Use of Geophysical and Radar Interferometric Techniques to Monitor Land Deformation Associated with the Jazan Salt Diapir, Jazan city, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Using integrated Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) datasets (Envisat: 2003–2009; Sentinel-1: 2014–2018), local gravity surveys, and passive seismic data, we investigated the environmental hazards associated with the rise of the Miocene Jazan salt diapir (JZD; ~ 2 km2) within Jazan city, Saudi Arabia, and identified areas at risk in its immediate surroundings. Our findings include (1) the JZD outcrop and its northern, southern and western bordering areas have been undergoing substantial uplift (up to 4.7 mm/yr), whereas the sabkhas to the east are witnessing subsidence (up to − 7.5 mm/yr); (2) a low Bouguer anomaly (7.5 mGal) was observed over the JZD relative to its surroundings (8.5–12 mGal) with the steepest gradient along its eastern side; (3) strong and clear horizontal/vertical (H/V) spectral ratio peak and high frequency (5–10 Hz) over the JZD outcrop and areas proximal to its western margin, but areas to the east have a weak H/V peak and low frequency (1.5-3 Hz); (4) drilling confirmed presence of a shallow (4 m) salt bedrock layer west of the JZD and the absence of this layer to its east (up to depths of 60 m); (5) uplift patterns along the diapir margins are indicative of near-vertical contact along the JZD eastern margin and less steep contacts along the remaining margins; and (6) additional near-surface diapirs could potentially be identified in the vicinity of the JZD using our integrated approach.

Damage Assessment of a Salt Dome in Jizan, Southwestern Saudi Arabia, Using High Spatial Resolution Remote Sensing Data

“…The analysis of XRD revealed the dominance of gypsum, anhydrite, and halite in the salt dome (Figure 3). The findings of the current study coincide with those of previous studies such as , Basyoni and Aref (2016), Abdelrahman et al (2021), andPankratz et al (2021). Notably, gypsum and halite salts are active participants in land subsidence and have caused severe damage to buildings in different areas in the world (Romanoff, 1957;Johnson, 2008a;Johnson, 2008b).…”

“…surrounding area. It forms rolling hilly terrain in the old city of Jizan (Pankratz et al, 2021). The salt dome is characterized by a thick evaporite succession at the bottom consisting of rock salt and gypsum.…”

“…Their results demonstrated that extensive variation in topsoil profiles in terms of lithology and dynamic and geotechnical properties can cause engineering problems in new or renovated buildings, roads, and infrastructure. Pankratz et al (2021) used integrated Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar datasets, local gravity surveys, and passive seismic data, to assess the environmental hazards associated with salt diapir in Jazan city, and identified the associated risks in the immediate surroundings. Ibrahim et al (2021) investigated the subsurface extension of the salt diapir and deformation in Jizan city using gravity data.…”

Farasan Island of Saudi Arabia confronts the measurable impacts of global warming in 45 years

“…No study has been conducted to assess the role of salt diapirs on shoreline changes on Farahsan Island. A single study conducted on the evaluation of the salt-related land deformation in Jazan city diapir nearly 50 km east of Farahsan island by Pankratz et al 67 revealed large rates of land deformation in the Jazan diapir. The study showed a rise in diapir's elevation in the center up to 4.7 mm/year while subsiding the low-relief flats by − 7.5 mm/year.…”

Epidemiological screening and serotyping analysis of dengue fever in the Southwestern region of Saudi Arabia

“…The city of Jazan comprises 17 governates and 32 towns. Although these locations differ in heights and location, their demographic, agricultural, educational, cultural, housing, healthcare and environmental qualities are virtually same ( Abo-Elmagd et al, 2018 , Alsheikh et al, 2017 , Pankratz et al, 2021 ).…”