ADAMA SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF APPLIED NATURAL SCIENCE

DEPARTMENT OF APPLIED GEOLOGY

TITLE: MAPPING IGNEOUS TERRAIN BETWEEN HADA JIRU AND DERA RIDGE

NAME OF STUDENTS ID.NO

1. Ahmed Tofik R/1304/08

2. BefikaduPetros R/1306/08

3. Belay Birhanu R/1308/08

4. FirewFayisa R/1360/08

5. RoberaBenti R/0834/07

June, 2018
ABSTRACT
The fieldwork was conducted in different part of Main Ethiopian Rift (MER). The study area for
local geology is located between Hada jiru and Dera ridge near to the main road to Asela. It is
characterized by steep and some gentle topography, arid climatic condition and sparse vegetation
cover. The main objective of the fieldwork is to map igneous terrain in study area which is part of
MER. It also accounts for identifying different lithologies and volcanic landforms which are
exposed in the study area. To conduct our fieldwork we applied different methodologies such as
traverse line selection so as to get different lithologies, station point selection, sample and
systematic data collection to understand and distinguish between different lithologies. Materials
used during our field work were brunton compass, hammer, topographic map, and colored and
sharp pencil. Accordingly, the study area is rich in volcanic products such as igneous rocks and
volcanic landforms which are also distributed throughout rift system. Both felsic igneous rocks
such as tuff, ignimbrite, obsidian, rhyolite, pumice, and mafic igneous rocks like basalt and scoria
exists within the study area. They are characterized by their own texture, color, mineralogical and
chemical composition. They also exhibit different geological structures such as fractures, joints
and faults. Among these igneous rocks, scoria are widely distributed within the study area.
Volcanic landforms such as cinder cone, composite volcano, lava dome and aa-lava are also found
in this area. There is also series of horst-graben landforms extending from Abeyi to Kobo showing
right stepping en echelon normal faults. Most of series of landforms for which orientations were
measured are oriented in, NNE-SSW direction, in the general direction of MER indicating that
they are products of the MER. The volcanic rocks that are exposed in this area have vital economic
importance particularly for local community of surrounding towns due to their strength and
durability in different construction activities. In general, this igneous terrain mapping is done
mainly based on distribution of lithologies and structural outlines of products.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT

First and for all we offer our deeply felt thanks to GOD for being with us from the beginning to
the end. We acknowledge Adama Science and Technology University for its contribution of
necessary things to accomplish our field work such as transportation and other necessary materials
for our fieldwork. We also acknowledge School of Applied Natural Science and department of
Applied Geology for arranging this field work which plays great role in our understanding of the
igneous terrain of the MER.Mrs. Mulubrhan who serve us our adviser for his supportive comments
and ideas about our report.Our special thanks also go to our instructors; Mr. Yonatan, Kerkabo
and Mr.hassen shube for giving us encouragement, treatment and for their comments and detail
explanation about the terrain they gave us during and after our field work. We also thank the car
driver and local community between Hada jiru and Dera for providing their permission.

CHAPETR ONE

INTRODUCTION
The Main Ethiopian rift (MER) is part of East African Rift System (EARS) and comprises a series
of rift zones extending over a distance of about 1000km from the Afar Triple Junction at the Red
Sea-Gulf of Aden intersection to the Kenya Rift. The MER is associated with the huge volume of
volcanic products which were erupted since its birth, volcanism started during the Eocene-Late
Oligocene and it has been matching the tectonic evolution of the rift up to the recent time (Merla
et al., 1973; Levitte et al., 1974; Morton et al., 1979; Davidson and Rex, 1980; Weldegabriel et al.,
1990; Epinger et al., 1993; Abebe et al., 1998b). In the MER two main sectors can be distinguished:
a northeastern sector (NMER), where the recent volcanic products markedly prevalent; and the
southwestern sector (SMER), where the large volumes of the oldest volcanic rocks are present.
The latter (SMER) is characterized by north–south trending faults which are linked to the
northward propagation to the Kenya Rift. The MER developed during the Late Miocene (Ebinger
et al., 1993; and reference therein) and it is also characterized by well-developed quaternary
faulting that is mostly related to the Wonji Fault Belt (WFB: Mohr, 1962, 1967). Quaternary rocks
are commonly affected by faulting along this belt, which defines an important active volcano-
bounded by border faults trending north-northeast to northeast. The Plio-Quaternary volcanic
products of the MER show marked bimodal composition, with the alkali basalts and rhyolites
(mainly pantellerites) dominating the sequence with scarce intermediate compositional rock
(Gasparon et al., 1993; Boccaletti et al., 1995; Tura et al., 1999, and reference therein). In this
sector, the felsic product constitutes 80% of the exposed rock (Mohr, 1992). In the northernmost
sector of the MER, the central volcanic edifices are represented by composite volcanoes and by
caldera structures (e.g. Mohr, 1983, 1987; Kazmin, 1980). The age and geochemical character of
the volcanism changes along the MER, and its complex history and nature reflects the tectonic
evolution of the rift.

1.1 Geographical setting

The fieldwork was conducted in the northern part of MER system specifically in area between
Hada jiru and Dera ridge. The study area is characterized by steep topography, ridges, various
volcanic landforms and some gently sloped areas due to volcanic eruption which is believed to
have associated with Afar mantle plume (Mohr, 1962,1967). Most of those volcanic landforms are
aligned in the same direction as the MER.

1.2 Topography, drainage, vegetation and climate

1.2.1 Location
The study area for local geology is situated between Hada jiru and Dera ridge which is
approximately 14Km away from Adama in southern direction and is found Southwestern of Asela.
1.2.2 Topography
The topographic feature of the study area is characterized by ridges and some conical volcanic
landforms. Some areas are also steeply sloped which is due to characteristic feature of lithological
units within the land forms and types of volcanic eruptions.

1.2.3 Drainage
The study area of field terrain shows dendrite drainage pattern. This area is dominated by seasonal
streams and gully erosion activities.

1.2.4 Vegetation
The study area is generally sparsely vegetated with exception of some areas like near and around
Abeyi within which Dera Mountains Park is situated. This area (area near to the park) is relatively
more vegetated and consists of few large trees and many wild animals. But, most part of study area
is sparsely vegetated and consists of short scrubs, bush plants and shrubs.

1.2.5 Climate
The climate condition of study area is mostly arid and very windy. The temperature is hot during
day time and cold during night time.

1.2.6 Population density (settlement)

Population settlement of the study area varies from place to place. Some areas are densely
populated while others are sparsely populated. This may be related to availability of fresh water,
fertile soil for crop-cultivation, availability of infrastructures such as roads, health care station,
schools and others. In addition, climatic condition of the region which is semi-arid and very windy
has also its own impact on the population density of the region. In general, study area is
characterized by its sparse population density.

1.3 Previous work

Volcanism started during the Eocene-late Oligocene and it has been matching the tectonic
evolution of the rift up to recent time (Merla et al., 1973; Levitte et al., 1974; Morton et al., 1979;
Davidson and WoldeGebriel et al., 1990; Expunger et al., 1993; Abebe et al et al., 1998). The MER
developed during the late Miocene (Ebinger et al., 1993 and references therein) and its mostly
related to the Wonji fault belt (WFB, Mohr 1962, 1967) the estimated extension in the MER (20%,
β factor +1.2, Ebinger et al,1993) is comparatively small when compared to Afar, where extension
may exceed 100% (β factor = 2; Berehemer et al, 1975). The Pilo-Quaternary volcanic products
of the MER show a marked bi-modal composition, with alkali basalts and rhyolite domination the
sequence with scarce intermediate compositional rocks (Gasparon et al,1993; Boccaleti et al,
1995;Trme et al, 1999;and reference therein). In this sector, the felsic products constitute 80% of
the exposed rocks (Mohr, 1992). In the Northern most sector of the MER, the central volcanic
endifies are represented by composite volcanoes and caldera structure(eg Mohr,1983, 1987;
Kazmin, 1980). The age of onset oblique rifting process is probably related to the development of
the enchelon WFB system(Bononi et al, 1997; Bocalleti et al, 1998), which occurred around 1.6Ma
(Meyer et al,1975). This period also roughly corresponds to the lower limit the Wonji group.
Tectono-magmatic chronozone (Wolde Gebriel et al,1990). Thus suggesting a link between
tectonics and magmatism.

1.4 Objective of the study

1.4.1 General objective

The main objective of the field work is to prepare the geological map around Awash Melkasa to
Dera.

1.4.2Specifi objectives
The specific objectives of this field work are:
 To describe and identify different lithological unit which are exposed in the study area
based on their respective physical properties.
 To identify different types of volcanic landforms and their respective type of eruption
which are situated in the study area.

 To differentiate and describe geological structures which are found within different rock
units.
 To correlates series of morphology of landforms in the study area with the MER system
(i.e. differentiating whether or not the landforms are products of the MER).
 To understand economic importance of igneous rocks of the study area for local community
and country as general.
1.5 Methodology and Material used

1.5.1 Methodology
The materials needed for fieldwork such as geological hammer, compass and others has been
taken for concerned body before going to the fieldwork. Job is distributed daily between group of
students to make work easier and enhance participation. Several traverses were selected in the
direction perpendicular to strike (i.e. along dip direction of exposures) so as to get different
lithologies and different geological structures. In each traverses many stations are made as long as
some interesting exposure and contact between two different rock units were observed. The
description about certain exposures were made and written in the field at each respective stations
and traverses. Samples of rocks were collected and labeled for each station and traverses of
corresponding rock type. In each station of several traverses lithologies were mapped on the
topographic contour map with the aid of steepness and gentleness of the slope of an area.

After the fieldwork has been completed, geological equipment’s were returned to concerned staff
body. Data collected in the field were analyzed in an appropriate manner and geological map is
prepared on topographic contour map based on data obtained from the field with aid of colored
pencils.

1.5.2 Material used

Different geological equipment’s were used during our fieldwork. It includes geological hammer
for breaking rocks in to proper size, sample bag for holding these rock samples, note book for
writing note during the field work, and compass for measuring different geological structures. In
addition, colored pencils, marker and topographic map were also used during the fieldwork

CHAPTER TWO

REGIONAL GEOLOGY AND TECTONICS

2.1 Introduction to Main Ethiopian Rift

The great rift valley of Ethiopia is a part of East African rift that runs through Ethiopia in a South
west direction from Afar triple junction. The Great Rift Valley lies between the Ethiopian plateau
to the north and the Somalia plateau to the south. The rift developed as the Nubian and Somalia
plates began to separate during the Miocene period along the EAR system. The Ethiopian rift
valley is about 80km wide and broadened on both margin by large discontinuous normal faults
that gives rise to major tectonic escapements separating the rift floor from surrounding plateaus.
These faults are in active at the northern rift valley termination and active to south currently. MER
system is divided in to three segments. These are south segment, middle segment and northern
segments. The initiation of the main Ethiopia rift valley is from two options. One is from Kenya
plume and second one is associated with Afar plume induced huge volume of volcanic eruption
that covered large area with short period of geologic time. These are junctions of Red Sea rift with
Gulf of Aden and east African. Afar triple junction is a junction of three tectonic rift or ridges
center in Afar depression, normally known as rift. It also represents the junction of Arabian plate
and the two proto plates which are beginning to form as the African plate splits apart along the
east African rift. These proto plates are Nubian plate and Somalia plate. The MER valley is
dominated by volcanic rock, especially basalt (Schilling et al, 1992, Ebinger, Sleep, 1998, as cited
in Wolfe den et al, 2004. The study area is also located in this main Ethiopian rift at the northern
sector of the rift around Adama. This area is found near Adama and extends up to Awash Melaka
and it’s characterized by different rock units and structures.

2.2 Tectonic setting

As stated above, the Red Sea-Gulf of Aden-Main Ethiopian rift (rift–rift–rift) triple junction lies
on the broad Ethiopian Plateau, believed to have developed above a Paleocene mantle plume
(Schilling et al, 1992, Ebinger, Sleep, 1998, as cited in Wolfe den et al, 2004). Rifting has
progressed to seafloor spreading in parts of the Red Sea rift, and along the length of the Gulf of
Aden rift, with incipient Sea floor spreading in the northern and eastern Afar depression (Ebinger,
2005). The Main Ethiopian Rift (MER) is a roughly NE trending sector of the East African Rift
system that includes a series of rift segments extending from the Afar Triple Junction at the Red
Sea-Gulf of Aden intersection to the Kenya Rift (Bonini et al. 2005).

The MER is a branch of east African rift that runs in a Southwest direction from Afar triple
junction. It is a central valley which is extending from ESE-WNW direction at a rate of about 2.5
mm/yr. (Wolfe den et al, 2004). The MER has been divided into three sectors based on surface
geology and Geomorphology, the northern (NMER), central (CMER), and southern (SMER)
sectors. The NMER extends south from the Afar depression to near Lake Koka, with border faults
that trend on average at N50°E and have
Formed since 10-11 Ma. CMER extends from Lake koka through the lakes region to Lake Awassa,
with border faults trending on averageN30°E-N35°E.
2.3 Major rock units
Based on geological and petrological data of the volcanic rocks from both Nazret-Dera and Assela-
Ziway areas, several tectonomagmatic units are recognized within the Wonji Group. Using the
field relations, petrology and radiometric data, in a systematic stratigraphical framework is
developed for this important sector of the Main Ethiopian Rift, correlating the tectonomagmatic
units of these two areas.

2.4 Nazret-Dera area

The Nazret-Dera area represents the bridge zone between two right-stepping north-northeast
trending sets of normal faults belonging to the Wonji Fault Belt. One of these belts is situated
along the western side and affects the Gedemsa caldera and terminates north of Nazret. The other
fault belt originates in the eastern sector and extends northward to Kessem River valley area. The
southeastern area is affected by northeast-southwest trending fault constituting a boarder of the
eastern margin. The volcanic succession outcropping in the Nazret-Dera area is sub-divided eight
main units. In the southeast corner of the area, the Pliocene volcanic rocks (Eastern margin units)
are bounded by rift margin faults. Early Pleistocene products (Wonji Group) overlie the Eastern
Margin Unit rocks and occupy the rift floor. The central is characterized by the development of
the youngest volcanism, which is mainly concentrated along the rift axis. The field data revealed
that the felsic products is about 500km3, whereas those of mafic rock is much lower, being about
50km3.

2.4.1 Eastern Margin Unit

This unit is dominated by mafic and felsic volcanic rocks which are exposed along the faults-
scarps of the eastern rift margin in Nazret-Dera sector. These rocks consists of alkaline-transitional
basaltic lavas, and rhyolite ignimbrites sheets, often these products are in places covered by the
products of Nazret unit. An age of 1.8 Ma has been reported by Bigazziet a. (1993) for an
ignimbrites sheets of this units. The base of Eastern Margin Unit is not exposed. However, the
Middle Pliocene per alkaline obsidian lavas, belonging to the uppermost part of this unit, floors
the rift under the GedemsaWonji Fault Belt segment (Morton et al., 1979)

2.4.2 Nazreth Unit

This unit corresponds to the Nazreth series of Meyer et al. (1975). The Nazreth unit is made up of
a sequence of ignimbrite sheets interbedded with palaeosol layer, indicating frequent breaks in the
volcanic activity and aphyric flood basalts. The ignimbrite units are frequently strongly welded at
the base and unwelded at the top. They are mainly characterized by glassy `fiamme`, showing a
pantelleritic composition, and by abundant basaltic lithic fragments. The basaltic lava is mainly
transitional and subordinately alkaline. The age of this unit ranges from 1.7 to 1.5 ma.

2.4.3 Keleta Unit

This unit constitutes the basalt series of the 'Wonji series' of Meyer et al. (1975). This succession
unconformable overlies the previous Nazret unit products; Meyer et al.(1975) relate this
unconformity to an important change in tectonic activity. The keleta unit developed after a period
of volcanic quiescence and could be considered as the actual rift floor refilling. It constitutes a
sequence of ignimbrite units separated by palaeosols, reaching its greatest exposed thickness
(~100m) in the keleta river valley. In lower part of the sequence, welded thin ignimbrite sheets are
followed by a thick, poorly welded, usually zeolitised ignimbrite. This ignimbrite is characterized
by abundant lithic fragments which reach a maximum diameter in the keleta river valley. This
suggests the keleta zone is probable source area. The upper part of the sequence is formed by loose
ignimbrite units which are largely widespread, covering all the central sector of the rift. The welded
ignimbrites are pantellerite rhyolites. The absence of recognizable volcanic centers in the area
where this ignimbrites unit outcrops suggests that this unit has fissural origin

2.4.4 Boku- Tede unit

The product of this unit is related to the collapse of a huge caldera (Boku caldera) whose remnant
rims are located in the central parts of the rift.. According to Morton et al. (1979), the Boku
caldera/cone diameter ratio was probably close to 1, so that caldera collapse led to the destruction
of the greater part of remnant cone. The Boku –Tede products are represented by ignimbrite sheets,
pyroclastic fall and surge deposit, and highly fractured lava domes with associated obsidian layers.
The surge deposits cover the central and western part of the area and their maximum thickness of
2m decreases towards east. The volcanic rocks of this unit consist of panlleritetrachytes and
rhyolites. The radiometric age determinations carried out on the rhyolites and ignimbrites gave an
age ranging from 0.83ma up to 0.51ma (Morton et al- 1979). These products are therefore, roughly
coeval with the following Bofa basalts, which are essentially developed in the central part of the
rift area.
2.4.5 Bofa unit

Mafic Lava flows, mainly of fissural origin, crop out in the central area of the rift and overlie the
ignimbrite sequence of the keleta unit. These rocks are mainly transitional basalts, with subordinate
salkaline basalt and mugearites. The lavas of the unit are commonly porphyritic with large laths of
plagioclase. The maximum thickness (150m) of the basaltic sequence decreases from northeast to
southwest in the central part of the rift. The radiometric ages range from 0.61 to 0.44 Ma (Morton
et al-1979

2.4.6 Derasodere Unit

The most widespread ignimbrite sheet (about 400 km2) of the area belongs to this unit. It is
characterized by thin layers of unwelded poorly welded ash containing small, scattered rounded
pumice clasts and lithics. In places these layer are interbedded with thin palaeosols. It's
composition is pantelleritic and it contains a few crystal fragments of sanidine. Between the
villages of sodore and Dera, and in the northeastern sector of area of pantellerite rhyolitic lava
domes with associated thick lava flow and pumice fall deposits are present. The lava are visually
vesicular, whereas in places they contain layers of obsidian lava. There are no age determinations
on the products of this unit. The field data indicate that the fine grained ignimbrites sheet overlies
the Bofa basalts.

2.4.7 Gedemsa Unit

As with the Boku-Tede units deposits, the products of this units are related to the collapse of
caldera approximately 8km in diameter (gedemsa caldera), out cropping southwest of boku along
the central part of the rift. The pre-caldera activity gave rise to pantellerite rhyolite ignimbrites
associated with ash flow, pumice falls and surge deposits. Pantellerite rhyolite lava domes are also
present in the pre-caldera sequence. Pantelleriterhyolitic lava domes are also present in the pre-
caldera sequence. The post-caldera products are composed of resurgent pantelleritic lava domes
and basaltic spatter cones scattered within the caldera depression and just outside the rims of the
caldera.

The radio diametric data on the Gedemsa products are controversial. According to Morton et al.
(1979), the buildup of the Gedemsa cone started 0.85 + 0.07 ma ago. However, this age a seer
too old as the Gedemsa volcano is stratigraphically younger than the Boke-Tede and Bofa units.
Bigazzi et al .(1993) obtained a fission track age of 0.21 + 0.032 ma carried on the glass of pre-
caldera lava flow exposed on the northeast rim of the Gedemsa caldera. If the k/AR age on the
whole rock of a green welded tuff reported by Morton et al (1979) was affected by excess AR,
then the 0.21 Ma fission tracks age appears to be much more acceptable according to the
stratigraphical data.
2.4.8 Boset Volcano

On the northeastern sector of studied area, lava flows outpoured by the jinjimma trachyte cone
(Boseti-Gudda volcano) have been mapped. Morton et al. (1979) quote an age of 0.21 Ma for these
lava flows.

2.4.9 Melkasa Unit

This unit represents the most recent volcanic activity, mainly concentrated along the rift axis and
is characterized by small spatter and cinder cones associated with basaltic lava flows. The basalts
are generally aphric or scarcely porphyritic for plagioclase, pyroxene and olivine. The radiometric
dating carried out on these rocks shows that they are younger than 0.2ma (Morton et al 1979).

2.5 AselaZiway area

In the AselaZiway area, the relationships between the north –northeast to northeast trending border
fault system and the WFB system branching off from the rift border are clearly observable.
Furthermore, this sector constitutes key area in which the relation between the tectonic evolution
and the associated magmatism can be investigated. The oldest volcanic rocks outcrop along the
northeast -southwest trending fault scarp located in the eastern part of west of Asela town. Further

West, the WFB cross cuts the rift floor. The youngest volcanism is confined to the central rift area.
Also in this area, the felsic volcanic products are largely predominant (showing the volume of
~350km3) over the basalt ones (~ 50km3). The whole exposed volcanic succession has been
subdivided in to five units that are described below, starting from the most ancient product.

2.5.1 Eastern Marginal Unit and Chilalo Volcano

This unit consists mainly of tabular aphyric or sub-aphyricehawaiite and mugearite lava flows and
associated volcanic agglomerates. Pantellerite ignimbrite sheets are present in the upper part of the
sequence along the eastern fault escarpment. The thickness of basaltic lava flows ranges from 2m
up to 5m.Palaeosols interbedded with basalts occur sporadically.Few age determinations are
available on the basalts outcropping along the rift margin. They reveal a pliopleistocene age and
refer to two mafic lava flows from the rift margin (Wolde Gabriel et a/.,1990).Moreover, an
apparent K-Ar age of 1.8+(-)0.1Ma was obtained on a hawaiite lava flow, sampled in the eastern
margin escarpment.Thesteratigraphical data suggest that these lavas could be partially interbedded
with those of the chilalo volcano on the southeastern shoulder of the rift. The chilalo central
volcano has a large crater (4km north-south; 3km east-west) at its summit. Its displays basaltic-
trachyandesitic lava flows interbedded with strombolianscoriaceous layers. Samples from the
lower and upper northern and western slope of the chilalo volcano have been dated by
WoldeGabriel et al. (1990) and Bigazzi et al. (1993). The K-Ar radiometric determinations indicate
ages ranging from 1.74Ma up to 2.31Ma.
2.5.2 Asela Unit
The products of the Asela unit out crop in the eastern part of the rift and overlie the eastern margin
unit rock. The maximum thickness of this unit has been found along the main boarder fault
escarpment, south west of the kulumsa village the rock type of this unit mainly consist of
pantellerite and commendite ignimbrites exhibit different textural characters due to the grade of
welding. The only radiometric age available on these products is of 1.66 Ma (WoldeGabriel et al).

2.5.3 Tulu Moye-Hate Unit

The huge volumes of felsic products belonging to this units consist of ignimbrites and minor lava
domes and flows related caldera collapse or to the emplacement of lava domes aligned with Wonji
Fault Belt in the western part of the central rift area. This product local overlie the Assela Unit and
consist of per alkaline rock: mainly panthellerrites with subordinate comendites. The ignimbrites
sheets are usually loose at the top and occasionally contain large glassy dark fiamme.

2.5.4 Aluto -Berecha unit

This unit is exposed on the western part of the Asela -Ziway area consists of panetelleritic lava
domes and flow of different age associated with pumices fall and pyroclastic flow deposit. The
oldest group of is characterized by pantelleritic lavas the associated pumice fall and pyroclastic
flow deposit occasionally contain large clasts and basaltic lithics. The youngest pantelleric product
is made up of porphyritic glassy lava with micro phenocryst of another classes or sanidine, quartz
and aegirine.

2.5.5 Galo- salen Unit

The recent Galo-salen basaltic flows either have a fissure origin along N300 -400 structure or related
to relatively small cinder and spatter lone, the oldest basalt generally contain large and abundant
lath of plagioclase and isolated crystal of pyroxene and olivine. The more recent basaltic sequence
is represented by aphytic lava flow erupted along fault situated along the rift axis and shifted west
ward in relation to the older basaltic lava. The most recent basaltic activity gives rise to spatter and
cinder cone scattered in the whole Asela -Ziway area. The oldest volcanism forming the rift

Shoulder /eastern margin unit/ last period volcanic activity develop along the WFB characterized
by interfingering of coeval acid and mafic volcanic rock. In general the reconstructed volcanic
evolution was strongly associated with the tectonic evolution of the rift.

2.6 Major geological structure land form

The regional is consists of a lot of volcanic land forms such as lava domes, cinder cones, composite
volcano, aa-lava, horst and graben, craters and other. There is also different geologic structure such
as faults and joints within those volcanic land forms and rock units within them. Some of this
volcanic land forms and structures within them will be discussed below.
2.6.1 Lava Dome landforms

Lava dome or volcanic dome is roughly circular shaped resulting from the slow extrusion of
viscous lava from volcano. The geochemistry of lava domes can vary from basalt to rhyolite
although most preserved domes tend to have high silica content. The characteristic dome shape is
attributed to viscosity that proves the lava from flowing very far. This high viscosity will be
obtained in two ways: by high level of silica in magma.

2.6.2 Horst and Graben

Horst and Graben is topographic feature found in normal fault zone forming ridges and valleys. A
graben represents a block of land that has dropped down relative to the landscape and a horst
represents a block of land remaining higher than the general landscape.

2.6.3 Cinder cone

They are explosive throw lava high in to the air, the lava cools and harden in to different volcanic
material called Tephra (lava blasted in to the air by violent volcanic eruption that solidifies as it
falls to the ground). A cinder cone volcano is formed by explosive eruption in which Tephra piles
up in to steep side loosing packed cones. Crater is volcanic feature which formed by a collapse of
volcano in to itself, making it special of depressed landform. The collapse is usually triggered by
emptying of magma chamber beneath the volcano as a result of large volcanic eruption. If enough
magma is erupted, chamber will not able to support the weight which funds above it. Then,
fractures will form around the edge of the chamber, usually in a circular shape. As magma chamber
emptied, the center of the volcano within the ring fractures begins to collapse which finally forms
landform that we call crater.

2.6.4 Aa-lava

If lava cools quickly and moves fast it can tear in to clinker pieces called Aa-lava. Temperature
and gases certainly influence weather the lava became Aa-lava or pohoehoe lava. Aa lava is the
most common appearance type of lava flow that cool down forming fragmented and rough.
Thepohoehoe lava which is very smooth compared to Aa-lava.TheAa-lava basalts are mainly
distributed in an area around Matahara north of main road.They are like scoriaceos basalt, vesicular
in texture, dark in color and look like farmland.

2.6.5 Composite volcano

A composite volcano (cone shaped volcano formed by the alternating layers of solidified lava and
rock particles) is a combination of a cinder cone and shield volcano that results from alternating
eruption of volcanic debris and lava. This type of volcano is likely to be the tallest and steepest
volcano.
2.6.5 En echelon faults
The term en-echelon refers to closely spaced, parallel or sub parallel, overlapping or step like
minor structures features in the rock (faults, tension fractures), which lie oblique to the overall
trend.

2.7 General Stratigraphy

Existing geochronological data for the northern main Ethiopian rift are sparse and variable quality.
Except for the work of Ukstins et al.[13], available details of samples locals from previous studies
are too imprecise to compare with our local stratigraphic. Deeply incised gorges cut in to the up
lifted lands of the Adama Basin expose pan- African metamorphic basement and marine
sedimentary strata deposited on aphssive continental margin in Mesozoic time [32, 33]. Overlying
the Mesozoic sequence is Oligocene – Lower Miocene fluid basalts. Gorge [33] used the wall rock
the 40 Ar/39Ar dating method and Chernet et al.[8] used K-Ar methods to date basalts over lying
Mesozoic strata on the north- eastern basin merge at 26to 23.4Ma,narrowing the range of values
obtained in earlier K- Ar studies [34,35].Chernet et al.[8] provide 23.8-24.1Ma K-Ar dates of
basalts overlying Mesozoic strata on the south eastern margin range , with in the range of earlier
values ( 22to 28Ma[36]). In the Southeastern margin, Marbideli et al [36] analyzed two samples
from along the southeastern rift flant. These were dated using K-Ar methods at 12.6 Ma (whole
rock) and 11.7Ma feldspar separates) chernet et al [8] use K-Ar method to determine an age of
10.3 0.2 Ma for a basalt from the lowest of several scarps forming the Arboye border fault .Two
conformable ignimbrite exposed along the eastern most fault of the Arboye border fault system
were sampled for dating in the hopes that this fault would exposed older strata (J . Rowland,
personal communication; 2001). Samples HSO2 and HSO1 collected from the same stratigraphic
package were dated at 7.98 0.05 and 7.807 0.011Ma respectively. These units were originally
mapped by Berhe and Kazmin [32] as the mid – Miocene to Pliocene.In the Northern margin,
trachytic flows commonly containing lathe-like feldspar phenocrysts that emanated from Megezez
volcano overlie the flood basalts on the flexural margin of the Adama basin. Trachyte flows from
the base of megezez were dated at 10.5 + 0.2 Ma (whole rack 40Ar/39 Ar [33]) and 10.4+0.2 Ma
(k-Ar [8], narrowing the range of 13-11 Ma from previous k-Ar studies [34]. The hiatus between
top flood basalts and confirmable felsic lavas is consistent with the hiatus recorded on the southeast
on rift margin. Exposure along a new road cut into the southern flank of Megezez reveals basalts
on lapping inferred Megezez flows.

The contact could be inferred by color and textural patterns in ground trothed imagery across the
field area. The stratigraphically lowest sequences in the kessem gorge and the most heavily
dissected are fine grained basalts and intercalated ignimbrites. Sample E01-3a was dated at 10.56+
0.05 Ma, identical to a date of 10.58+ 0.07 Ma from strata on a nearby fault block [13]. The lower
most stratigraphic sequence includes thin fluvial sequences of reworked tuffs and some baked soil
horizons. An ignimbrite (E01-18) dated at 10.144 + 0.012 Ma comes from near the top of this
package of tilted volcanic units which we refer to as the kessem formation. The MetchBila field
locality shows similar relations to the kessem Formation in the kessem gorge, but with
considerable differences in thickness and duration. The stratigraphichy lowest unit simplest was
an ignimbrite from a thick sequence of felsic lavas overlying a further 250m or more of altered
basalts and felsic lavas. This stratigraphic package shows multiple unconformities.

Figure 2.1 Schematic stratigraphic column showing the main rock types exposed in the Nazret-
Dera area (modified from Boccaletti et al., 1995). Ages are from 1: Bigazzi et al. (1993); 2: Morton
et al. (1979).
CHAPETR THREE

LOCAL GEOLOGY

3.1 Introduction to geology of study area (Hadajiru to Dera)

Our study area was east side from Adama to assela road and it comprises the area HadaJiru to
DeraRigde. The area has different lithological unit and some structures like fractures around
quary site .In general our area was covered by bimodal composition (felsic, mafic).Mostly area
is covered by the scoria cone and continuous ridge which oriented along the rift and composed
of the different lithology units. There is also gentle slope area which mostly covered by alluvial
along stream, Aeolian soil which deposit by wind, Ash, fallen pumice, and scoria.

3.2 Description of rock units

3.2.1 Tuff units

Tuff is pyroclastic type of rock which is formed by volcanic debris usually fused together by heat.
In other words, it is igneous rock forms from the products of an explosive volcanic eruption. In
the eruption (during the eruption), the volcano blasts rock, ash, magma materials and others from
its vent. This ejects travels through the air and falls back to the ground in an area surrounding the
volcano. If the ejected, materials are compacted in to a rock, the rock will be called “tuff”.Tuff is
usually thickest near to the volcanic vent and decreases in thickness with the distance from the
volcanic vent. Tuff is mostly easily friable meaning that it is easily breakable. It is vary in texture
but simply considered to have pyroclastic texture. It is white or grey powder in color when newly
fallen. Compositionally, ash fall tuffs composed of a mixture of rock fragments, crystals and glass
shards. Mode of formation for this rock unit is extrusive (volcanic).Relatively, based on their
hardness tuff rock unit may classified as unconsolidated and consolidated tuff. Unconsolidated tuff
is very soft tuff which is converted to ash even when touched. Consolidated tuffs are comparatively
harder as their particles are more compacted together.
3.2.2 Ignimbrites Unit
Ignimbrite is pyro-clastic rock formed by very hot cloud of volcanic ash, blocks and gases known
as pyroclastic flow. Ignimbrite is pumice or tuff dominated pyroclastic flow deposits formed from
the cooling of pyroclastic material ejected from an explosive volcanic eruption. As pyroclastic
materials settles it can build up thick layers and if temperature is sufficiently high it can welded in
to rock what we call ignimbrite.Ignimbrites are variable in color, but typically they are light in
color. Ignimbrites are compositionally felsic and pyroclastic in texture.Mode of formation of this
type of rock is extrusive.Degree of welding of ignimbrite is depends on the weight of overlaying
material. Accordingly, ignimbrites are classified as well welded, medium welded and weakly
welded ignimbrites. Mostly at the top and near to the top of deposits, the rocks are commonly
vesicular and of low density. As a result, rocks are weakly welded at the top and medium welded
ignimbrites at the medium depth. At the greater depth, the weight of overlaying materials crushes
the pyroclastic materials forming a dense, non-vesicular rock or well welded ignimbrites.

Figure 3.1 ignimbrite

3.2.3 Rhyolites Rock units
Rhyolites are extrusive igneous rock which is formed when magma erupted reach earth’s surface
and cools or solidifies rapidly. They are characterized by their aphanite texture and light color. The
distinctive feature of this rock type is that they have flow band structures. These are white and
black bands ( Whites are feldspars and black bands are biotitic). These structures are due to
cooling of lava and shows different sequence of eruptions. It is compositionality, felsic composed
of mineral quartz and feldspar. As a result, they are characterized by their higher silica content.
Due to this high silica content, Rhyolitic lava is very viscous and flows slowly. In short, Rhyolite
is volcanic equivalent of granite and forms domical shaped landforms due to their relativity higher
viscous. Rhyolites are distinguished from Ignimbrites in that they contain flow band structures. In
study areas, Rhyolite rocks are mostly exposed in an area like Dera, Bato and others

Figure 3.2 rhyolite

3.2.4 Scoria Rock Units

Scoria is igneous rock with abundant round bubbles like cavities known as Vesicles. It ranges in
color from dark grey to deep reddish brown. It is mostly aphanite/or Vesicular in texture and
Volcanic in origin.Scoria forms when magma containing abundant dissolved gas flows from
Volcano or if blown out during an eruption. As molten rock emerges from deep within the Earth's,
the up on it is reduced and dissolved gas starts to escape in the form of bubbles. If molten rock
solidifies before gas escaped, the bubbles become small rounded or elongated cavities in the rock.
This igneous rock with trapped bubbles is known as Scoria.
In the study area, Scoria is well exposed around Dabe,Dera Ridge and HadaJiru Bato cone and
others.

Figure 3.3 scoria

5 Pumice Rock Units

Pumice is an igneous rock formed by rapid cooling and depressurization of volcanic magma with
high silica content. It is characterized by having large amount of Vesicles formed from gas bubbles
in the magma. As a result, they are very light in density. They are fine grained igneous rock, light
in color and has vesicular texture. They are compositionally more of felsic. In study area,
pumiceous rocks are distributed in area like behind the Dabe Ridge in quarry site in association
with Obsidian rock.

Figure 3.4 pumice

3.2.6 Obsidian Rock Units

Obsidian is an igneous rock that forms when molten rock materials cools so rapidly that atoms are
unable to arrange themselves into crystalline structure. The result is volcanic glass with a smooth
uniform texture that breaks with a conchoidal fracture. They have glassy texture.
Black is the most common color of Obsidian. However, it can be also brown or green. The colors
are thought to be caused due to impurity they contain.Obsidian is felsic in composition and
extrusive rock.

Figure 3.5 Obsidian

3.2.7 Basalt

Extrusive ignous rock which compose of mafic and dark in color. It is hard rock and aphanitic in
texture.
3.4. Geological structure
There are two types of geological structure of the rock which are the primary geological structures
and the secondary geological structures. The primary geological structure in the study area was
formed with in the formation of the rock. These structures are like vesicles. The secondary
geological structure in the study area was formed after the formation of the rock. These structures
are fault, fracture.

Figure 3.6 fracture

CHAPTER FOUR

DISCUSSION AND RESULTS

4.1 Short summary of results

The major results of our study can be summarized as follows; both felsic and mafic igneous rock
are widely distributed in the local. These igneous rocks include basalts, rhyolites, tuff, ignimbrites,
obsidian, scoria, pumice and other pyroclastic materials. Among those rock units scoria are most
widely distributed in the study area (local geology/which is from Hada jiru to Dera). In general, in
the study area, there are numbers of different rock units which are characterized by their own
properties. These rock units are distributed widely within the study area and some of them are on
being used for different economic /construction purpose. Table 1.1 below illustrates, about type’s
rock units of chemical and mineralogical compositions of rocks, texture and colors of the Rock in
a brief manner.

No Types of composition texture

rocks color
Fresh Weathered
1 Tuff felsic pyroclastic White Grey

2 Ignimbrite felsic pyroclastic White Dark

 3 Pumice felsic vesicular White Variable

Rhyolite felsic Alphabetic Light Dark

4
Obsidian felsic Glassy Light Variable
5
6 Scoria mafic Vesicular Reddish Dark grey
Brown

Table 4.1 discription of rocks in study area

4.2 Discussion
Almost all the rocks in the main Ethiopian Rift are post rift rocks and they are formed by fissural
and central type of eruption. They are bimodal in composition (i.e. both felsic and mafic igneous
rock are exists in the rift system). Accordingly, mafic rock such as basalts, scoria and others and
felsic rock such as rhyolites, pumice, ignimbrite, tuff and others are widely distributed both in
local geology (Hadajiru to Dera ) and in the regional geology .Each of these rocks are characterized
by their own color ,texture, origin, chemical and mineralogical composition based on their
respective physical properties.scoria rocks are comparatively widely distributed.There are various
types of volcanic landforms such as shield volcano, strato volcano and cinder cones, throughout
the Main Ethiopian Rift .There are also other landforms such as lava dome, Aa-lava, crater, caldera
and many ridges in the rift. Most of serious of these landforms are aligned in, NNE-SSW, which
is the same as direction of the Main Ethiopian Rift.

4.3 Correlation of local geology with regional geology

Correlation of local geology with regional geology is mainly based on lithostratigraphy,
geomorphology and structural outlines of various landforms. In the case of lithological
correlation, most of volcanic rocks in the local geology/Hadajiruto Dera are correlated with the
rocks in the regional geology. In structural correlation, most of landforms are correlated with the
general direction of the Main Ethiopian Rift in the regional geology and local geology. In
addition, most types of landforms in the study areas are correlated within various types of
landforms in regional
 Commented [M1]: From which paper/article did you get the
regional stratigraphy?

Source for regional (modified from boccaletti et al., 1995). Ages are from 1: Bigazzi et al. (1993); 2:
Morton et al. (1997)
Figure 4.2 geological map and cross sectional map
CHAPTER FIVE

ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF IGNEOUS ROCK

Igneous rocks and activities are very important as they used for variety of different purposes.
Geothermal energy can be obtained mostly from an area with igneous activities and can be used
for heating or power generation. Igneous rocks provide a good source for building materials. They
are very tough and strong which is vital for infrastructure that would have to withstand the physical
impact of weathering. There are many igneous rocks of economic importance in the study area;
some of them will described as follows;

5.1 Ignimbrites
Ignimbrite is the most important rock for the construction of different purpose, including road
construction, building and cobblestone. It also used for artwork, floor tiles and as a decorative
aggregate.

5.2 Tuff
Tuff’s primary economic value is as building material. In ancient world, tuff’s relative softness
meant that was commonly used for construction where it available. In short, it is used for
agricultural purpose, as building material, bridges, and other different construction purpose and
for crop production. In addition, it is used as the energy conservation due to its law thermal
conductivity

5.3 Scoria
Scoria is used in construction industry including cement manufacture, construction aggregate, road
aggregate, in landscaping and drainage works. Scoria rock is not yet used in medical industry. Due
to its impressive texture, considerable strength and hardness, it has various architectural uses. In
general, scoria is used as roofing, granules, and ground cover in landscape projects and as a
substrate in hydroponic gardening. It is used to construction purpose, building material and
abrasives. It can also be used for high-temperature insulation.

5.4 Rhyolites
It is used to prepare decorative stone, aggregate and fill as a medical; it also used for skin problem,
animal bite and speeds up for emotional. Because of higher hardness and wider distribution in the
study area, it is as construction material.

5.5 Pumice
By virtue of its spectacular origin, resulting in a unique set of physical and chemical characteristics,
pumice is truly versatile and valuable industrial and agricultural performer. Pumice is widely uses

to make light weight concrete or low – density cinder blocks. It also used as an abrasive, especially
in polishes, pencil erasers, cosmetic and production of stone washed.
5.6 Basalt
Basalt is used for a wide variety of purposes. It is most commonly crushed for use as an aggregate
in construction projects. Crushed basalt is used for road base, concrete aggregate asphalt pavement
aggregate, railroad ballasts, filter stone in drain fields, and many other purposes. Thin slab of basalt
are cut and sometimes polished for use as floor tittles, building weathered product of basalt is used
for agricultural purposes as it is rich in ferromagnesian minerals.

CHAPTER SIX

CONCOLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

6.1 conclusions

The general direction of the Main Ethiopian Rift is NNE-SSW direction. This rift marks the
incipient plate boundary between Nubian and Somalian plate, and formed after flood basalt
magmatism from Afar mantle plume. Alongside within the formation of the rift, volcanic products
/rocks, geological structures and different volcanic landforms were formed in the different part of
the rift. In study area (HadaJiru to Dera) both felsic igneous rocks such as tuff, ignimbrite, rhyolite,
pumice, and mafic igneous rocks like basalt, scoria and obsidian are exists within the study area.
They are characterized by their own texture, color, mineralogical and chemical composition. They
also exhibit different geological structures such as fractures, faults. Among these igneous rocks,
scoria are widely distributed within the study area. In addition due to their relatively lower
resistance to weathering and softness, tuffaceous rocks are easily converted to soil and used in
agricultural purposes in this area. Volcanic landforms such as cinder cone, composite volcano,
lava dome and Aa lava also found in this area. There is also series of horst-graben landforms
around eastern margin showing right stepping en echelon faults. In these localities faults are
relatively well developed. Most of network of landforms in the study area are oriented in NNE-
SSW direction which is the general direction of MER. This indicates that those volcanic landforms
are formed due to the action of MER (i.e. they are products of the MER system). In general,
different types of igneous rock in the rift system have vital economic importance especially for
local community living around the rift.
6.2 Recommendation
Field work is a core thing for the understanding of geology of certain areas. Therefore, it needs
enough investigation for study in this area.so to study this geological investigation it needs for
geochemical analysis geophysical investigation and aerial photograph .We cannot study this area
very well. In order to solve this problem the concerned body and solve a problem so another
recommendation of this study area is very occupied by different economic importance like, ground
water exploration geothermal energy and others so, the concerned body take an action and
different told to different company to tends their attention to investigate the area
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