Morphology of the latest quaternary surface-faulting in the Gulf of Elat Region, eastern Sinai

A variety of morphotectonic features bear evidence of neotectonic activity along the Gulf of Elat. These include: stepped topography, deflected channels, fault-line grabens, sag-pond depressions, backtilted fan segments, faulted gravel bars and debris flow deposits. The age of the fault scarps is estimated on the basis of the extent of dissection, the amount of rounding of the crest of the scarps, the scarp gradient, the stage of clast weathering, the intensity of the micro-relief and the stage of soil and desert pavement development. The field data are interpreted and related to the geomorphic time curves suggested by Wallace, by Bucknam and Anderson and by Nash and the seismic hazard implications are discussed. Some criteria suggest a recent age, with ≤ 10,000 yrs B.P. as a frequently recurrent estimate. From the data it is concluded that the Gulf of Elat has definitely been tectonically highly active during the Holocene.