Analysis of Major Surface Structural Features in Marib Sector, Sab'atayn Basin, Yemen: Implications of Tectonic Evolution

Abstract

This study includes major surface structural features in Marib  Sector  of  Sab'atayn  Basin. Detailed field investigations of the study area have revealed a tectonic setting characterized by faults, folds, joints, and dykes. Data of faults indicate that the study area has affected by the tectonics of Najd fault, the rift of the Gulf of Aden, and  the rift of the Red Sea respectively. The folds in Al-Balaq  area were formed as  a result of local deformation which most probably  has been occurred during the Jurassic time. In Ath Thaniyah area, folds were formed as a result of Pan-African tectonics in the study area.  Folds  in  Jabal  Al-Milh  area  have  been  developed locally due to salt tectonics; folds in this area were  found  upon  the  upturned  flanks  of  the Nayfa Formation. Joints were found in two  sets,  first  dominated  set  oriented  to  NW-SE whereas the second trend to ENE-WSW. Subordinate trends of joints are WNW-ESE  and NNE-SSW. Dykes, in the area, are trending to  ENE-WSW, parallel to  the trend  of  the Gulf  of Aden. Gulf of Aden has taken an  old  trend  between  Arabian  Plate  and  Somalia  Plate.  The dykes are older than the Gulf of  Aden trend  which indicates that the Gulf of  Aden developed along Precambrian weak zones between Arabian Plate and Somalia Plate.