COLLEGE OF NATURAL AND COMPUTATIONAL SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY

PROJECT PROPOSAL ON:

IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF MAJOR LITHO-

STRATIGRAPHIC UNITS AND GEOTECHNICAL PROPERTIES OF ROCKS IN
MECHISO AREA

PREPARED BY:

NAME ID No

1. ZENEBEWORK MESFIN…………………………...RGol-3493/17
2. MOHAMMED DENUR………………………………RGol-5882/17
3. SELAM MOLLA……………………………………..RGol-9055/17
4. MOHAMMED AHMED……………………………...RGol-0002/17
Advisors: Demisse Tadesse (MSc.) & Geremu Fufa (MSc.)

Submitted to Department of geology

JULY, 2021

DILLA, ETHIOPIA

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Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................................1
1.1 Background.................................................................................................................................1
1.2 Statement problem.......................................................................................................................2
1.3 Location of the project area.........................................................................................................2
2. LITERATURE RIEVIEW.................................................................................................................3
3 .OBJECTIVES OF PROJECT WORKS.............................................................................................5
3.1 General objectives......................................................................................................................5
3.2 Specific objectives.......................................................................................................................5
4. METHODOLOGY AND MATERIALS...........................................................................................5
4.1 Methodology................................................................................................................................5
4.1.1 Pre-field phase......................................................................................................................5
4.1.2 Field work phase...................................................................................................................5
4.1.3 Post-Field work phase...........................................................................................................6
4.2 Materials......................................................................................................................................6
5. EXPECTED RESULTS OF THE PROJECT WORKS AND ITS SIGNIFICANCES......................6
5.1 Significances of the project..........................................................................................................6
5.2 Expected results of the project works..........................................................................................7
6. WORK PLAN AND BUDGET BREAKDOWN..............................................................................8
6.1 Work Plan....................................................................................................................................8
6.2 Budget Breakdown......................................................................................................................9
7. REFERENCE..................................................................................................................................10

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1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background
The most fundemental kind of starigarphic study is recognition, subdivison, and correlation
of rocks on the basis of their lithology, that is lithstratigarhy. The term lithology is used by
geologist in two different but related ways. Strictly speaking, it refers to study and description
of the physical character of rocks, particularly in the hand specimens and outcrops. It is used
also to refer to these physical characteristic such as s:- rock type, color, mineral composition,
and grain size are all lithologic chaaracteristics. (Bates and Jackson, 1980).

Different lithogic units are sepearated from each other by contacts, which are palnar or
irregular surfaces between different types. Vertically superposed strata are said to be either
conformbale or unconformble dependong up on continuity of deposition. Conformbale strata
re charactrized by unbroken deposion in parallel order in which the layers are formed one
above the other by more or less uninterepted deposition. The surface that separates
conformble strata is a conformity, that is, a surface that separates younger strata from older
rocks but along which there is no pysical evidence of nondepositin. A conformble contact
indicates that there is no significant break in the deposion has occurred. On other hand the
contct between strata that do not succeed underlying rocks in immediate order of age, or that
do not fit together with them as apar of continious wgole, are called unconformities.

The demand for geological construction materials is escalating from time to time due to the
construction boom which is evidenced by unparallel expansion and up gradation of
infrastructures such as highways, airports, schools, hospitals, public and private buildings in
major towns, and particularly in Dilla city. These projects utilize voluminous geological
construction materials, from quarries located in and around Dilla and Mechsho for using as
building stone (cobblestone or pavements, structural loading, wall claddings, fencing etc).

As we see from other geological reports and maps in the study area Mechisho there are
different lithological units such as basalt, rhyolite and ignimbrite. These volcanic rocks are
used for raw materials for different engineering structures such as (damention stone, gravel,
cobble stone, aggrigate) and as industrial minerals but the litho-stratigraphy, geotechenical
proprties and detail charcteristics of these volcanic rocks are not studed. Then the present
study focuses on detail study of the lithostratigraphy and geotechnical properties of thes
volcanic rocks in Mechiso locality.

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1.2 Statement problem
There is no previous data about litho-stratigraphy and Geotechnical properties of volcanic
rocks of the study area. This project will be useful for establishment of litho-stratigraphic
sequences using detail field mapping method and it will be good guide for future researchers.
There is a tremendous opportunity for construction materials and industrial minerals which
can be explore in this area but it requires a move away from enclave model of quarrying
towards stronger economic linkages to achieve this wise management of this resource can
play a vital role for enhancement of quality of life of local community.

1.3 Location of the project area

The study area, Mechiso is located in Sidama Regional state, in the eastern escarpment of the
Ethiopian rift valley with fertile mountains and known for the excellent topographic features
in its vicinity. The area is located at distance of 355km from Addis Ababa (capital city of the
country) and 89km from Hawassa (capital of SNNPRS), 3 km from Dilla town.

Mechiso

. Figur
e 1. Locational map of the study area

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2. LITERATURE RIEVIEW

Ethiopian rift system (ERS) is also called east African rift system which is found in Ethiopia
and divides the country in to two parts. It trends from north east to south west. It is narrow at
the middle of the country and wider at the north part of the rift. Ethiopian rift system (East
Africa rift system) is divided in to three parts, the northern part is known as Afar rift, the
central part is main Ethiopian rift and southern part of the rift. (Metcalf and smith1995). , the
study area, Dilla is under southern part of the rift.

Main Ethiopian rift system is formed due to divergent plate boundary by extentational force
and it is the part of active rift which is found south of the Afar rift and divides the area in to
two regions. These are Nazrate - Dera region and Asela - Zeway region. The Ethiopian rift is
very important segment of the East African rifting system because it links the Kenya rift to
the red sea Gulf of Aden system. The understanding of the Ethiopian rift is a crucial
importance to put some inside in to the geodynamical evolution of this region. The evolution
of continental rift is marked by the general scale, type of volcanism which is determined by
the amount of extension and volume of magma. The extension increases along north ward
and the internal mafic composition results wider coverage with deepen structures like caldera.
(Metcalf and smith, 1995).

The structural and igneous events of the east African rift system, in general, the Ethiopian
rift, in particular, have passed several geological events during Tertiary-Recent evolution of
the system to produce the present day geologic and geomorphologic features of the region
(Raunet, 1976). This period were mainly characterized by volcanic processes with minor
quaternary sedimentation. The Ethiopian volcanics were divided into two main series: Trap
Series (or plateau Series) and rift volcanic (Mohr, 1971).

In the tertiary, an uplifting of the Precambrian crystalline basement began, as a result of the
internal thrust and convexo movements within the mantle under the Earth’s crust. Under the
effect of this tension, the basal complex cracked and let through huge amounts of basaltic
lava, followed by ignimbrite outpourings. These volcanic formations, which may be up to
thousand meters thick, make up the “trap Series”. The total area covered by flood basalts
(trap series) in Ethiopia has been estimated to be 600,000 km 2 (Mohr and Zanettin, 1988).
These flood lavas have been divided into groups: Ashangi Group: consists predominantly of
thick basalt lava flow, trachytes and rhyolites with interbedded pyroclastic erupted from
fissures. The flows have variable thickness of 200-1200m. The thickest exposed sections

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occur close to the rift escarpment, suggesting that the main source was associated with the
rifting. The fissural basalts are represented by transitional but with alkaline affinity, and are
characterized by a lower Na2O/K2O ratio and lower content in Al2O3. (Mohr, 1971).

The second group magdala group: outcropped within the Ethiopian rift, on the escarpment
and near plateaus. Acidic rocks including acid tuffs, mostly ignimbrites, Rhyolite and
trachytes. They are interbedded with lavas and agglomerates of basaltic composition. The
maximum thickness of trap series on the Ethiopian plateau is 3500m and is represented by
Semien Mountain while in the NE plateau the maximum thickness is 2500m on Arsi
highland. In Sidamo the thickness of trap series rich up to 1000m (Mohr, 1971).

In the late tertiary and early Pleistocene, as a result of this release of large amount of magma
and the gradual widening of the fractures, a continual-scale collapse occurred and gave rise to
the rift valley. The Ethiopian rift is the northernmost extension of the great East African rift
that extends from North-Eastern Ethiopia to Mozambique in South Africa, with a length of
more than 4000km. (Mohr, 1971).

The Central Main Ethiopian Rift is a large 1km deep Grabben with an average width of
about 70-80 km and length of 700 km stretching from the Ethiopian-Kenyan border in the
south to the Afar depression in the north (Di Paola, 1972). The rift dissects the high lands of
the country into eastern (Harar) and the Western (Central Ethiopia) plateaus and is bounded
on two sides by a series of large normal faults. In early Pliestocene, mostly to the north of
Lake Abaya, was filled with deposits from ash clouds, which poured from the cracks and
gave rise to ignimbrites. In quaternary the alteration of the basic outpouring (alkaline basalts)
and acidic outpourings (rhyolites, ignimbrites, obsidians, pumice and ashes) occurred. After it
had collapsed, the rift valley was covered, during the quaternary, with ‘2lacustrine stretches,
of which the present lakes are only remnants. Thus, the post-rift volcanic activity very often
took place in lacustrine environment and environment and produced rocks with produced
rocks with volcano-Lacustrine facies (Rhyolite, and ignimbrite, pumice, tuffs, clays, etc).
Recent fractures began during the Holocene; they run NNE-SSW and have sheared all the
earlier formations of the rift floor, especially in the centers. This fault belt is called, by Mohr
(1967), a Wonji Fault Belt and it is extremely dense in places (Boccaletti, M. et al, 1997). It
has been suggested that east–west structures may be an important factor in controlling the
locations of volcanism along the rift. Thick sediment accumulations of lacustrine origin cover
large areas of the rift floor (Solomon Tadesse, 2009).

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3 .OBJECTIVES OF PROJECT WORKS

3.1 General objectives

The primary objective of this research is identification and characterization of major litho-
stratigraphic units and geotechnical properties of rocks in Mechisho area.

3.2 Specific objectives

 Producing of Maps and cross-sections of different litho-stratigraphic units
 Defining and delineating major litho-stratigraphic units on the basis of their physical
properties
 Determining geo-technical characteristics of rocks in the study area (I.e. porosity,
durability, hardness and etc.)
 Correlation of different rock units based on their properties equivalency (relative age,
color, texture, etc.)
 Stating the socio-economic benefits of the rocks and minerals in the study area and
their applications

4. METHODOLOGY AND MATERIALS

4.1 Methodology
To achieve above objectives different integrated methodologies are followed namely, pre-
field work, during Field work and post field work phase. To come up with full realistic
information about the geological features, geographical data and geo-technical information in
the study area, the mentioned methodologies will be precisely followed.

4.1.1 Pre-field phase

Under this phase literature records pertaining to the objectives of the study will be reviewed
and relevant secondary data like core courses (research methodology, stratigraphy, and
geotechnical), topographic maps and geological maps & reports collected & interpreted with
respect to the objectives of the project work. All of these secondary data will be interpreted
and utilized before, during and after the actual works

4.1.2 Field work phase

Fieldwork is a phase in which the researcher contributes his actual effort to collect primary
data that will be latter used for the interpretation and analysis of the result. During the
fieldwork, the following activities were carried out. In this phase reconnaissance survey will
be conducted in order to understand the general geological setting of the project area. Primary

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data lithology, geological structure, different litho-stratigraphic units by following different
traverses in order to cross, identify, measure, describe, and map different stratigraphic units
and geotechnical properties (strength and weathering nature of the rock units) in the study
area also collecting representative samples will be done.

4.1.3 Post-Field work phase

After the accomplishments of the actual works, different data analysis and result
interpretations will be conducted during the post-field phase. Other activities to conduct
under this phase includes: different representative rock and mineral samples collected during
the field work will be analysed in Dilla (hand specimens ) to recognize the strength of the
materials (engineering properties of the material) , producing geological map and composite
stratigraphy of the study area. Finally the litho-structural map is produced. The engineering
geological mapping was carried out based on material strength, degree of weathering and
featuring for rock units

4.2 Materials
Different instruments will be used in the field to achieve the work

 (GPS) for locating ourselves in the field, and to map

 Compass for direction indicator in addition for measurement of elevation structure
and orientations,
 Topographical map used to the map,
 Geological hammer used to break a representative sample and test rock strength
 Sample bag for carrying the samples,
 Mobile camera used to capture picture,
 Hand lens for magnification,
 note book, marker, pen, pencil and rules,

5. EXPECTED RESULTS OF THE PROJECT WORKS AND ITS SIGNIFICANCES

5.1 Significances of the project

The project work includes Identification and characterization of litho-stratigraphic and
geotechnical properties of rocks in the study area using GIS and starter software The multiple
data sets and its integration provides the confidence in addressing the outcrop stratigraphy
and geotechnical properties of rocks in the study area. Finally this project will be beneficial
for the further study in the future for any exploration regarding to construction materials,
industrial minerals and rocks in the study area.

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5.2 Expected results of the project works
Geotechnical properties of volcanic rocks will be described, Litho-structural and engineering
geological map will be prepared using GIS and GPS navigation system and graphic logs will
be constructed based on age, colour, texture, and other necessary properties. The structure
orientation (fault, joints) will be precisely done using clinometer. The opportunities of other
construction materials in the study area will be stated and their applications regarding to the
local community.

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 6. WORK PLAN AND BUDGET BREAKDOWN

6.1 Work Plan

Table 1 Work Plan to Time Frame chart for stepwise progression of entire research project.
S.no Time Schedule
Work Procedures July 1-10 July 11-15 July 23-28

1. Literature review
Preliminary field
2.
planning,
Detail field study
3.
Data presentation and
4.
integration of data
and Interpretation
Draft final report
5.
writing
Final submission and
6.
defence

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6.2 Budget Breakdown
Table 2 Total cost summery required to complete the project work

S.no Activities unit quantity unit cost in unit total cost

birr
1 Per diem Researchers Days 4 120 1,920
2 Per diem For Supervisor Days 4 250 2000
3 Transportation Days 4 50 1,200
4 Stationary
 Paper No 1 pack 1*300 300

 Topographic Map - 1 1*250 250

 Marker - 2 2*40 80

 Printing - 2 2*100 200

 Binding - 2 2*30 60

 Eraser - 2 2*10 20
 Pen - 6 6*10 60
 Pencil - 6 6*5 30
Sub total 6,100
Contingency 10% 610
Grand total 6,710

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7. REFERENCE
 A.J. Bates and L. R. Jackson, (1980) principles of stratigarphy seond edition, london.
 D. F. Ritter, R. C. Kochel, and, J. R. Miller (1995) Process Geomorphology, 3rd
edition .Dubuque, Ill., and London: William C. Brown
 F. H. Ahnert, (1998) Introduction to Geomorphology 2nd edn. London and New York
 F. K. Di Paola. (1972) structures and evolution of east Africa rift system.
 F.G Metcalf and K.L smith, 1995).Main Ethiopian Rifts systems (MERS)
 J. H. Sam Boggs (1987) principle of sedimentology and starigarphy fourth editio.
 K. P. Raunet (1976). The structural and events of the east African rift system
 K. P. Zanettin,. (1988) Ethiopian Rift and Plateaus some volcanic petrochemical
Differences.
 R.W. Barker, (1971). Ethiopian Rift and Plateaus: Some volcanic petrochemical
Differences.
 R. J. Richard M. K. Huggett (2007) fundamentals of geomorphology second edition
the University of Manchester.
 S. H. Tadesse, (2009). The structural and events of the east African rift system

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