GORS 1(16) The importance of remote sensing techniques to study tectonic and topography of the Arabian rift zone, and its water reflections

Abstract

Abstract: This research reviews the features of the, Arabian rift zone, which extends from Aqaba Gulf in the south to the Turkish territories in the north passing over more than 1100 km. We have studied this area using remote sensing techniques and other data by setting many of tectonic schemes with various scales and a number of the topographic sections for the rift zone. These sections provide new data about the structure of the Great Rift Valley and how it developed by defining the faults, the linear properties, the ring structures, and the differentiation of volcanic eruptions that accompanied the rifting. These schemes have shown the great importance of the rifting in forming the water resources due to the large change of the terrain which ranges between 412m under the sea surface to 1200m as well as the high mountains in the surrounding areas such as the series of eastern, western Lebanon, Harmon, and coastal mountains in Syria, which reach up to 3000 meters, and are covered with snow at the tops for most of the year. This led to the formation of many seasonal and perennial rivers in Syria, Lebanon and Jordan such as Jordan River, Al Asi, Southern and Northern Big Rivers, Barada, AlAwaj, Alletani, Wazzani, Hasbani and Banias rivers well as many other small springs and rivers, in addition to the formation of fresh water lakes such as Tiberia Lake and salt water, such as Dead Sea where extracting salts returns with economic benefits. The secondary faults that accompanied the rifting have formed the rivers that recharge the aquifers in different areas as many of the fresh water springs along with the coast line in Syria and Lebanon.  This research shows the tectonic features of the rifting, as well as, the topographic characteristics of the rifting line or the west and east surrounding areas, which led to the formation of the Dead Sea and some fresh-water lakes, rivers of large, medium and small sizes with different abundance. In addition to the formation of the aquifers and the many of the fresh water springs in the sea. All this has led to the securing of important water resources for millions of people living in these areas, whether in Syria, Lebanon, Palestine or Jordan. Any scarcity of these resources has a dramatic impact on people's lives.