transient 3-D flow simulations of the resource are the most appropriate solution to understand reservoir behavior. This is an important tool for the development of management strategies. However, those models must be based on realistic geometry, including structural features. The study at the LYG is intended to show the importance of such kinds of structural investigations for providing the necessary database in geologically stressed areas without sufficient data. Furthermore, during the hydrogeological investigation, a mismatch with results of pull-apart basin rim fault evolution studies was discovered. We argue that this mismatch may result from the settings at the eastern rim of the basin as the en-echelon changes from pull-apart basins (Dead Sea, Kinnarot, Hula) to a push-up ridge (Hermon).

Analyzing the influence of correlation length in permeability on convective systems in heterogeneous aquifers using entropy production

“…Additionally to permeability of a reservoir, its structure, i.e., abrupt changes in reservoir thickness, has a strong influence on the convective system. Such changes are usually caused by fault zones which not only influence reservoir structure, but normally also the spatial permeability distribution, and can thus influence groundwater flow paths (Freymark et al 2019;Inbar et al 2019). In terms of their permeability relative to that of the surrounding rock, fault zones may be more permeable, similarly permeable, or less permeable.…”

Applying Rare Earth Elements, Uranium, and87Sr/86Sr to Disentangle Structurally Forced Confluence of Regional Groundwater Resources: The Case of the Lower Yarmouk Gorge

“…The most distinct basaltic water is produced from the B1/B2 limestone aquifers fractured by a complex fault system crossing the LYG [15] (Figure 1(b)). This marks the most important flow path of drainage water from the Hauran into the LYG.…”

“…The hot waters of Hamat Gader and Meizar get salinized by either mixing with relic seawater evaporation brines [2,3] or leaching of evaporites. The recent study is based on 18 years of repeated sampling of wells and springs and reveals significant variations in REY patterns and element concentrations suggesting [15] and Sneh (unpublished). variation of flow paths and associated interactions with host rocks and leaching residual brines and evaporites.…”

“…Based on stratigraphic data [9,10], topographic data, deep seismic survey data [11,12], shallow fault mapping [13], and thickness irregularities of the Turonian and Senonian sequences in the study area [14][15][16][17] support the occurrence of strike-slip flower structure faults along and across the gorge creating a series of structural fault blocks and 3 Geofluids numerous buried faults at close proximity to the Dead Sea Transform Fault (DSTF) ( Figure 1).…”

Sources of Salinization of Groundwater in the Lower Yarmouk Gorge, East of the River Jordan

“…It has been considered whether or not the Gorge delineates a fault or represents an anisotropy zone which possibly prevents transboundary flow of groundwater between Jordan and Israel [12,61]. Seismic lines crossing this border have not been shot up to now but several ones in the southern Golan Heights [13]. Shallow faults in northwest Jordan are described in [45].…”