Abstract. The near-surface groundwater aquifer that threatened the Great
Pyramids of Giza, Egypt, was investigated using integrated geophysical
surveys. A total of 10 electrical resistivity imaging, 26 shallow seismic
refraction, and 19 ground-penetrating radar surveys were conducted in the Giza
Plateau. Collected data for each method were evaluated by state-of-the art
processing and modeling techniques. A three-layer model depicts the
subsurface layers and better delineates the groundwater aquifer and water
table elevation. The resistivity of the aquifer layer and seismic velocity vary
between 40 and 80 Ωm and between 1500 and 2500 m s−1, respectively. The average water table elevation is about
+15 m, which is safe for the Great Sphinx, but it is still subjected to potential
hazards from the Nazlet El-Samman suburb where the water table elevation
reaches 17 m. A shallower water table at the Valley Temple and the tomb of Queen
Khentkawes,
with a low topographic relief, represents severe hazards. It can be concluded that
a perched groundwater table is detected in the elevated topography to the west and
southwest that might be due to runoff and capillary seepage.
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