Structure and fracture characterization of the Jizan group: Implications for subsurface CO2 basalt mineralization

The coastal region of southwest Saudi Arabia contains a thick sequence Late Oligocene basalts in the Jizan Group, which accumulated along continental rift that preceded opening Red Sea. These are targeted for disposal CO 2 emitted from industrial sources by subsurface carbon mineralization processes. potential Group depends on having adequate permeability fracture networks capable conducting injected fluids away wellbores. generally lack primary due to hydrothermal alteration, but cross-cut dense network fractures. In this paper, we describe and interpret structural geology area based field geophysical data, characterize development Group. comprises bimodal suite 30–21 Ma volcanic volcaniclastic rocks lacustrine sediments valley similar East African rift. It consists predominantly basaltic lavas were fed swarms sheeted basalt dikes intruded parallel axis. Structurally is composed half grabens bounded west antithetic normal faults, east megaflexure. Fractures characterized ground aerial digital photogrammetry outcrops. Mean P21 intensities 12 scattered meter scale outcrops range 5–54 m −1 , demonstrates highly fractured. Fracture directions multimodal. dominant trend 140–160 N, dike therefore paleo-rift Additional conjugate orthogonal sets also recognized. presence pervasive fracture-based will facilitate injection mineral carbonation dioxide mafic region.