Geological Mapping to the NW of Mt. Fantale, Main Ethiopian Rift

Abstract

Remote sensing techniques were used alongside field observation to build and verify a geological map at 1:50,000 scale to the northwest of the Fantale caldera near Metehara, Ethiopia, covering an area approximately 280 km2. Numerous high-level geological investigations have previously been carried out within the region, predominately by the Geological Survey of Ethiopia. This study presents findings that have corrected significant discrepancies in previous publications, detailing fault structures and lineaments and refining geological boundaries in the most densely faulted region of the Main Ethiopian Rift, with spectral mapping also attempted in the rift. Various basaltic horizons are located within exposed fault scarps, with two main ignimbrites blanketing the area, primarily the distinctive Fantale ignimbrite, a green, blistered and welded ignimbrite; the product of the caldera-forming eruption.