Ground penetrating radar investigations of active faults and antiquities along the Dead Sea transform in Aqaba and Taba Sabkha, Jordan

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) as a high resolution shallow geophysical tool was used to map the distribution of the subsurface discontinuities and antiquities in Aqaba and Taba sabkha area, Jordan. The unique historic and tectonic location of Aqaba city at the northern end of the Gulf of Aqaba made it a good target for archaeological and tectonic studies using GPR techniques. The shallow fractures and faults pictured by GPR in Aqaba and Taba sabkha area can assist in the evaluation of late Quaternary deformation patterns and help in the assessment of seismic hazards in the region. The survey was effective in the detection of shallow fractures and faults within the study areas. A high level of tectonic activity indicates major recent motion on faults located north of Aqaba and the sabkha area. GPR was also used as a unique nondestructive, noninvasive tool to map the shoreward extent of a Byzantine (4th century) city wall within the city of Aqaba. These data will help archaeologist preserve areas of antiquities within the rapidly developing city of Aqaba.