Paleokarst processes in the Eocene limestones of the Pyramids Plateau, Giza, Egypt

Aref, M. M. El; Refai, E.

doi:10.1016/0899-5362(87)90079-0

Cited by 7 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…In the Sphinx and Kentkawes area, dissolution phenomena affect joints: statigraphic joints as well as tectonic fractures [El Aref and Refai, 1987;Dowidar and Abd-Allah, 2001]. According to El Aref and Refai [1987], karst ridges are frequently dissected by deep dry solution gullies, separating the ridges into chains of isolated hills.…”

Section: Influence Of Tectonic and Weathering Phenomena On The Local mentioning

confidence: 98%

Geological and topographical study of the original hills at the base of Fourth Dynasty Egyptian monuments of the Memphite plateau

Raynaud

Boisse

Makroum

et al. 2010

Bulletin De La Société Géologique De France

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Rock foundations of the Kephren and Kheops pyramids are examined in comparison with other Fourth Dynasty monuments: the Sphinx, Queen Kentkawes' monument and the Abu Rawash monument. This study is based on geological and topographical observations, photomontages and field measurements. The results, which are correlated with those of former studies, demonstrate the existence of natural hills used as substrata in the construction of the two great pyramids. The minimum volume of these hills can be estimated at 12% and 23% respectively of the volumes of the Kephren and Kheops pyramids. The use of worked rock hills appears to be a construction method under the Fourth Dynasty. Etude géologique et topographique de la colline originelle à la base des monuments de la quatrième dynastie égyptienne du plateau memphiteMots-clés. -Colline originelle, Pyramides égyptiennes, Stratigraphie, Topographie.Résumé. -Le substratum rocheux des pyramides de Kheops et Khephren est étudié en comparaison avec celui d'autres monuments de la quatrième dynastie de l'ancienne Egypte : le Sphinx, le monument de la reine Kentkawes et le monument d'Abu Rawash. Cette étude est basée sur des observations géologiques, topographiques et des photomontages, ainsi que des mesures réalisées sur le terrain. Les résultats, corrélés avec ceux d'études antérieures, démontrent l'existence de collines naturelles utilisées comme assises pour la construction des deux grandes pyramides. Le volume minimum de ces collines peut être estimé par rapport au volume total à 12 % pour Khephren et 23 % pour Kheops. L'utilisation de collines rocheuses pour asseoir la construction d'un monument apparaît comme une des méthodes de construction utilisées sous la quatrième dynastie.

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Section: Influence Of Tectonic and Weathering Phenomena On The Local mentioning

confidence: 98%

Geological and topographical study of the original hills at the base of Fourth Dynasty Egyptian monuments of the Memphite plateau

Raynaud

Boisse

Makroum

et al. 2010

Bulletin De La Société Géologique De France

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“…3a) indicates intense dissolution. However, the development of subsurface/surface dissolution features and accumulation of ochers, calcareous mudstones and salt minerals within the middle and upper Eocene limestones represent the main karst products of the Giza Pyramids plateau under certain climatic and hydrologic conditions, where the movement of water in the plateau area is mainly upward (El Aref and Refai, 1987). Fibrous varieties of gypsum have been identified in several settings.…”

Section: Morphological and Petrographic Featuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of Sulfuric Acid Speleogenetic Deposits within Cavernous Middle Eocene Beds: Inference on Hydrocarbon Gas Seepages, Giza Pyramids Plateau, Egypt

Badawy

2021

Acta Geologica Sinica (Eng)

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Development of sulfuric acid speleogenetic mineral deposits within cavernous middle Eocene beds of the Pyramids plateau is linked to hydrocarbon gas seepages. The work carried out field observations, binocular, polarizing, scanning and transmitted electron microscopy investigation, X‐ray diffraction and X‐ray fluorescence analyses. The morphological and petrographic features and chemical composition of the studied mineral deposits reveal a hypogene sulfuric acid speleogenesis. A model comprised of the following stages can be used to explain the presence of these features. (1) Ascent of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas associated with hydrocarbon seepages from the Cretaceous reservoirs under reducing conditions followed by oxidation to sulfuric acid (H2SO4), (2) descent of carbonic acid (H2CO3)‐rich solution generated from surface sources, (3) reaction of H2SO4 and H2CO3 with the calcareous and argillaceous host rocks, (4) formation of H2SO4 speleogenetic by‐products represented by natroalunite, aluminium‐phosphate‐sulfate, hydrated halloysite and Fe/Mn oxides within the replacive gypsum, and (5) subsequent stresses due to the formation of nearby stratiform cavities gave rise to the development of fractures/veinlets filled with displacive fibrous satinspar gypsum. The study sets the paleokarst features of the Giza Pyramids plateau within a hypogene sulfuric acid karst system developed by the action of groundwater containing H2S, H2SO4 and H2CO3.

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“…OMara [12], Yehia [13] and El Aref and Refai [14] carried out structural studies on the Giza Pyramids Plateau. The plateau is an oriented NE-SW and dipping SE monocline.…”

Section: Geomorphologially and Geological Context Of Giza Plataeumentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The dip of the layers of this monoclinal structure is homogeneous. El Aref and Refai [14] gives a value ranging between 4 and 7° for the zone carrying the study sites.…”

Section: Geomorphologially and Geological Context Of Giza Plataeumentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The entire plateau is affected by karstic processes, described by El Aref and Refai [14] and Dowidar and Abd-Allah [11], which developed according to the local structural and stratigraphic conditions and led to a particular morphology of stepped terraced escarpments, karst ridges and isolated hills. These authors relate the development of karst features to Mediterranean climatic conditions [9].…”

Section: Geomorphologially and Geological Context Of Giza Plataeumentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sustainability problems of the Giza pyramids

Hemeda

Sonbol

2020

Herit Sci

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The Pyramids complex in Giza consists of three main pyramids in addition to the famous Sphinx and small queen's pyramids. Recently, the pyramids of Cheops (Khufu), Chephren (Khafre) and Mykerinos (Menkaure) on the Giza plateau have been threatened by a rising groundwater table resulting from water leakage from the suburbs irrigation canals, and mass urbanization surrounding the Giza pyramids. The pyramids at Giza suffer from a lot of Geo-environmental and structural problems. The main objectives of this study are (1) to assess the current status of the preservation of this unique and high valuable archaeological site, (2) to analyze the various actions that cause the destruction of the pyramid complex, in particular the weathering activities and strong seismic event, and (3) to determine the geochemical and engineering properties for construction materials using different types of tools and advanced analytical and diagnostic techniques. Structural stability analysis requires good assessment of present conditions of major materials used such as stones and structural mortar. The paper shows a thorough analysis of the current condition of the Great Pyramids at Giza. The work includes a discussion and analysis of the natural character and source of the pyramids building stones, geological context, damage survey, petrographic investigation, and physical and mechanical characterization of the stones and structural mortars, by means of laboratory and in situ testing. The results are displayed, described and analyzed in the paper in the context of potential threats to the monuments. The experimental study indicates the dependence of mechanical geological properties on the physical properties and the mineral composition of the studied building materials. The physical and petrographic characteristic of the stones are related. The modeling of properties indicates a reliable relationship between the various visible pores and uniaxial compression force parameters that can be applied to predict and characterize limestone elsewhere.

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Paleokarst processes in the Eocene limestones of the Pyramids Plateau, Giza, Egypt

Cited by 7 publications

References 6 publications

Geological and topographical study of the original hills at the base of Fourth Dynasty Egyptian monuments of the Memphite plateau

Geological and topographical study of the original hills at the base of Fourth Dynasty Egyptian monuments of the Memphite plateau

Development of Sulfuric Acid Speleogenetic Deposits within Cavernous Middle Eocene Beds: Inference on Hydrocarbon Gas Seepages, Giza Pyramids Plateau, Egypt

Sustainability problems of the Giza pyramids

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