A preliminary Geological and Generalized Stratigraphy of Western Margin of Northern Afar Depression, Dallol Area, Northern Ethiopia

Hagos, Miruts; Konka, Bheemalingeswara; Ahmed, Jemal

doi:10.4314/mejs.v8i1.1

Cited by 11 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…The Dallol geothermal area (14°14′21″N; 40°17′55″E) is located in the northern part of the Danakil Depression 5 . This is a narrow lowland salt plain (up to 124 m below sea level) running inland, quasi-parallel to the coast of the Red Sea (Fig.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The hydrothermalism of the Dallol area was possibly generated by a phreatic explosion in 1926. Since then volcanic episodes, seismicity and hydrothermal activity have been reported in the area 5 . As a consequence of geothermal activity 7,9 several minerals, for example, pyrolusite, chlorargyrite, wurtzite and halite, precipitate forming colourful chimneys (Fig.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Ultra-small microorganisms in the polyextreme conditions of the Dallol volcano, Northern Afar, Ethiopia

Gómez

Cavalazzi

Rodríguez

et al. 2019

Sci Rep

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The Dallol geothermal area in the northern part of the Danakil Depression (up to 124–155 meter below sea level) is deemed one of the most extreme environments on Earth. The area is notable for being part of the Afar Depression, an incipient seafloor-spreading center located at the triple junction, between Nubian, Somali and Arabian plates, and for hosting environments at the very edge of natural physical-chemical extremities. The northern part of the Danakil Depression is dominated by the Assale salt plain (an accumulation of marine evaporite deposits) and hosts the Dallol volcano. Here, the interaction between the evaporitic deposit and the volcanisms have created the unique Dallol hot springs, which are highly acidic (pH ~ 0) and saline (saturation) with maximum temperatures ranging between 90 and 109 °C. Here we report for the first time evidence of life existing with these hot springs using a combination of morphological and molecular analyses. Ultra-small structures are shown to be entombed within mineral deposits, which are identified as members of the Order Nanohaloarchaea. The results from this study suggest the microorganisms can survive, and potential live, within this extreme environment, which has implications for understanding the limits of habitability on Earth and on (early) Mars.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ultra-small microorganisms in the polyextreme conditions of the Dallol volcano, Northern Afar, Ethiopia

Gómez

Cavalazzi

Rodríguez

et al. 2019

Sci Rep

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“…(c) Two contrasting structural interpretations for the SE Garsat graben margin, S1 being the interpretation by Kazmin et al (1978) involving a faulted contact, whereas Williams (2016) proposes a halfgraben architecture with a sedimentary contact on the basis of data from Garland, (1980) (S2). Hagos et al (2016) and Le Gall et al (2018) support the latter option. (Approximate) section locations are indicated in (b).…”

Section: Structural Mappingmentioning

confidence: 98%

Structural Analysis of the Western Afar Margin, East Africa: Evidence for Multiphase Rotational Rifting

et al. 2020

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The Afar region in East Africa represents a key location to study continental breakup. We present an integrated structural analysis of the Western Afar Margin (WAM) aiming to better understand rifted margin development and the role of plate rotation during rifting. New structural information from remote sensing, fieldwork, and earthquake data sets reveals that the N‐S striking WAM is still actively deforming and is characterized by NNW‐SSE normal faulting as well as a series of marginal grabens. Seismicity distribution analysis and the first‐ever borehole‐calibrated sections of this developing passive margin show recent slip concentrated along antithetic faults. Tectonic stress parameters derived from earthquake focal mechanisms reveal different extension directions along the WAM (82°N), in Afar (66°N) and in the Main Ethiopian Rift (108°N). Fault slip analysis along the WAM yields the same extension direction. Combined with GPS data, this shows that current tectonics in Afar is dominated by the local rotation of the Danakil Block, considered to have occurred since 11 Ma. Earlier stages of Afar development (since 31–25 Ma) were most likely related to the large‐scale rotation of the Arabian plate. Various authors have proposed scenarios for the evolution of the WAM. Any complete model should consider, among other factors, the multiphase tectonic history and antithetic fault activity of the margin. The findings of this study are not only relevant for a better understanding of the WAM but also provide insights into the role of multiphase rotational extension during rifting and passive margin formation in general.

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“…Rifting in the Afar region started during the Miocene, about 30 Ma, and is ongoing with a spreading rate of 7-20 mm/year (Nobile et al 2012). Active volcanism and hydrothermal activity take place along a number of NNW-SSE orientated axial volcanic ranges, the most prominent of which is the Erta Ale Range (Barberi et al 1970;Nobile et al 2012;Hagos et al 2016). Predominantly basaltic in composition, the range comprises several volcanoes with Holocene activity, such as Alu-Dalafilla.…”

Section: Geology and Geography Of The Danakil Depression And Dallolmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although a dike intrusion from a magma reservoir from below Dallol has been suggested (Nobile et al 2012), and the updoming of the salt strata and the presence of a heat source of the hydrothermal system imply a connection to dykes or a magma chamber, probably via sills (e.g. Holwerda and Hutchinson 1968;Franzson et al 2015), only scattered presence of volcanic products are reported (Hagos et al 2016). López-García et al (2020) consider Dallol as a (proto)volcano, and Franzson et al (2015) as a magmatically driven hydrothermal system, but a general consensus about the exact evolution and framework of the Dallol dome has not been reached yet.…”

Section: Mount Dallol and Black Mountainmentioning

confidence: 99%

Geoheritage and Resilience of Dallol and the Northern Danakil Depression in Ethiopia

et al. 2020

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The Danakil Depression, located in the northern segment of the Afar rift, is a world-class example of active rifting and the birth of a new ocean. The unique, yet only partially interpreted geothermal system of Dallol in northern Danakil is currently receiving renewed attention by researchers and visitors despite its extreme climate since the recent improvements of infrastructure and the stabilisation of Ethio-Eritrean political relations. Previous studies focused on the general geological description, the economic exploitation of potash reserves and interpretation of the complex hydrothermal processes. Continuing monitoring of geothermal activity has not yet been carried out, and the valorisation of local geoheritage has not accompanied the increased interest of tourists. Here, we present a three-step study in order to demonstrate the unique geological environment and international geoheritage significance of Dallol and Danakil. A three-year-long remote sensing campaign has been done to provide information on improving the resilience of visitors through interpreted, monthly hazard maps, and on following up the changes of geothermal activity. Over the same time, the first geoheritage assessment of the region for 13 geosites was carried out along with a comparative analysis of three quantitative methods (to evaluate the scientific importance and the geotouristic development potential of the area). Finally, with the input of the assessment, a preliminary geoheritage management plan was created for practical consideration by stakeholders toward a geoconservation and geotourism development, as well as a resilience system of this peculiar area.

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A preliminary Geological and Generalized Stratigraphy of Western Margin of Northern Afar Depression, Dallol Area, Northern Ethiopia

Cited by 11 publications

References 14 publications

Ultra-small microorganisms in the polyextreme conditions of the Dallol volcano, Northern Afar, Ethiopia

Ultra-small microorganisms in the polyextreme conditions of the Dallol volcano, Northern Afar, Ethiopia

Structural Analysis of the Western Afar Margin, East Africa: Evidence for Multiphase Rotational Rifting

Geoheritage and Resilience of Dallol and the Northern Danakil Depression in Ethiopia

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