RESEARCH PROJECTS 
 ARTICLES, BOOKS AND REPORTS 
 ABSTRACTS, CONFERENCES AND PROCEEDINGS 
 MASTER’S THESES 
 
 

RESEARCH PROJECTS
 

Petrology and possible origin of carbonate dikes from Lebanon

The dissected carbonate platforms of Lebanon were deposited on the continental margin at the edge between the Arabian-Nubian shield and the open Tethys sea. Rare carbonate dykes occurring in a setting similar to that reported from western Australia have been identified within carbonate platforms in central-western Lebanon. Field, petrographic, and electron microprobe investigations are aimed at determining the origin of these carbonate dykes. One conference abstract published, and one paper is in preparation. A.M. Abdel-Rahman. (Supported by URB.)
 
 

Geochemical evolution of the Mount El-Sibai granitic complex, eastern Egypt

Several alkaline granitic complexes (including Mount El-Sibai complex) were emplaced within the Pan-African belt exposed in eastern Egypt. This complex is made up of highly differentiated, hypersolvus, A-type granitic rocks. Chemically, it is enriched in the HFSE and the rare earth elements and clearly reflects an anorogenic, extensional tectonic setting. Geochemical modeling is aimed at determining the source of magma and the nature of the fractionating assemblage. Work in progress. A.M. Abdel-Rahman and M. El-Kibbi.
 
 

Petrogenesis of plume-related basalts from the Quebec-Vermont region

Basaltic rocks of the Tibbit Hill Formation form a large crustal segment exposed along a belt about 250 km long in the Quebec-Vermont region. Chemical features of the rocks are typical of within-plate basalts and suggest a fertile or plume-related mantle source. Volcanism associated with an Iapetan RRR triple junction, occurred shortly before the onset of seafloor spreading. Geochemical modeling shows that the magma was produced by 2.5% partial melting of a garnet-bearing primitive mantle source (garnet lherzolite). One abstract published, and one paper is in press. A. M. Abdel-Rahman and P.S. Kumarapeli*. (Supported by URB.)
 
 

Evolution of the Flowers River plutonic-volcanic caldera complex, Labrador, Canada

The Flowers River caldera complex of eastern Labrador, Canada is made up of a number of ash flow tuffs ranging in composition from intermediate to highly felsic peralkaline compositions. These pyroclastic rocks are characterized by extreme enrichment in the rare metals (Zr, Y, Nb) and the rare earth elements. Ongoing petrological-geochemical investigations are aimed at determining the sequence of emplacement of this structure and the magmatic processes that led to its evolution and its enrichment in these strategic metals. Work in progress. A.M. Abdel-Rahman and R.J. Miller*.
 
 

Origin of Mesozoic basalts from central Lebanon

This ongoing research project aims to determine the source and evolution of Mesozoic basaltic rocks from Lebanon. Petrographic studies showed that the basaltic rocks are mineralogically composed of olivine-augite-plagioclase and Fe-Ti oxides. Major and trace element chemical data reveal the alkaline nature of the basaltic rocks. The rocks are relatively enriched in the incompatible elements and are within-plate basalts. Petrogenetic modeling based on rare earth elements will help to determine the exact mantle source material and to evaluate the final depth of magma emplacement. One abstract published, and one paper is in preparation. A.M. Abdel-Rahman and K. Noubani. (Supported by URB.)
 
 

Determination of groundwater residence times in the First Water Tower of Lebanon using environmental radioisotopes

Groundwater is the major source of water in Lebanon. One of the major groundwater aquifers (reservoirs) in Lebanon is the First Water Tower, which occurs in the geologic formation of the Kesrouane limestone. The objective of this research is to evaluate groundwater resources in this aquifer using environmental radioisotopes, such as tritium. This will be accomplished by determining the mean residence (transit) time of groundwater. The mean residence time provides valuable information such as the volume of groundwater available for pumping, which is very critical for the management of groundwater resources. Work in progress. I. Amin. (Supported by URB.)
 
 

A simple approach for the calculation of leakage induced by pumping semi-confined aquifers

Quantification of leakage is very important in remediation (cleanup) of contaminated aquifers and in management of clean (unpolluted) aquifers. Leakage induced by pumping leaky aquifers is calculated by a simple approach. The proposed approach determines the volume and average rate of leakage using only two slopes of time-drawdown data plotted on semi-logarithmic graphs. These are the slopes before and after the start of leakage. The approach is applied to four examples. The obtained results are in close agreement with those determined by another approach. However, in addition to its simplicity, the proposed approach has major advantages over the other approach. A manuscript is currently in preparation. I. Amin.
 
 

Determination of leaky aquifers’ parameters from the slopes of time-drawdown data affected by leakage

A simple method is developed for the determination of the transmissivity and storativity of leaky aquifers using the slopes of time-drawdown data affected by leakage. Application of the proposed method is very simple since these slopes are readily obtainable from semi-logarithmic graphs of time-drawdown data. The method avoids all the restrictive and unrealistic assumptions required by other existing methods that are currently used for this purpose. Therefore, the parameters (transmissivity and storativity) determined by the existing methods are less reliable than those determined by the proposed method. Work in progress. I. Amin.
 
 

Structure and tectonics of Lebanon

This ongoing project examines the complexity of major and meso-structures associated with the Dead Sea transform fault in Lebanon. In Lebanon the N/S Dead Sea transform changes its orientation (N30º) and the resultant stresses have led to the development of a restraining bend. Deformation at the restraining bend is compartmentalised into strike-slip motion along the major faults and compression in the form of in-line folds. Rotation is thus localised and minimal. Neoactivity along the major faults has been investigated in an attempt to determine which of the faults forms the present day plate boundary. This has obvious implications for seismic risk in Lebanon and the region. The results of this work have led to four articles, two of which have been published and two of which are in press. (Supported by Natural Environment Research Council, UK). R.W.H. Butler*, S. Spencer, and H.M. Griffiths*.
 
 

Calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy of the Upper Cretaceous – Paleocene-Eocene succession of the Chekka Marls (N. Lebanon)

The Chekka Formation (chalky-marly) is found in the low-lying region of the Lebanese coastal areas, the South Lebanon plateau, and the Bekaa. Its total thickness ranges from 100 to 500m in the Chekka area. The importance of studying the stratigraphy of Late Mesozoic rocks in the Middle East in general arises from the prevalence of source rocks exceptionally rich in hydrocarbons in some areas. In addition, the Cretaceous/ Paleogene boundary marks a widespread mass extinction, the origin of which is highly debated. The most detailed geological maps available give a very broad age range (Senonian? to Eocene) to the Chekka Formation (C6), with a time span up to 50 million years. This research is a biostratigraphic study using calcareous nannofossils. Its results will aid in improving the stratigraphic resolution of this formation in a well-exposed section in the Chekka area, and better locate the Mesozoic/Cenozoic boundary in this stratigraphic succession. Work in progress. A.T. Haidar and J. Hawi.
 
 

The geomorphology and seismicity of the Roum fault area

In this project, the author integrated the Seismicity and Bouguer gravity anomaly data with the geomorphology and other geological aspects of the Roum fault and its northern extension in Eqlim-el-Kharroub area. A paper entitled “The geomorphology and seismicity of the Roum fault as one of the active branches of the Dead Sea Fault in Lebanon” is submitted for publication. K. Khair.
 
 

Regional time and magnitude predictable models and seismic hazard zoning of the eastern Mediterranean region

In this study, the author reviews the original and secondary sources of data on historical earthquakes and analyzes the discrepancies related to occurrence times, magnitude and epicentral location. K. Khair. (Supported by URB.)
 
 

The P-wave velocity of unconsolidated material

This project started at the Colorado School of Mines (Spring 1994) with Dr. A.W. Ibrahim. We have studied the velocity of elastic waves in low pressure unconsolidated material. A paper entitled “The velocity of elastic P waves in unconsolidated material under low pressures” has been published in the Journal of Environmental and Engineering Geophysics, 1999, Vol. 4, issue 1. K. Khair and A.W. Ibrahim*.
 
 

Meso-fractures analysis of north Lebanon

The meso-fractures of northern Lebanon have been used to determine the stress fields responsible for the structural development of the area. Results have shown that the structures are related to both stresses associated with the Dead Sea transform fault and the Syrian Arc. The results of this work will be written up shortly. S. Spencer and I. Bou Jawdeh.
 
 

The role of the E-W faults of northern Lebanon

The extent, nature and kinematics of the E-W faults of northern Lebanon have been examined in detail. The results have shown that these dominantly dextral strike-slip faults are actively accommodating the continuing compression within the northern sector of the Lebanese restraining bend. The results of this work will be written up shortly. S. Spencer and M. Gedeon.
 
 
 
 

ARTICLES, BOOKS AND REPORTS

Abdel-Rahman, A.M. and Kumarapeli, P.S.*, Geochemistry of mantle-related intermediate rocks from the Tibbit Hill volcanic suite, Quebec Appalachians. Mineralogical Magazine, 62, 487-500, 1998.

Amin, I.E. and Campana, M.E*., Analysis of test pumping under conditions of variable viscosity recharge. In Groundwater in theUrban Environment, Vol. 1, Problems, Processes and Management, ed. Chilton, J. et al., 81-84. Rotterdam, Netherlands: A.A. Balkema, 1997.

Amin, I.E. and Carlton, E.G.*, Calculation of induced groundwater recharge from the slopes of time-drawdown data. In Gambling with Groundwater— Physical, Chemical, and Biological Aspects of Aquifer-Stream Relations, ed. J.V. Brahana, et al., 675-680. St. Paul, Minnesota, USA: American Institute of Hydrology, 1998.

Butler R.W.H.*, Spencer S. and Griffiths H.M.*, Transcurrent fault activity on the Dead Sea Transform in Lebanon and its implications for plate tectonics and seismic hazard. Journal of the Geological Society, London, 154, 757-760. 1997.

———, The structural response to evolving plate kinematics during transpression: evolution of the Lebanese restraining bend of the Dead Sea Transform. In Continental Transpressional and Transtentional Tectonics, ed. Holdsworth, R.E., Strachan, R.A. & Dewey, J.F., 81-106. London: Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 135, 1998.

Khair, K. and C. Skokan C.*, A model study of the effect of salination on ground-water resistivity. Journal of Environmental and Engineering Geophysics, 2, 223-231, 1998.

Meldrum*, A., Abdel-Rahman, A.M., Martin*, R.F. and Wodicka*, N., The nature, age and petrogenesis of the Cartier Batholith, northern flank of the Sudbury structure, Ontario. Precambrian Research, 82, 265-285, 1997

Spencer S., Smith D.K.*, Cann J.R.*, Linn J.* and McAllister E.*, Structure and stability of non-transform discontinuities on the mid-Atlantic Ridge between 24º N and 30º N. Marine Geophysical Researches, 19, 339-362, 1997.

Warner, S.*, Martin, R.F.*, and Abdel-Rahman, A.M., Apatite as a monitor of fractionation, degassing, and metamorphism in the Sudbury igneous complex, Ontario. Canadian Mineralogist, 36, 981-999, 1998.
 
 
 
 

———, Petrological and geochemical evolution of intermediate volcanic rocks from the Tibbit Hill volcanic suite, Quebec Appalachians. Geological Association of Canada - Mineralogical Association of Canada Program with Abstracts, 22, A1, 1997.

Amin, I.E., Stoppelmann, P.E.*, Grannell, R.B.*, and Francis, R.D.*, Improving groundwater modeling by augmenting limited hydrogeologic data with geophysical data: Scope of hydrogeologic investigation and data collected. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, CordilleranSection, Long Beach, California, USA, 30 (5), A3, 1998.

Grannell, R.B.*, Stoppelmann, P.E.*, Amin, I.E., and Francis, R.D.*, Improving groundwater modeling by augmenting limited hydrogeologic data with geophysical data: Geophysical constraints using gravity and seismic refraction. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, CordilleranSection, Long Beach, California, USA, 30 (5), A16, 1998.

Haidar, A.T., Calcareous phytoplankton dynamics at Bermuda (N. Atlantic). Information Bulletin of the Earth Sciences, GEOINFO, Switzerland,14, 16-18, 1998.

Haidar, A.T. and Thierstein, H.R.*, Calcareous phytoplankton dynamics at Bermuda (N. Atlantic). European Union of Geosciences, EUG 9, Strasbourg—France, 1997 Abstract Supplement No.1, Terra Nova 9, 602-603, 1997.

Khair, K. and Tsokas, G.*, The Eastern Mediterranean crust by multiple source Werner deconvolution estimates for Bouguer gravity anomalies. Proceedings of the 29^th General Assembly of the International Association of Seismology and Physics of the Earth’s Interior (IASPEI 97), 283, Thessaloniki, Greece, 1997.

Thierstein, H.R.,* Cortes, M.Y.* and Haidar, A.T., Changes in planktic ecosystems, a long-term (top-down) view. Supto EOS. Transactions, American Geophysical Union, San Francisco, 97 (45), F488, 1998.
 
 
 
 

Gedeon, M., Structural analysis of latitudinal faults in the Mount Lebanon north of Beirut: Their kinematics and their role in the tectonic evolution of Lebanon (1999). S. Spencer

Labaky, W., A hydrogeological and environmental assessment of the Faouar-Antelias catchment (1998). C. Walley.