Introduction Of Projects
Over the past two decades, researchers from ESRS were involved in interdisciplinary projects that were funded by various national and international agencies. In addition to the publications that resulted from these efforts, large data sets were also generated. These data sets were archived over the years in separate spatial data bases. Recently such data bases were combined in a global database, and made available on the web for all scientists and users, taking advantage of the Google Maps web interface. Currently our global web-based GIS hosts five main data sets.
The Egyptian Geological Database
A number of projects funded the generation of the database & the data sets that went into it: The efforts in compiling the data, construction of the integrated web-based GIS site, and analysis of the data were funded by three main projects: Sultan, M., Principal Investigator – Assessment and Development of Alternative Water Resources in the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt (NATO Science for Peace and Security)(2007-2010) Sultan, M., Principal Investigator: Developing Renewable Ground Water Resources in Arid Lands: A Pilot Case – The Eastern Desert of Egypt (Global Environmental Facility; United Nations Development Program [UNDP]) (2003-2007) Sultan, M., Principal Investigator: A Web-Based GIS for Egypt’s Geological Datasets (NSF) (2003-2007)
Funding Agencies: NSF, UNDP, NATO
The efforts in compiling the data, construction of the integrated web-based GIS site, and analysis of the data were funded by three main projects:
- Sultan, M., Principal Investigator – Assessment and Development of Alternative Water Resources in the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt (NATO Science for Peace and Security)(2007-2010)
- Sultan, M., Principal Investigator: Developing Renewable Ground Water Resources in Arid Lands: A Pilot Case ? The Eastern Desert of Egypt (Global Environmental Facility; United Nations Development Program [UNDP]) (2003-2007)
- Sultan, M., Principal Investigator: A Web-Based GIS for Egypt?s Geological Datasets (NSF) (2003-2007)
The Tethys Database
Our long-range goal is to build a system that enables fundamental advances in our understanding of collision-related responses – asthenospheric flow, thermal state, and partial melting, and lithospheric shearing, thrusting, rifting, and vertical motions. A better understanding of these relationships is therefore important to the interpretation of earthquake and volcano patterns at the Earth’s surface and has the potential for radically changing our perceptions of continental lithosphere accretion.
Funding Agency: NSF
GRACE
We are developing and applying an interdisciplinary system approach (involving analyses of GRACE gravity, remote sensing, and geochemical data, along with hydrologic modeling) to assess and calibrate GRACE data for monitoring groundwater recharge, discharge, and flow in large-scale aquifers. The Nubian Aquifer of North Africa was chosen as a test site, because its extensive areal distribution allows temporal gravity variations to be detected with accuracy; its hyperarid conditions facilitate calibration of GRACE gravity data; and its potential for demonstrating the utility of GRACE data to resolve issues pertaining to recharge and discharge rates, the magnitude and direction of groundwater flow, and the connectivity of subbasins.
Funded by: NASA Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES)
The Saudi Database
This is a collaborative project to develop a web-based GIS relational database for geological data sets for Saudi Arabia. It will comprise digital topographic, geologic maps, and remote sensing, seismic, geochronologic, geochemical, and isotopic data. We will compile and organize datasets, develop metadata files, and assemble online tools for visualization. The tasks will be conducted jointly by scientists from the Department of Geosciences, Western Michigan University, and King Saud University
Related Research:
M. Sultan, N. Sturchio, S. Al Sefry, A. Milewski, R. Becker, I. Nasr, Z. Sagintayev, Geochemical, isotopic, and remote sensing constraints on the origin and evolution of the Rub Al Khali aquifer system, Arabian Peninsula, Journal of Hydrology, Volume 356, Issues 1-2, 1 July 2008, Pages 70-83, ISSN 0022-1694, DOI: 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2008.04.001.
Mojave Desert
Transcurrent Fault Evaluation for Water Resource Investigation of Este Groundwater Basin:
New research on fault-groundwater interaction in arid regions of the Middle-East has revealed the potential that fault structures can be potential groundwater conduits. Faults are normally viewed as groundwater barriers especially in alluvial systems. The Helendale fault which crosses through the Este Groundwater Basin has always been seen as a barrier to groundwater movement (USGS, 2004). Due to this thought process much of the potential aerial recharge to the basin has been interpreted as being limited. This research will evaluate through both field and laboratory work the processes that govern groundwater movement in and around the Helendale fault within the bedrock.
Funding Agency: Mojave Water Agency
We will be uploading soon the following:
(1) Mesopotamian database funded by: NSF, Award #0455896
(2) The Great Lakes Database
For more information on any of the above topics click here.