This study applies a variety of semiautomatic and automatic methods, for the interpretation of aeromagnetic survey data with the aid of geological data of the Northern Western Desert of Egypt. Separation of reduced to the north magnetic pole (RTP) anomalies using Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT) technique was carried out in order to identify the residual local structures from those of regional nature. In addition, the application of first and second vertical derivatives method on the aeromagnetic data effectively removes the response of the dykes and enhances earlier structural and lithological features. Moreover, the analytic signal method was used for automatic interpretation of aeromagnetic data, whereas the locations and approximate geometries of magnetic sources can be deduced.
The integrated information, obtained from the application of different qualitative and quantitative interpretation techniques to magnetic survey data with all available geologic information, were used to portray the basement configuration and show the regional structural framework of the basement complex of the study area. The most predominant structural trends are the NE-SW, E-W, NW-SE and N-S directions. The area includes four major uplifted zones and three major basins. The four uplifted zones are Salum high, Qattara high, AGNES high, and Siwa Oasis high. While Matrouh basin, Faghur - Ghazalat basin and Abu-Gharadig basin, which represent the main features in the study area, are structurally-controlled. The fault trends, which bound these main features, are oriented in general NE to EW directions. They are developed originally as a result of the deep-seated crustal extensional tectonics that affected northern Egypt during the Mesozoic Era. The depth to basement rocks was found to range from 0.9 to 4.0 km.