Shear-Related Gold Ores in the Wadi Hodein Shear Belt, South Eastern Desert of Egypt: Analysis of Remote Sensing, Field and Structural Data

Space-borne multispectral and radar data were used to comprehensively map geological contacts, lithologies structural elements controlling gold-bearing quartz veins in the Wadi Hodein area Egypt. In this study, enhancement algorithms, band combinations, math (BM), Principal Component Analysis (PCA), decorrelation stretch mineralogical indices applied Landsat-8 OLI, ASTER ALOS PALSAR following a pre-designed flow chart. Together with field observations, results of image processing techniques exported GIS environment subsequently fused generate potentiality map. The shear belt is ductile corridor developed response non-coaxial convergence northward escape tectonics that accompanied final stages terrane accretion cratonization (~680–600 Ma) northern part Arabian–Nubian Shield. evolution encompassed protracted ~E–W shortening recurrent sinistral transpression as manifested by east-dipping thrusts high-angle reverse zones. Gold-mineralized zones cut heterogeneously deformed ophiolites metavolcaniclastic rocks attenuate around granodioritic intrusions. gold mineralization event was evidently epigenetic metamorphic likely attributed rejuvenated tectonism circulation hot fluids during transpressional deformation. superposition NW–SE folds NNW-trending, kilometer scale tight reclined shaped overall framework belt. Shallow NNW- or SSE-plunging mineral stretching lineations on steeply dipping planes depict considerable simple component. complying observations analysis suggest coincidence zones, hydrothermal alteration crosscutting dikes study could be considered model criterion exploration for new targets.