GEOLOGY OF GEBEL QATTAR BATHOLITH, CENTRAL EASTERN DESERT, EGYPT

Using Multi-Spectral Scanner (MSS) Landsat images of bands 5 and 7, colour stretched enhancement images and aerial photographs, it was possible for the first time to identify three different types of granites within the Gebel Qattar batholith (central Eastern Desert, Egypt), named G1, G2 and G3. The last two represent two successive granitic intrusive phases, G2 being earlier. G1 represents a border facies comprising highly granitized metavolcanic country rocks. This study reveals that these three types of granitic rocks arc greatly different in their geomorphological features-surface texture, relief, weathering products and shape of peaks. Moreover, the structural elements and dyke swarms also have different trends and magnitudes in the three granitic types. The petrographic investigations showed that G2 is composed of two feldspars (subsolvus) and G3 is composed mainly of one alkali feldspar (hypersolvus). Uranium and molybdenum mineralizations are associated with G3.