Tectonic Setting of the Kenya Rift in the Nakuru Area, Based on Geophysical Prospecting
In this paper, we present results of tectonic and geophysical investigations in the Kenya Rift valley, in the Nakuru area. We compiled a detailed geological map of the area based on published earlier works, well data and satellite imagery. The map was then integrated with original fieldwork and cros...
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MDPI AG
2021-02-01
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| Series: | Geosciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3263/11/2/80 |
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| author | Paolo Conti Marco Pistis Stefano Bernardinetti Alessio Barbagli Andrea Zirulia Lisa Serri Tommaso Colonna Enrico Guastaldi Giorgio Ghiglieri |
| author_facet | Paolo Conti Marco Pistis Stefano Bernardinetti Alessio Barbagli Andrea Zirulia Lisa Serri Tommaso Colonna Enrico Guastaldi Giorgio Ghiglieri |
| author_sort | Paolo Conti |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In this paper, we present results of tectonic and geophysical investigations in the Kenya Rift valley, in the Nakuru area. We compiled a detailed geological map of the area based on published earlier works, well data and satellite imagery. The map was then integrated with original fieldwork and cross sections were constructed. In key areas, we then performed geophysical survey using Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT), Hybrid Source Audio MagnetoTelluric (HSAMT), and single station passive seismic measurements (HVSR). In the study area, a volcano-sedimentary succession of the Neogene-Quaternary age characterized by basalts, trachytes, pyroclastic rocks, and tephra with intercalated lacustrine and fluvial deposits crops out. Faulting linked with rift development is evident and occurs throughout the area crosscutting all rock units. We show a rotation of the extension in this portion of the Kenya rift with the NE–SW extension direction of a Neogene-Middle Pleistocene age, followed by the E–W extension direction of an Upper Pleistocene-Present age. Geophysical investigations allowed to outline main lithostratigraphic units and tectonic features at depth and were also useful to infer main cataclasites and fractured rock bodies, the primary paths for water flow in rocks. These investigations are integrated in a larger EU H2020 Programme aimed to produce a geological and hydrogeological model of the area to develop a sustainable water management system. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T00:58:00Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c20f179c4ddb4521b367f3a82af6f02e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-3263 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T00:58:00Z |
| publishDate | 2021-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Geosciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-c20f179c4ddb4521b367f3a82af6f02e2023-12-11T16:47:25ZengMDPI AGGeosciences2076-32632021-02-011128010.3390/geosciences11020080Tectonic Setting of the Kenya Rift in the Nakuru Area, Based on Geophysical ProspectingPaolo Conti0Marco Pistis1Stefano Bernardinetti2Alessio Barbagli3Andrea Zirulia4Lisa Serri5Tommaso Colonna6Enrico Guastaldi7Giorgio Ghiglieri8Center for GeoTechnologies, University of Siena, 52027 San Giovanni Valdarno, ItalyDepartment of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09100 Cagliari, ItalyCenter for GeoTechnologies, University of Siena, 52027 San Giovanni Valdarno, ItalyCenter for GeoTechnologies, University of Siena, 52027 San Giovanni Valdarno, ItalyCenter for GeoTechnologies, University of Siena, 52027 San Giovanni Valdarno, ItalyCenter for GeoTechnologies, University of Siena, 52027 San Giovanni Valdarno, ItalyCenter for GeoTechnologies, University of Siena, 52027 San Giovanni Valdarno, ItalyCenter for GeoTechnologies, University of Siena, 52027 San Giovanni Valdarno, ItalyDepartment of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09100 Cagliari, ItalyIn this paper, we present results of tectonic and geophysical investigations in the Kenya Rift valley, in the Nakuru area. We compiled a detailed geological map of the area based on published earlier works, well data and satellite imagery. The map was then integrated with original fieldwork and cross sections were constructed. In key areas, we then performed geophysical survey using Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT), Hybrid Source Audio MagnetoTelluric (HSAMT), and single station passive seismic measurements (HVSR). In the study area, a volcano-sedimentary succession of the Neogene-Quaternary age characterized by basalts, trachytes, pyroclastic rocks, and tephra with intercalated lacustrine and fluvial deposits crops out. Faulting linked with rift development is evident and occurs throughout the area crosscutting all rock units. We show a rotation of the extension in this portion of the Kenya rift with the NE–SW extension direction of a Neogene-Middle Pleistocene age, followed by the E–W extension direction of an Upper Pleistocene-Present age. Geophysical investigations allowed to outline main lithostratigraphic units and tectonic features at depth and were also useful to infer main cataclasites and fractured rock bodies, the primary paths for water flow in rocks. These investigations are integrated in a larger EU H2020 Programme aimed to produce a geological and hydrogeological model of the area to develop a sustainable water management system.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3263/11/2/80East African rift systemKenyatectonicsgeophysics |
| spellingShingle | Paolo Conti Marco Pistis Stefano Bernardinetti Alessio Barbagli Andrea Zirulia Lisa Serri Tommaso Colonna Enrico Guastaldi Giorgio Ghiglieri Tectonic Setting of the Kenya Rift in the Nakuru Area, Based on Geophysical Prospecting Geosciences East African rift system Kenya tectonics geophysics |
| title | Tectonic Setting of the Kenya Rift in the Nakuru Area, Based on Geophysical Prospecting |
| title_full | Tectonic Setting of the Kenya Rift in the Nakuru Area, Based on Geophysical Prospecting |
| title_fullStr | Tectonic Setting of the Kenya Rift in the Nakuru Area, Based on Geophysical Prospecting |
| title_full_unstemmed | Tectonic Setting of the Kenya Rift in the Nakuru Area, Based on Geophysical Prospecting |
| title_short | Tectonic Setting of the Kenya Rift in the Nakuru Area, Based on Geophysical Prospecting |
| title_sort | tectonic setting of the kenya rift in the nakuru area based on geophysical prospecting |
| topic | East African rift system Kenya tectonics geophysics |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3263/11/2/80 |
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