Active Faults' Geometry in the Gulf of Aqaba, Southern Dead Sea Fault, Illuminated by Multibeam Bathymetric Data

Detailed knowledge of fault geometry is important for accurate seismic hazard assessment. The Gulf Aqaba, which corresponds to the southern termination 1200-km-long Dead Sea system, remains one least known parts this plate boundary fault, in large part due its location offshore. Classically, Aqaba has been described as a succession three pull-apart basins. Here, building on new multibeam bathymetric survey we provide details about faults at bottom gulf that controls morphology. In particular, identify 50-km-long section shows evidence recent activation. We associate (Aragonese fault) with main ruptured during 1995 magnitude Mw7.3 Nuweiba earthquake. gulf, bathymetry emphasizes strike-slip nature Arnona while dip-slip motion seems be accommodated mostly by located along eastern edge gulf. Considering simple linear and absence any earthquake several centuries, despite an average slip-rate ?5 mm/yr, should considered significant candidate rupture 7 or above near future.