3D analysis of the MT data for resistivity structure beneath the Ashute geothermal site, Central Main Ethiopian Rift (CMER).

The Ashute geothermal field (around Butajira) is located near the western rift escarpment of the Central Main Ethiopian Rift (CMER), about 5-10 km west of the axial part of the Silti Debre Zeit fault zone (SDFZ). Several active volcanoes and caldera edifices are hosted in the CMER. Most of the geothermal occurrences in the region are often associated with these active volcanoes. The magnetotelluric (MT) method has become the most widely used geophysical technique for the characterization of geothermal systems. It enables the determination of the subsurface electrical resistivity distribution at depth. The high resistivity under the conductive clay products of hydrothermal alteration related to the geothermal reservoir is the main target in the geothermal system. The subsurface electrical structure of the Ashute geothermal site was analyzed using the 3D inversion model of MT data, and the results are endorsed in this work. The ModEM inversion code was used to recover the 3D model of subsurface electrical resistivity distribution. According to the 3D inversion resistivity model, the subsurface directly beneath the Ashute geothermal site can be represented by three major geoelectric horizons. On top, a relatively thin resistive layer (>100 Ωm) represents the unaltered volcanic rocks at shallow depths. This is underlain by a conductive body (< 10 Ωm), possibly associated with the presence of clay horizon (smectite and illite/chlorite zones), resulting from the alteration of volcanic rocks within the shallow subsurface. In the third bottom geoelectric layer, the subsurface electrical resistivity gradually increases to an intermediate range (10-46 Ωm). This could be related to the formation of high-temperature alteration minerals such as chlorite and epidote at depth, suggesting the presence of a heat source. As in a typical geothermal system, the rise in electrical resistivity under the conductive clay bed (products of hydrothermal alteration) may indicate the presence of a geothermal reservoir. Otherwise, no exceptional low resistivity (high conductivity) anomaly is detected at depth.

Mapping the spatial variability of subsurface resistivity by using vertical electrical sounding data and geostatistical analysis at Borena Area, Ethiopia.

Vertical electrical sounding survey has been done to map and visualize resistivity distribution at Borena basin. The area is situated in Southern Main Ethiopian Rift, where Rirriba rift, Mega rift and associated fractures define the structural setting of the area. It is covered by Quaternary deposits, Quaternary and Tertiary basaltic rocks and Precambrian metamorphic rocks. Bullal basaltic formation outstretch in the Rirriba rift and it is thought to be potential groundwater aquifer. About 288 Vertical Electrical Sounding data were collected. Inflection and extreme points were used to identify characteristic points. Variograms are modeled and kriging interpolation is used to map distribution of resistivity, determined from characteristic points, in the area. Very low to low resistivity variations are mapped in northern end of the study area, whereas medium to moderately resistive ground are mapped in the middle and southern part of the area. The low resistivity horizon at the shallow subsurface could be due to salinity since the area occupy numerous saline craters and maars. Approximate mapping of large sets of Vertical Electrical Sounding data with geostatistical treatment has facilitated the interpretation and provided a sound picture of the subsurface. • Inflection and extreme points were extracted from smothed VES curves to identify characteristic points. • Variograms are modeled and kriging interpolation is used to map 3D distribution of resistivity data.

Refraction seismic complementing electrical method in subsurface characterization for tunneling in soft pyroclastic, (a case study).

The paper highlights the potential drawback of mapping a single geophysical property for subsurface characterization in potential engineering sites. As an exemplary case study, we present the geophysical survey conducted along the surface projection of a tunnel in the quaternary volcanic terrain of the Main Ethiopia Rift. Initially, geoelectrical mapping involving 12 Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) and a short Electrical Resistivity Imaging (ERI) line, was carried out. The 1D geoelectric model indicates that the formation resistivity at tunnel zone varies from 50 to 500 Ω∙m. The corresponding value on 2D model, (>350 Ω∙m), is also compatible. Based on limited available geological information, the geoelectric horizon was attributed to weathered and variably saturated ignimbrite. Following unexpected encounter during excavation, refraction seismic and core drilling were carried out for additional insights. Tomographic analysis of the seismic arrival times revealed that below a depth of 45 m, (tunnel zone), the velocity substratum is marked by a range, (1200-1800 m/s). Such low velocity range is typical of unconsolidated materials and, thus, cannot rationalize the geoelectrical attribution (ignimbrite). In a joint interpretation, the likely formation that may justify the observed range of the electrical resistivity and low P-wave velocity appears to be unwelded pyroclastic deposit (volcanic ash). Eventually, core samples from the tunnel zone confirmed the presence of thick ash flow. However, the unexpected ground conditions encountered at the early phase, due to insufficient information derived from a single geophysical parameter, caused extra cost and considerable delay.

Depth estimates of anomalous subsurface sources using 2D/3D modeling of potential field data: implications for groundwater dynamics in the Ziway-Shala Lakes Basin, Central Main Ethiopian Rift.

Quantitative analysis of potential field data are made in the Ziway-Shala lakes basin over an area bounded by 38°00' E - 39°30' E and 7°00' N - 8°30' N. Most previous geophysical studies in the region under consideration focus on mapping the deep crustal structures and undulation of the Moho depth. Only few studies are targeted at mapping the shallow subsurface structures. The main focus of this paper is mapping geometries of the major lithological and structural units of the shallow subsurface using gravity and magnetic data. The ultimate objective of the research is to understand the hydrogeological dynamics of the region through mapping interfaces geometries. Automatic inversions, 2D joint forward modeling and 3D inversion are the major techniques employed. The 2D Werner de-convolution based on both gravity and magnetic data along the rift axis showed source depths tending to deepen northwards. Source depths estimates determined by Source Parameter Imaging also showed similar tendency. This is further strengthened by the joint 2D forward modeling of gravity and magnetic data which showed the top of the basement is sloping northwards. The result of the 3D gravity interface inversion agrees with results of the above mentioned depth estimation techniques. Finally, the gravity power spectral analysis resulted in two depth estimates, 1.53 km and 2.87 km which approximate the positions of two density interfaces. The shallow depth interface is thought to presumably delineate the low density Fluvio-lacustrine sediments including the rift floor volcanic units and crystalline basement. Our investigation results agree with the results of previous seismic studies which identified low velocity ("sediment-volcanic") horizon in the rift floor with low resolution. The information obtained with regard to water balance of the basin, salinity level of the lakes and the conceptual hydrological flow model appears to reveal that the groundwater flow in the study region is controlled by subsurface structures, particularly, the mapped interface topographies.

Upward continuation and polynomial trend analysis as a gravity data decomposition, case study at Ziway-Shala basin, central Main Ethiopian rift.

The first task in quantitative interpretation of a gravity data is separation of the Bouguer anomaly into its regional and residual components which are respectively related to deep and shallow subsurface geology. The decomposition process is subjective and non-unique as there is no single best approach to approximate the low frequency signature. For example, the use of spectral analysis and upward continuation require the wise choice of slope change location and continuation height respectively, which could be chosen differently by different researchers. This requires a need to work on more than one method and select the best to be applied for a given study area. The "best" choice is made based on the anomaly signature of the underlying geology. In this research, the most frequently used methods such as upward continuation and trend surface analysis methods are used and compared to approximate the regional field in Central Main Ethiopian rift bounded between 38000'-39030'E and 7000'-8030'N. The upward continuation height and the order of trend polynomial surface are first chosen, to approximate the regional gravity field signal. Accordingly, an upward continuation height of 6km and first order polynomial trend surface are chosen to be appropriate. Comparison of the two methods shows that the upward continuation technique reflects the shallow source anomalies of the area better than that of the first order linear trend surface. This outcome is verified against the result obtained based on the first vertical derivative method, spectral analysis depth estimation method, well-log data and surface geology of the area. It is therefore recommended to consider the various existing filtering techniques and choose the best candidate for the separation of the regional and residual components of the observed field.