UPDATED! Assistant Lecturer, Hadi El-Shourbagi @HadiElSh1: A Day in the GeoLife Series

Hadi El-Shourbagi, Assistant Lecturer of Geology, Minia University, Egypt

NAME: HADI EL-SHOURBAGI (هادى الشوربجى)

CURRENT TITLE:  Assistant Lecturer at the Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Minia University, Egypt

AREA OF EXPERTISE:  Structural Geology, Tectonics, Geological Applications of Remote Sensing, Field Geology, Mineral Exploration, Petrology, Tectonic Geomorphology and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

YEARS EXPERIENCE:  6

EDUCATION:  I am currently looking for a good PhD position. MSc in Geology (Minia University, 2015).

What’s your job like?

My job strikes a wonderful balance across the teaching-research nexus in the geosciences. Among my preferred disciplines in the geosciences, I have chosen to talk about both paleostress reconstructions and geological applications of remote sensing. In paleostress analysis, we use fault plane and slip line orientations, including slip senses to reconstruct the principal paleostress axes σ1 (maximum compression), σ2 (intermediate compression) and σ3 (minimum compression) and determine the ratio of principal stress differences R=(σ2 – σ3)/(σl – σ3) to establish the prevailing tectonic regime during a specific period of the past. Other brittle structures are also useful indicators, as they provide additional constraints and can also be used for the determination of stress tensors. For example, large dyke swarms, which are one of the best manifestations of the extensional events in the geologic record, can be used as stress indicators and bear some information on the stress stage from which they are derived. Dykes tend to develop perpendicular to σ3 and parallel to σ1. In the Google Earth image below, there are a number of NE-SW mafic dykes that invade the Precambrian rocks of Sinai, Egypt. This indicates NW-SE extension (σ3) during the time in which these dykes invaded the Precambrian rocks.

NE-SW magic dykes invade the Precambrian rocks of Sinai, Egypt. 

Remote sensing techniques applied to geological survey, in my opinion, have no substitutes. We use different satellite data to get precious information about our target area. I believe analysis of remotely sensed data is very important, because it allows for fast exploring of the target area and provides information that are not easily obtained during ordinary field work. This helps save time during field trips for collecting other desired data such as, for example, many fault slip data which will be used further in paleostress reconstructions.

What’s a typical day like?

I am an assistant lecturer for the Geology Department, Faculty of Science at Minia University. So, I usually go to the Geology Department building every day (except holidays) at 8:00 a.m. to begin my first practical class. Most times are full of practical classes, but I usually find time to prepare and develop practical teaching materials. Other times are slightly freed up for my research work. I explain exercises that form an element of an undergraduate course of study and train my students how to use laboratory tools (including remote sensing and structural software packages, polarizing microscopes, compasses, other surveying instruments, etc.). I love my job when I assist and nurture my students as they pursue their goals.

What’s fun?

Some people consider remote sensing as Earth art, but I consider it as magic! Yes it is magic, because remote sensing products help analysts to get accurate and detailed information with less effort and time. For geologists, the archived Landsat scene is one of the most widely used data toward locating or identifying minerals, rocks and other features in their study areas. But I like focusing on other type of remote sensing products which may be related to GIS — the digital elevations models (DEMs). Nowadays, the DEMs are often used in tectono-geomorphologic studies. We auto extract and delineate the watershed boundaries and the stream networks from the DEMs. These drainage networks reflect often the regional or even the local tectonic framework.

What’s challenging?

Applications of remote sensing in geology are developing very fast due to the rapid increase in the technology curve. The challenge in this discipline is to keep yourself up to date.

What’s your advice to students?

Yes you can… but only if you have the sufficient grit!

Hadi El-Shourbagi after his MSc defence with Professor Mohamed Mostafa