Evidence from Gravity and Remote Sensing: A Structural High and Neotectonics Activity Associated with the Hydrogeological Divider at the Iraqi-Saudi Border

Information about groundwater resources in arid regions is certainly invaluable. Therefore, this study applied an integrated approach combining geophysical, remote sensing, and hydrogeological data in a GIS framework to analyze groundwater movement patterns and accumulation in the Desert Hydrogeological Region of Iraq, concentrating on the Saffawi area. The methodology incorporated gravity and magnetic data, satellite imagery (Sentinel-2 and ALOS PALSAR), digital elevation models, and a hydrogeological database. Analyses revealed evidence of neotectonic activity in the Saffawi area, marked by structural uplift reflected in positive gravity anomaly and fault activation near the Ediacaran basement. This uplift altered drainage patterns, promoted groundwater infiltration, and reshaped groundwater flow within the Umm Er Radhuma and Tayarat aquifers, forming the interconnected "Safawi Hydrogeological Flow System". The study emphasizes the role of tectonic activity in controlling groundwater dynamics and underscores the importance of multidisciplinary approaches in hydrogeological investigations.