Arjo Memoir23

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Geology of the Arjo Area Memoir 23 Geological Survey of Ethiopia Basic

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Geology of the Arjo Area Memoir 23
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF ETHIOPIA

BASIC GEOSCIENCE MAPPING DIRECTORATE
GEOLOGY OF THE ARJO AREA

MEMOIR 23
Compiled by
Tadesse Alemu
November 2014
Addis Ababa
Geological Survey of Ethiopia Basic Geoscience Mapping Directorate i

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CONTENTS
CONTENTS ........................................................................................................................ ii
LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................... iv
LIST OF TABLES .............................................................................................................. v
LIST OF ENCLOSURE ..................................................................................................... v
ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................................... vi
1. INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................... 1
1.1. OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE OF THE WORK ......................................................... 1
1.2. LOCATION AND ACCESS ................................................................................... 1
1.3. PHYSOGRAPHY AND DRAINAGE .................................................................... 5
1.3.1. Physiography..................................................................................................... 5
1.3.2. Drainage ........................................................................................................ 8
1.4. CLIMATE AND VEGETATION ........................................................................ 9
1.5. POPULATION ..................................................................................................... 9
1.6. REVIEW OF PREVIOUS WORKS .................................................................... 9
1.7. METHODOLOGY ................................................................................................ 10
2. REGIONAL GEOLOGY .............................................................................................. 12
3. LITHOLOGY AND STRATIGRAPHY ...................................................................... 20
3.1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................. 20
3.2. PRECAMBRIAN ROCKS .................................................................................... 20
3.2.1. Quartzo-feldspathic gneiss and Banded gneiss (Pgne1) .................................. 21
3.2.2. Granitoid orthogneiss (Pgne2) ......................................................................... 26
3.2.3. Hypersthene-quartz-feldspar (charnokite) gneiss (Pgne3) .............................. 28
3.2.4. Diorite (Pdt) .................................................................................................... 29
3.2.5. Granitoid (Pgt1) ............................................................................................... 29
3.2.6. Late- to post-tectonic granite (Pgt2) ................................................................ 32
3.3. PALEOZOIC – MESOZOIC SEDIMENTARY ROCKS ..................................... 34
3.3.1. Getema Sediments (Pzg) ................................................................................. 34
3.3.2. Wama Sandstone (Mzw) ................................................................................. 35
3.4. CENOZOIC ROCKS ............................................................................................. 36
3.4.1. Tertiary Volcanics ........................................................................................... 36
3.4.2. Tertiary Sediments .......................................................................................... 49
3.4.3. Quaternary covers ........................................................................................... 55
4. STRUCTURES ............................................................................................................. 57
4.1. PRECAMBRIAN STRUCTURES ........................................................................ 57
4.1.1. D1-Deformation............................................................................................... 57
4.1.2. D2-Deformation............................................................................................... 60
4.1.3. D3-Deformation............................................................................................... 60
4.2. PHANEROZOIC STRUCTURES ......................................................................... 63
4.2.1. Faults ............................................................................................................... 63
4.2.2. Lineaments ...................................................................................................... 64
5. METAMORPHISM ...................................................................................................... 67
5.1. MINERAL ASSEMBLAGES ............................................................................... 67
5.2. METAMORPHIC EVOLUTION .......................................................................... 67
6. MINERAL RESOURCES ............................................................................................ 69
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7. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS ........................................................................ 71

7.1. STRUCTURAL EVOLUTION ............................................................................. 71
7.2. LITHO-STRATIGRAPHY EVOLUTION ............................................................ 74
7.2.1. Precambrian rocks ........................................................................................... 74
7.2.2. Paleozoic-Mesozoic sedimentary rocks .......................................................... 74
7.2.3. Tertiary volcanic rocks and associated sediments .......................................... 75
8. GEOLOGIC HISTORY ................................................................................................ 77
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .............................................................................................. 79
REFERENCES ................................................................................................................. 80
Geological Survey of Ethiopia Basic Geoscience Mapping Directorate iii

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LIST OF FIGURES
Page
Figure 1 Location map of the Arjo Map sheet (NC 37-3) 3
Figure 2 Accessibility map of the Arjo area 4
Figure 3 Physiographic and Drainage map of the area 7
Figure 4 Mapping teams participated in subsheets mapping of the Arjo map 11
sheet
Figure 5 Simplified geological map of the Precambrian of Western Ethiopia 13
Figure 6 Map showing the distribution of Cenozoic volcanics of Ethiopia 18
Figure 7 Litho-stratigraphy of the area 22
Figure 8 Simplified geological map of the area 23
Figure 9 QAP diagram for granitoid (Pgt1) 32
Figure 10 Lithostratigraphic sections of the Tertiary volcanic rocks of the Arjo 48
area
Figure 11 Lithostratigraphic sections of the Tertiary sediments of the Arjo area 53
Figure 12 Structural map of the area 58
Figure 13 Photograph and line sketch showing the folding and transposition of
migmatitic layering in banded gneiss (Pgne1) 59
Figure 14 (a) Lower hemisphere equal area stereonet plot of poles to composite
(S1/S‟) foliations. (b) π-diagram of composite (S1/S‟) foliation 61
Figure 15 Lower hemisphere equal area stereonet plot of poles to shear foliations
(a) and associated stretching lineations (b) 62
Figure 16 Lineament map of the area 66
Figure 17 a) Schematic block diagram showing the relationships between D1, D2
and D3 developed as due to oblique collision in response to a NW-SE
compression. b) Strain ellipsoid showing the development of D3 shear
zone as pure flattening and conjugate strike-slip faults in dextral
transpressional system 73
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LIST OF TABLES
Table 1. Litho-stratigraphy of the Precambrian of western Ethiopia……………………14
Table 2. Litho-stratigraphy of the Cenozoic volcanic rocks of western and southwestern

Ethiopia………………………………………………………………………. 19
LIST OF ENCLOSURE
Enclosure 1. Geological map of the Arjo area (1:250,000)
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ABSTRACT
This report describes the geology of the Arjo area based on the compilation of the
geological map of Arjo map sheet (NC 37-13) at a scale of 1:250,000. The Arjo area is
located in the southwestern part of the country within Iluu Abbaa Booraa, Jimma and
Eastern Wellega zones of the Oromiya National Regional State, and pats of Saja Liyu
Woreda of the Southern Nations and Nationalities Peoples (SNNP) Regional
Administration.
The geology of the Arjo area is comprised of Precambrian rocks, Paleozoic-Mesozoic

sedimentary rocks, and Cenozoic rocks consist of Tertiary volcanics and sediments, and
Quaternary superficial deposits.
The Precambrian rocks in the mapped area represented by layered metamorphic and
intrusive rocks. The layered metamorphic rocks are comprised of quartzo-feldspathic
gneiss and banded gneiss, granitoid orthogneisses and, hypersthene-quartz-feldspar
(charnokite) gneiss. The intrusive rocks are represented by diorite, deformed granitoid,
and late- to post-tectonic granites. Three phases of deformation (D1, D2, and D3) have
been recognized in the Precambrian rocks of the area. The first (D1) and the second (D2)
phases of deformation appear to be coaxial, which resulted in the development of NE-SW
trending regional foliation (S1) and tight to isoclinal folds (F1) during D1 and folding of
S1/S‟ into N- and NNE- trending tight to isoclinal upright folds (F2) during D2. The age of
D1 and D2 deformation may be placed sometimes between 700 and 730 Ma, as implied
from intrusion age of syn-tectonic granitoids in the Precambrian basement of western
Ethiopia. The third phase of deformation (D3) is related to ductile mainly strike-slip shear
deformation that is resulted in the development of major north and northeast trending
dextral strike-slip shear zone and conjugate northwest trending sinistral and east-
northeast and northeast trending dextral strike-slip faults. The steepening and
transposition of F2 folds along D3 shear zones, presence of southeast and northwest
verging thrusts and folds, and oblique-slip lineations reflect that the D3 shear zones have
a component of flattening strain (pure shear) associated with strike-slip shearing,
suggesting that the D3 shear zones are related to dextral transpressional shear zone. The
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age of D3 deformation in the area may be placed sometimes between 630 and 635 Ma as
implied by U-Pb tectonothermal ages of 630 Ma obtained from Guttin granitoid (Kebede
et al., 2001), and Rb-Sr reset ages of 635 Ma obtained from syn-tectonic granitoids in
Gore-Gambela area (Ayalew et al., 1990).
The Paleozoic-Mesozoic rocks are comprised of continental clastic sediments represented

by Getema Sediments and Wama Sandstones. The Getema sediments unconformably
overlie the Precambrian rocks, and underlie the Tertiary volcanics, which attains a
maximum thickness of 250 m. It is dominantly sandstone with intercalations of siltstone,
mudstone, claystone and shale with glacial sediments at the base and minor interbeds of
coal seams at the top. The Getema sediments may be correlatable with the Enticho
sandstone and/or Edaga Arbi glacial of northern Ethiopia. Wama Sandstone is comprised
of commonly red and pinkish red with minor greyish yellow and white sandstone with
minor conglomeratic interbeds, which is attaining a maximum thickness of 100 m.
Regionally correlatable with the Adigrat Sandstone.
Based on varying proportions of basalt and silicic rocks (trachyte, rhyolite and
pyroclastic rocks), topographic appearances, flow morphology and to a lesser extent in
stratigraphy, the Tertiary volcanics in the Arjo area can be divided into the following
mappable units. From oldest to youngest, these are: - (i) the Gibe Group, (ii) the Limu
Genet Group, (iii) the Arjo Group, (iv) the Jibat Group, and (v) trachyte flow and plugs.
The Gibe group occupies deeply dissected valleys, river, streambeds, and flat-lying areas
and consists of predominantly basalt with minor acidic to intermediate volcanic rocks. It
attains a maximum thickness of 600 m. The Gibe group volcanics represent the oldest
volcanic rocks in the area. The Gibe volcanics may be correlatable with the Geba basalts
of Berhe et al. (1987), Omo basalts of Merla et al. (1979), and Akobo basalts of Davidson
(1983). Akobo basalt is dated at 49.4-30.5 Ma by Davidson (1983), and Omo basalt dated
at 40 to 25 Ma by Merla et al. (1979).
The Tertiary sediments, separate the Gibe group from the overlying Limu Genet group.
They are comprised of sandstone, mudstone, shale and tuffaceous sediments with minor
Geological Survey of Ethiopia Basic Geoscience Mapping Directorate vii

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interbeds of coal seams. The thickness is varying between 10 and 100 m. These
sediments are represented by Geba, Limu, and Boter Becho sediments. Kibre (2000)
suggested a Middle Oligocene and Early Miocene age, and fluviatiles to lacustrine
environment for the deposition of the Geba sediments.
The Limu Genet group is represented by varying proportions of basalt, trachyte, rhyolite
and pyroclastic rocks, which is attaining a maximum thickness of 800 m. Four mappable
units are identified in this group. From oldest to youngest these are: - (i) Lower silicics,
(ii) Lower basalt, (iii) Upper silicics, and (iv) Upper basalt. The Limu Genet volcanics
may be correlatable with the Jimma volcanics, which are dated at 37 to 10 Ma by Merla
et al., 1979.
The Arjo group volcanics are divided into four mappable units: - (i) Lower basalt, (ii)
Pyroclastics, (iii) Middle basalt, and (iv) Upper basalt. They are attaining a maximum
thickness of 500 m. The Arjo group volcanics are correlatable with Lower and Upper
basalt of Berhe et al. (1987), Wellega basalt of Abbate and Sagri (1980), and Surma
basalt of Davidson (1983), which has been dated at 19.4-9.1 Ma.
The Jibat group volcanics consist of layers of aphanitic basalts and phyric basalts with
subordinate pyroclastic rocks attain a maximum thickness 1000 m. The Jibat group
volcanics are divided into three mappable units: - (i) Lower basalt, (ii) Pyroclastics, and
(iii) Upper basalt. The Upper basalt of the Jibat volcanics may be correlatable with the
Chilalo Formation (Tefera et al., 1996). Abebe et al. (1998) dated the upper basalts of the
Jibat volcanics by K-Ar method and reported an age of 7 Ma.
The trachyte flows and plugs represent the last volcanic activity in the area. The trachyte
flows are light grey to greenish grey, medium-grained and represented by porphyritic and
aphyric varieties. The plugs are formed rounded and domical hills, which stands hundreds
of meters above the surrounding plains. Compositionally, they are trachytic with few
phonolitic varieties. The trachyte flows and plugs in the area can be correlated with Tulu
Wollel and Sayi volcanics, which are dated at 7.8-7.9 Ma by Berhe et al., 1987.
Geological Survey of Ethiopia Basic Geoscience Mapping Directorate viii

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Coal and oils hales are the most important mineral resources in the area. Few samples of
coal from the Geba sediments and Limu sediments were chemically analysed to measure
the relative abundance of volatile matter, non-volatile components (fixed carbon), water
content (moisture) and other inorganic mineral constituent left after combustion (ash).
The coal samples from the Geba sediments showed that the moisture content of the coal
falls between 1.8 % and 3 %. The coals treated are generally high volatile with ranges of
47.5-49.9% on dry mineral matter free basis. The fixed carbon of the treated coals ranges
from 50.7-52.5 % (on dry mineral matter free basis). Generally these coals have low ash
content and ranges from 9 % and 20.8 %. The total sulfur of the coals analysed is
generally low. All samples reveal a value <0. 5% and the ranges fall between 0.3 - 0.4 %.
Up on burning, the few coals of the Geba sediments gave rise to a heat value range of
11686-11910 Btu/lb (on moist mineral matter free basis) or 5021-5960cal/gm (on dry
basis). The specific gravity of coal ranges between 1.3 and 1.37g/cm2. By combining one
or three of the fixed carbon, volatile matter and gross calorific value the rank of these
treated coals is High Volatile Bituminous C Coal. The result of the analysis coal samples
from Limu sediments, showed that the moisture content of the coal falls between 2.4 %
and 3.3 %, the volatile matters range from 21.3-40.4% (on dry mineral matter free basis).
The fixed carbon of the treated coals ranges from 16.5-42.8 % (on dry mineral matter free
basis). The ash content ranges from 14 % to 58.9 % and the total sulfur of the coals
analysed is generally low and the samples analysed reveal a value <0. 5% and the ranges
fall between 0.2 and 0.3 %. The specific gravity of coal ranges between 1.96 and
2.05g/cm2. By combining one or three of the fixed carbon, volatile matter and gross
calorific value (1835 to 5286 cal/gm), the rank for coal samples analysed from Limu
sediments are of sub-bituminous A and C. Even though, it‟s economic viability need
further investigations, calorific value of higher than 5000-cal/gm, low ash and sulfur
content may suggest that the coal is suitable for local energy generation and as a main
input for fertilizer factories.
Granitoid intrusives, basalts, trachytes and ignimbrites which can be used as dimension
stones and construction materials are other mineral resources in the area.
Geological Survey of Ethiopia Basic Geoscience Mapping Directorate ix

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1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE OF THE WORK

The main objective of this work is to produce the geological map of the Arjo area at a
scale of 1:250,000 with accompanying report. This work is part of the on-going regional
geological mapping program of the Geological Survey of Ethiopia (GSE) to cover the
county‟s landmass at a scale of 1:250,000.
The scope of the present work shall include but not limited to:-
 Compile and update the subsheets (1:50,000) geologic maps prepared by

different mapping teams;
 Conduct field lithologic and structural investigations in areas selected for
checking from compiled subsheets geologic maps;
 Rectify the lithostratigraphic succession of the mapped area;
 Discuss the possible implication of the field, lithology and structural data, and
petrographic study to the process involved in the geological evolution of the area;
and
 Indicate areas having mineral resource potential, and to recommend them for
further investigations.
1.2. LOCATION AND ACCESS
The Arjo area is located in the southwestern part of the country, which is situated in
Oromiya and partly in Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples (SNNP) Regional
States. The area is also referred to as Arjo map sheet (NC 37-13) in the 1:250,000 index
map of the country, which is bounded by 3600‟E-3730‟E longitude and 800‟N-
900‟N latitude (Fig. 1). It covers approximately an area of 18,000 sq.km.
The Arjo area can be accessed from Addis Ababa through two main highways; the Addis
Ababa-Jimma-Bedele-Metu and the Addis Ababa-Ambo-Nekemte-Arjo-Bedele
highways (Fig. 1). Within the mapped area there are both all-weather and dry-weather
gravel roads branching form the above highways that are leading to different parts of the
mapped area (Fig. 2). These include:-
Geological Survey of Ethiopia Basic Geoscience Mapping Directorate 1
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 Kumbabe-Dega-Meko, Bedele-Kone-Chewaka (Ilu Harar), Bedele-Arjo-Getema-

Nekemte, and Arjo-Nunu Kumba-Mote-Bilo roads connecting the western and
north-central part of the area,
 Bedele-Gechi-Yanfa all-weather, and Bedele-Chara, Yanfa-Didesa River, Kone-
Tullema, and Limu Genet-Atnago-Koma-Ketketo Spring dry-weather roads
connecting the southern part of the area, and
 Jimma-Limu Genet-Atnago-Alga-Seyo-Shenen, and Tawla-Nono-Boter Keta-
Tolay all-weather gravel roads, and Boter Keta-Boter Becho-Bege-Limu Genet,
Bege-Tiro, Nono-Silk Amba-Alem Gena-Seyo-Shenen, and Seyo-Ijaji dry-
weather roads are important to accessing the eastern part of the mapped area.

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Figure 1. Location map of the Arjo Area (NC 37-3).

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Figure 2. Accessibility map of the Arjo area.

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1.3. PHYSOGRAPHY AND DRAINAGE
1.3.1. Physiography
The Arjo area occupies the southwestern Ethiopian plateau, which is characterized by
dissected valleys and ridges, gently undulatory plateaus and, flat and gently rolling
valleys and plains. The area generally covers contrasted physiographic areas that are
formed during past geotectonic evolution of the southwestern Ethiopian Plateau.
Furthermore the present day contrasting topography prevalent to the mapped area is the
result of recurring and prolonged geo-tectonics and geo-morphological processes; such
as faulting/uplift/subsidence, weathering and erosion heavily modified the landform for
the present topographic scene.
Based on the combined differences of altitude, climatic, vegetation and geological

features, the mapped area can broadly be divided into four major physiographic divisions
(Fig. 3). These are: -
1. Valleys and Gorges
This area is typically characterized by rugged terrain and dissected valley with
contrasting topographic scenery of the Didesa River valley/gorge in west-central and
Gibe River valley/gorge in eastern part of the area. They are formed by faulting,
prolonged erosion and incision exposing rock units while cutting through, and producing
topographic elevation differences in the order of 400 to 500m.They are characterized by
narrow and deeply dissected valley and steep cliffs in the southern part and broad and
rolling plains in the northern part. Some of the steep cliffs areas in the Gibe valley/gorge
are affected by active landslides. Incision which is accompanied by set of faults creating
extensive fractures are followed by intense weathering and deep erosion finally forming
the existing dissected landscape of the valley/river gorge. The difference in the
resistance of the rock units to the action of weathering and erosion added to ruggedness
of the gorge terrain. Alluvial sediments are commonly present in flat-bottomed valleys

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and in topographic depressions, where aggradations or depositions of fluvial and slope

wash materials occur.
2. Gently rolling to steep cliffs, ridges and plains
This physiographic region occupies the largest parts of the area. Elevations in this
physiographic region vary between 2000 and 1500 m.a.s.l. It is characterized by flat to
low-lying terrain consists of plains and narrow stretches of sag areas, and rolling to hilly
landscape in the west-central and central part of the area. Flat topped to gently
undulatory low relief terrains gently sloping from northwest to southeast trenched by
Geba, Dabena, Didesa and Gibe rivers (Fig. 3). The Gibe valley is considerably deeper
cutting the rocks in to a depth of more than 500m. The Gibe River crossed the southern
part of the area flowing in southeast direction. The Didesa River is narrower in south and
wider in the north and flowing in northwest direction.
In this region local hills and discontinuous ridges formed of plugs and low-lying plains
are common. The plains (Chewaka, Nono, Belbela and Tolay plains) are formed gently
sloping plain between the valleys of Didesa and Gibe Rivers. The region is covered by
Gibe volcanics with minor outcrops of Precambrian and Paleozoic-Mesozoic
sedimentary rocks.
3. Dissected ridges, hills and mountains
This physiographic region is characterized by rugged and dissected ridges, hills and
mountains. A rugged topography probably due to the combined effects of the interaction
of northeast- to east-northeast and northwest-southeast trending fractures/joints and
lithological factors. The region is generally underlain by Tertiary volcanics of the Arjo
group and minor Precambrian basement.

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4. Flat-top ridges and mountains
This physiographic region is characterized by flat-topped gently undulatory plateaus

with some ridges and hills, and mountain chains. Prolonged weathering and erosion
processes have modified the landform into smooth topped hills with rolling sides. At
places streams incise through them with relatively fast head ward erosion. This
physiographic region is characterized by volcanic shields and cones, which are formed
by repeated volcanic lava flows and pyroclastic rocks from the central vent.
Figure 3. Physiographic and Drainage map of the area.

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1.3.2. Drainage
The area is divided into three drainage basins (Fig. 3). These are:
1. Geba River drainage basin,

2. Didesa River drainage basin, and
3. Gibe River drainage basin
Geba River drainage basin
This drainage basin occupies the western part of the area, which is extending outside the
area, and forms the upper Baro-Akobo basin. Most of the streams in the drainage basin
are flowing east-west direction to join the Geba and Geda rivers. The Geba River is
flowing in north-south direction, but changes its direction to northwest and then flowing
east-west direction outside the area.
Didesa River drainage basin
This drainage basin makes the largest part of the area, and forms the upper part of the
Abay River basin. The basin is narrower at the southern part and wider in the northern
part of the area. Major rivers in the basin are Didesa, Dabena and Wama. Drainage
texture varies from medium to coarse, however, in northwestern part of the region
angular and sub-parallel drainage patterns are common suggesting structural (fractures
and joints) control of their development.
Gibe River drainage basin
This basin occupies the eastern part of the area, which is formed by Gibe River and its
tributaries Gilgel Gibe and Tinishu Gibe rivers. It formed the upper part of the Omo
River Basin. The drainage basin consists of several perennial and intermittent rivers. The
main perennial rivers are Gibe, Gilgel Gibe, Tinishu Gibe and Indris rivers. The basin is
characterized by dendritic drainage pattern.

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1.4. CLIMATE AND VEGETATION

The area is largely characterized by a wet climate, in which the rainy season prevails
from June to September. According to EMA (1981), the largest part of the area is
represented by “Weina Dega” climatic zone, with mean annual temperature of 200c and
rainfall of 1400 to 1600 mm/yr.
The common types of vegetation in the area are represented by acacia, eucalyptus,
wanza (Cordial Africana), and bessana (Croton mecrostachys). Elephant grasses, shrubs
and riverine trees are also found along the Didesa valley. Lion, baboon, ape, „gureza‟,
„sesse‟, „agazen‟, „kerkero‟ and hyena are the common wild animals in the area.
1.5. POPULATION
The area is largely inhibited by Oromos and few Gumuzs, which live in and around the
area especially along the Didesa valley. Recently, Oromos from Eastern and Western
Hararge zones of Oromiya National Regional State are inhibited in the area as part of the
National government resettlement programme. The Oromos speak “Oromifa” and are
depending on farming and raising cattle. They are growing teff, maize, wheat and
sorghum. The Gumuzs speak “Gumuzegna” and are experiencing nomadic to semi-
nomadic life, but at present few of them are started practicing farming.
1.6. REVIEW OF PREVIOUS WORKS

The 1:2,000,000 scale geologic map of Ethiopia compiled first by Kazmin (1973) and
later by Tefera et al. (1996) provide some broad and basic information about the geology
of the area. Accordingly, the study area is represented by Precambrian high-grade gneiss
and migmatites (Alghe Group), Tertiary volcanics and Quaternary covers. The northern
part, western part and the northwest corner of the area is covered by the geological maps
of Nekemet sheet (Solomon and Mulugeta, 2000), Gore sheet (Tefera and Berhe, 1987)

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and Gimbi sheet (Alemu and Abebe, 2000) respectively, which are compiled at a scale of
1:250,000. These maps are provided valuable information about the geology of the area.
1.7. METHODOLOGY
The present work is intended to prepare the geological map of Arjo map sheet (NC 37-
13) at a scale of 1:250,000 with accompanying report by compiling the1:50,000 scale
subsheets geological maps prepared by different mapping teams. Geological mapping
was conducted during the period between 2004 (1996 E.C.) and 2005 (1997 E.C.) as part
of Arjo Regional geological mapping project. Nine mapping teams consist of two and
more geologists were participated during the course of mapping of subsheets (Fig. 4).
The compilation work was started in 2004 along with subsheets mapping, however, the
compiler assigned to compile the map sheet went abroad for study and the compilation
was suspended for some time before the present author took the assignment since 2006.
Due mainly to the present author has been engaged by various assignments the
compilation work took more time than usual. Nevertheless, effort has been made to
make available the early draft of the geological map, and since 2008 the draft geological
map is available to users.
The methodology adopted in this compilation is comprised of:-

 Desk study to review the subsheet geological maps prepared by each mapping
team in order to see the lithological and structural consistency and if any
inconsistencies or mismatches are identified delineating them for remote sensing
study and field checking;
 Interpretation of black and white aerial photographs of approximately 1:60,000 to
update the geological maps; and
 Field mapping was conducted by the author in 2006 for about three months to
acquire geological information to validate interpretation of aerial photographs.
The field mapping was accompanied by a junior geologist (Behailu Berehanu).

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Geologic hammer, hand lens, compass with clinometer hand held GPS, aerial
photographs and 1:250,000 and 1:50,000 scale topomaps were used for mapping.
 Preparation of final geological map at a scale of 1:250,000 with accompanying
report by integrating field, lithological and structural data along with image
interpretations and petrographic studies.
Figure 4 Mapping teams participated in subsheets mapping of the Arjo map sheet.

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2. REGIONAL GEOLOGY
The geology of western Ethiopia is characterized by a variety of rock types ranging in
age from Precambrian to Quaternary. The Precambrian basement of western Ethiopia,
extending northwards from 60N for about 650 kilometres is the largest Precambrian
block in Ethiopia. The Precambrian rocks of western Ethiopia studied at different scales
(UNDP, 1972; de Wit, 1977; Kazmin, 1978; Davidson, 1983; Abraham, 1989; Tefera,
1990; Tefera and Berhe, 1987; Ayalew and Moore, 1989; Alemu and Abebe, 2000;
Solomon and Mulugeta, 2000; Getahun, 2002). Some of these workers have attempted to
define informal litho-stratigraphic divisions for the Precambrian rocks of western
Ethiopia (Table 1). However, the impetus that these works in the region should have
given to define common litho-stratigraphic classifications for the Precambrian geology
of western Ethiopia is not materialize, apart from the first attempt by Kazmin et al.
(1979), which divided the Precambrian of western Ethiopia into five zones. From east to
west these are: (i) Eastern block of high-grade Pre-Pan-African rocks (Zone I), (ii)
Ophiolite belt (Zone II), (iii) Zone of dioritic-granodioritic batholiths and associated
intermediate volcanics (Zone III), (iv) Metavolcanic-metasedimentary belt (Zone IV),
and (v) Western block of high-grade Pre-Pan-African basement (Zone V). Of which,
Zone I includes the present study area. Tefera et al. (1996) divided the Precambrian
rocks of western Ethiopia into Archean (Baro and Alghe Group) and late Proterozoic
(Tulu Dimtu and Birbir Group). The Alghe Group formed the present study area. The
assemblage of biotite, hornblende-biotite gneisses, granulite and migmatites with minor
metasedimentary gneiss characterizes the Alghe Group.
As shown simplified in Fig. 5 the Precambrian rocks of western Ethiopia can broadly be
divided into three litho-tectonic units: (i) high-grade gneiss and migmatites, (ii)
greenschist to amphibolite grade metavolcano-sedimentary rocks and associated mafic
and ultramafic rocks of probable ophiolitic origin, and (iii) low-grade metavolcano-
sedimentary rocks and associated intrusive rocks.

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Figure 5. Simplified geological map of the Precambrian of Western Ethiopia (modified after
Alemu and Abebe, 2000, 2007).

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Table 1. Litho-stratigraphy of the Precambrian of western Ethiopia

Litho-tectonic units UNDP (1972) Kazmin et al. Davidson Teferra & Teferra Alemu & Getahun Teferra et al.
(1979) (1983) Berhe (1987) (1991) Abebe (2000) (2002) (1996)
Low-grade Birbir Group:- Zone IV:- Akobo Birbir Central Katta Domain:- Aja Domain:- Tulu Dimtu
metavolcano- low-grade metavolcanic- Domain:- low- Domain:- Domain:- low-grade metavolcano- and Birbir
sediments and metavolcano- metasedimentar grade low-grade metavolcano- metavolcano- sedimentary Group:- low-
associated sediments y belt metavolcano- metavolcano- sediments and sediments and schist grade
Upper intrusive rocks Metavolcanic Zone III:- sediments and sediments and associated associated metavolcano-
Complex Group:- dioritic- associated associated mafic to intrusive rocks sedimentary
metabasalt and granodioritic mafic-ultramafic intrusive rocks intermediate Afa and Chochi Beles rocks and
amphibolite belt and rocks intrusives Domains:- Domain:- associated
with minor associated Gesengesa greenschist to metavolcano- intrusive rocks
gabbro and metavolcanics Domain:- amphibolite sedimentary
ultramafic Zone II:- greenschist to grade rocks with
ophiolitic belt amphibolite metasedimentar sliver of
grade y gneiss and gneisses
metasedimentar schist
y gneiss and
schist
Eastern (Zone Surma Baro Kurmuk Aba Sina Guba Baro Group:-
Lower High-grade Lower I) and Domain:- Domain:- Domain:- Domain:- high Domain:- ortho and
Complex gneiss and Complex:- Western (Zone sheared and high-grade ortho and para grade gneiss and ortho and para para gneiss
migmatites High-grade V); high-grade foliated dominantly gneisses migmatites gneiss
gneiss and schist pre Pan- granitoid gneiss supracrustal
African rocks gneiss Alghe Group:-
Hamar orthogneiss and
Domain:-gneiss Geba migmatites
and migmatites Domain:-
with minor orthogneiss
granulites and
migmatites

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The high-grade gneiss and migmatites, which is also referred to as Lower Complex
(Kazmin, 1972; UNDP, 1972) are considered as the northern continuation of the Pan-
African Mozambique Belt. These rocks were regarded as Archean in age mainly on
the basis of correlation with similar rocks in east Africa (Kazmin, 1972; Kazmin et
al., 1978). However, recent geochronological investigations indicate that the
granitoids from the Lower complex fall within the time range of 550 to 810 Ma
(Ayalew et al., 1990; Kebede et al., 2000, 2001), and some of the granitoids contain
inherited zircon as old as 1571  9 Ma (Kebede et al., 2000, 2001). This might
suggest that the gneiss and migmatites are not juvenile Pan-African terrane but consist
of Mesoproterozoic crust that was reworked in the East African Orogen. Whether
these rocks are of Archean, Paleoproterozoic, or Mesoproterozoic age must await
further geochronological investigations.
The low-grade metavolcano-sedimentary and associated intrusive rocks exposed

remarkably persistent and can be traced for the entire length of the Precambrian of
western Ethiopia (Fig. 5). The assemblage varies in width along strike that is wider in
the north and narrower in the south. Further south the assemblage pinches out and
truncates by NW-trending Surma shear zone (Fig. 5). Previously, they are referred to
as Upper Complex (Kazmin, 1972; UNDP, 1972) and have long been considered as
the southern continuation of the Pan-African Arabian-Nubian Shield and were
correlated to the Juvenile Pan-African assemblage of northern Ethiopia, Eritrea and
the southeastern Sudan. They were defined as the Tokar Terrane (Kröner et al., 1991),
and may correlate across the Red Sea to the southwestern part of the Asir Terrane of
Saudi Arabia. Geochemical investigations from some of these rocks indicate that they
are of magmatic arc type (Birbir Group; Ayalew and Moore, 1989). Geochronological
investigations from plutonic rocks suggest that the age of the low-grade rocks range
from ~ 830 to ~ 540 Ma (Ayalew et al., 1990).
The mafic and ultramafic rocks and associated metavolcano-sediments formed linear
belts that can be traced along strike for a considerable distance. In western Ethiopia,
these belts are represented by Tulu Dimtu, Akobo and Afa (Fig. 5). The Tulu Dimtu
Belt (TDB), the largest in western Ethiopia separates high-grade gneiss and
migmatites in the east from low-grade metavolcano-sedimentary sequences to the

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west (Fig. 5). The belt comprises metavolcano-sedimentary rocks and linear but,
discontinuous bodies of mafic and ultramafic rocks that crop out in several places
along the belt, particularly at Yubdo, Daletti, Tulu Dimtu, Meti, Sirbanti and Baruda.
The belt varies in width along strike, being wider in the north and narrower in the
south. Further south, the belt pinches out and cannot be traced south of Yubdo.
However, small outcrops of a similar association of rocks in the Akobo area (Akobo
Domain of Davidson, 1983) are considered to be a southern continuation of this belt
(Fig. 5; de Wit, 1977; de Wit and Aguma, 1977). The TDB is exposed as a NNE-
trending fold and thrust belt that can be traced for the entire length of the Precambrian
basement of western Ethiopian, and appears to continue to the proposed Barka
ophiolitic suture in Eritrea and the Sudan (Alemu and Abebe, 2000; Alemu, 2004).
Earlier workers based on field and some preliminary geochemical data interpreted the
mafic-ultramafic masses as disrupted ophiolitic fragments (Kazmin. 1976, 1978; de
Wit and Aguma, 1977; Warden et al., 1982; Berhe, 1990), and considered as possible
Pan-African suture, which is referred to as Sekerr-Yubdo-Tulu Dimtu-Barka Suture
Zone (Berhe, 1990) or Barka-Tulu Dimtu Suture Zone (Abdelsalam and Stern, 1996) .
However, recently, some workers (Mogessie et al., 2000; Braathen et al., 2001)
argued against the ophiolitic origin of these mafic-ultramafic masses, and they
interpret them as intrusions into metavolcano-sediments. Braathen et al. (2001) argued
against the suggestion of the Tulu Dimtu Belt as a possible suture zones and they
suggested an arc and back-arc setting that experienced continental collision and
tectonic shortening to account for the evolution of the belt.
The Cenozoic volcanics overlie unconformably either on Precambrian rocks or

Paleozoic – Mesozoic sediments. At places in southwestern Ethiopia they found
overlying the Precambrian rocks are marked by residual and transported sandstone
and conglomerates (Davidson, 1983). The Cenozoic Ethiopian volcanic province can
be divided into two main series. These are: (i) the Plateau (trap) volcanics, and (ii) the
Rift volcanics (Fig. 6). The plateau volcanics represented 300,000 Km3 of mid-
Tertiary generally fissure-fed basaltic lavas. The plateau volcanics divided into west
and southeast plateau, which are bounded in either side by the Main Ethiopian Rift
and Afar Rift. The E-W rift transversal structure called Addis Ababa-Nekemte
tectonic line (Abbate and Sagri, 1980) or Yerer-Tulu Wollel Volcano Tectonic

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Lineament (YTVL) (Abebe et al., 1998) divided the west plateau volcanics into
Northwestern and Southwestern Plateau (Fig. 6). The Arjo area is formed the
Southwestern Ethiopia Plateau volcanics. Until now, no unified litho-stratigraphic
divisions are put forward for the southwestern Ethiopia flood basalts. Merla et al.
(1979) subdivided the southwestern Ethiopia flood basalts into three stages: - (1) the
Omo Basalts (40 to 25 Ma), (2) the Jimma Volcanics (30 to 21 Ma) and (3) the
Wellega Basalts (15 to 7 Ma). Davidson and Rex (1980) also recognized three units: -
(1) the Main Volcanic Sequence (49.4 to 30.5 Ma), (2) the Mekonnen Basalts (32.8 to
21.2 Ma), and (3) a Post-rift sequence (13.0 Ma to present day). Later Davidson
(1983) subdivided the Main Volcanic Sequence into two: - (1) the Akobo Basalts
(49.4 to 46.0 Ma) and (2) the rest of the sequence (40.4 to 30.5 Ma). Berhe et al.
(1987) identified four formations in western and southwestern Ethiopia. These are
from oldest to youngest:- (1) Geba Basalts, (2) the Lower aphyric basalts, (3) the
Upper basalts, and (4) the Tulu Wollel and Sayi central type trachytic and transitional
lavas. Tefera et al. (1996) identified two volcanic units in the southwestern Ethiopian
flood basalts. These are; the Jimma Volcanics and the Mekonnen Basalts.
Geochemical (major and trace element and Sr, Nd and Pb isotope) data from the
southwestern Ethiopia volcanics (Ayalew et al., 1999), show that they are derived
from a mantle source that is enriched in U and Th relative to Pb without an associated
increase in Rb/Sr. Their trace element and isotopic signatures are compatible with
derivation from isotopically heterogeneous (Nd and Pb) mantle sources with OIB-like
characteristics that probably contains ancient subducted sediments. Moreover, these
authors suggest that the lavas from southwestern Ethiopia show that crustal
contamination had little or no role in the evolution of these lavas. The enrichment in
LREE and in highly incompatible elements as well as in Ta and Nb is attributable to
crystal fractionation and mantle sources.

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Figure 6. Map showing the distribution of Cenozoic volcanics of Ethiopia (modified after Tefera et al., 1996).
YTVL; Yerer-Tullu Wollel Volcano-tectonic Lineament. Rectangle box is location of the Arjo map sheet.

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Table 2. Litho-stratigraphy of the Cenozoic volcanic rocks of western and southwestern Ethiopia
Age Merla et al. (1979) Davidson and Rex (1980) Davidson (1983) Berhe et al. (1987) Tefera et al. (1996 and
references therein)
Recent- Plateau basalts
Pleistocene
Pleistocene- Tepi Basalts Mursi and Bofa Basalts

Pliocene
Post-rift sequence (13.0 Ma
Trachyte and phonolite plugs
Pliocene-
to present day) Tullu Wollel and Sayi Tullu Wollel Trachytes
Miocene Wellega Basalts Trachytes
Teltele and Surma Basalts Teltele and Surma Basalts
The Mekonnen Basalts (32.8 Mekonnen Basalts Upper basalts Mekonnen Basalts
Miocene- to 21.2 Ma)
Oligocene Lower basalts
Jimma Volcanics The rest of the sequence (40.4 Jimma Volcanics

Oligocene- to 30.5 Ma)
Eocene Omo Basalts
The Main Volcanic Sequence
(49.4 to 30.5 Ma) Geba Basalts
Eocene- Akobo Basalts (49.4 to 46.0 Ashangi Formation
Paleocene Ma)

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3. LITHOLOGY AND STRATIGRAPHY
3.1. INTRODUCTION
The geology of the Arjo area is comprised of Precambrian rocks, Paleozoic-Mesozoic

sedimentary rocks, and Cenozoic rocks consist of Tertiary volcanics and sediments
and Quaternary superficial deposits (Figs. 7 and 8; encl. 1). The Precambrian rocks
represent 5% of the mapped area, which are represented by high-grade gneiss and
migmatites, amphibolite, charnokite, deformed granitoids, massive granites and minor
slivers of low-grade metasediments and metavolcanics. The Paleozoic-Mesozoic
rocks account to ~2% of the area, which are comprised of continental clastic
sediments represented by Getema and Wama Sandstones. The Tertiary volcanics and
sediments represent 86% of the mapped area. The Tertiary volcanic rocks attain a
thickness of 2-2.5 km, and consist of dominantly basaltic flows (70-75%), and acidic
to intermediate flows (rhyolite, trachyte), and pyroclastic rocks and deposits (25%).
The Tertiary sediments, 10 to 100 m thick, consist of sandstone, mudstone, various
shale, minor siltstone, claystone and coal. The Quaternary superficial sediments
account 7% of the mapped area, which are represented by alluvial, eluvial soils,
gravel and sands with local development of silcrete and ferricrete, and river terrace
deposits.
3.2. PRECAMBRIAN ROCKS
The Precambrian rocks in the mapped area represented by layered metamorphic and
intrusive rocks.
The layered metamorphic rocks consist of the following mappable units:-
1. Quartzo-feldspathic gneiss and banded gneiss (Pgne1)

2. Granitoid orthogneisses (Pgne2) and,
3. Hypersthene-quartz-feldspar (charnokite) gneiss (Pgne3)
The intrusive rocks are represented by the following mappable units:-
1. Diorite (Pdt)
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2. Deformed granitoid (Pgt1)

3. Late- to post-tectonic granite (Pgt2)
3.2.1. Quartzo-feldspathic gneiss and Banded gneiss (Pgne1)
This unit generally forms low-lying topography and good exposures are found within
riverbeds and cuts of big rivers like Geba and Didesa rivers. At places they form
isolated hills and peaks with blocky and slabby disturbed outcrop. Quartzo-feldspathic
gneiss and banded gneiss are the dominant rock types, which accounts 60 to 70 % of
the unit. Amphibolite, biotite gneiss, biotite-hornblende gneiss, and metasedimentary
gneiss represent 30 to 40% of the map unit. Massive to deformed intrusive rocks
ranging in composition from gabbro to granite variably intrude the unit. These rocks
are less migmatized compared to the granitoid orthogneisses (unit Pgne2).
Banded gneiss
The rock is characteristically banded which consists of alternating felsic and mafic
bands ranging in thickness from 0.5 cm to 1 m and dips gently to moderately. The
boundaries between the felsic and mafic bands are sharp to gradational. The felsic
layers are grey to pinkish grey, medium-grained and are of granitic to granodioritic
and rarely tonalitic in composition. The mafic bands are represented by biotite gneiss
and biotite-hornblende gneiss. At places, the mafic bands occur either as pods or
discontinuous layers (lenses) within the felsic bands. They are irregularly cut by
pegmatite veins and vein lets, which are having variable width and trends. Some of
the veins contain biotite in addition to quartz and k-feldspar. The rock is affected by
E-W and N-S striking vertical dipping joint sets.
In thin sections the felsic bands are composed of 30-35% quartz, 10-40% K-feldspar
(perthitic microcline), 15-55% plagioclase, and 10-12% biotite. Epidote, opaques,
sphene, zircon and apatite represent the accessory minerals. The mafic bands are dark
grey, medium-grained and composed of 35-40% plagioclase, 25-30% quartz, 15-20%
biotite, 10-20% hornblende and trace amounts of opaque minerals, epidote, sphene
and apatite. The quartz grains are highly stretched and show undulose extinction. In

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Figure 7. Litho-stratigraphy of the area.

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Figure 8. Simplified geological map of the area (details of the lithological units are shown on the 1:250,000 map of the area; encl.1).

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sheared rocks recrystallization of quartz at grain boundaries is also noted. Intense

alterations of plagioclase to sericite and epidote, and biotite to chlorite are observed.
The biotite gneiss from the mafic band is composed of 38% quartz, 22% plagioclase,
21% biotite, 12% K-feldspar, 2% opaque minerals, 2% sericite, 1% muscovite, 1%
apatite and trace amounts of zircon, sphene and chlorite. Some of the quartz crystals
are extremely stretched (ribbon) and show wavy extinction. The preferred orientations
of biotite flakes together with felsic rich zone (palgioclase+quartz+K-feldspar) define
the gneissosity. The grain boundaries between grains are sutured but dominantly
straight and contain recrystallization of fine crystals. Sericitization of plagioclase and
chloritization of biotite are common alterations. The hornblende gneiss is composed
of 63% hornblende, 18% plagioclase, 8% quartz, 4% epidote, 2% biotite, 1% sphene,
1% apatite, 1% opaque minerals, 1% calcite and trace amounts of muscovite, chlorite
and sericite. At places hornblende gabbro/diorite is exposed as a pod together with the
biotite and hornblende gneisses. It is dark green, coarse grained and massive.
Petrographically, it is composed of 55% hornblende, 18% plagioclase, 16% quartz,
3% epidote, 3% sphene, 2% opaque minerals, 1% chlorite, 1% apatite and trace
amounts of zircon, sericite and microcline. Alteration of plagioclase to sericite and
hornblende to epidote and chlorite are noted.
Quartzo-feldspathic gneiss
The rock is grey, greyish white and pale pink, fine- to medium-grained and shows
weakly to strongly developed gneissic banding. The gneissic banding is defined by
alternation of quartz and feldspar rich and biotite and/or magnetite rich layers ranging
in thickness from 1 to 5 mm. At places the rock is coarse-grained and looks
pegmatitic. Along shear zone the rocks are strongly foliated and lineated and crop out
as quartzo-feldspathic mylonite. Thin sections study show that the quartzo-feldspathic
gneiss is composed of 30-35% quartz, 40-45% plagioclase, 10-15% K-feldspar
(mainly microcline), 5-10% biotite and minor amounts of opaque minerals,
hornblende and sphene.

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Amphibolite
It is the other common rock type in this unit, which is observed either interlayered
with the banded gneiss or as separate pods measured 1-2 m in length and 0.5-1 m in
width. However, at places amphibolite constitute layers ranging in thickness from few
centimetres up to 2 m are observed intercalated with quartzo-feldspathic gneiss and
biotite-hornblende gneiss. The amphibolite is greyish black, medium-grained, and
weakly foliated to strongly gneissose. It is composed of 50-55% plagioclase, 35-45%
hornblende and 5-6% biotite with minor amounts of opaque, pyroxene and apatite.
The rock is characterized by granoblastic to poikilioblastic texture.
Biotite-hornblende gneiss
The rock is light to dark grey, medium grained and weakly to strongly gneissose. The
gneissosity is defined by segregation of mafic and felsic minerals, which measures up
to centimetre in thickness. Thin sections study revealed that it is composed of 35-40%
plagioclase, 25-30% quartz, 15-25% hornblende, and 10-15% biotite. Sphene, opaque,
apatite, epidote and allanite are observed as accessory minerals.
Metasedimentary gneiss
Less frequent association of this map unit is represented by metasedimentary gneisses

which are comprised of garnet-biotite gneiss, calc-silicate rocks and sillimanite-quartz
gneiss. Garnet-biotite gneiss is light to medium grey, medium-grained and gneissose.
It is composed of 35-40% plagioclase, 30-35% quartz, 15-25% biotite and 3-5%
garnet with minor amounts of K-feldspar, hornblende, sphene, and epidote. The calc-
silicate rocks are represented by tremolite-diopside gneiss and fels, and pyroxene-
hornblende-plagioclase gneiss. Tremolite-diopside gneiss is composed of 35-40%
plagioclase, 20-25% quartz, 15-20% diopside and minor amounts of epidote, sphene,
calcite and amphibole as secondary minerals. Pyroxene-hornblende gneiss is
composed of 40% plagioclase, 30% hornblende, 25% clinopyroxene (diopsidic), and
minor amounts of K-feldspar, opaque, sphene and garnet. The rock exhibits
granoblastic texture. The sillimanite-quartz gneiss is composed of 70% quartz, 20%
sillimanite and minor amounts of muscovite, kyanite and K-feldspar.

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3.2.2. Granitoid orthogneiss (Pgne2)
This unit is characteristically forming domical hills and ridges; and formed the
outstanding Chuta Mountain in the northwestern part of the area. It has sub-circular
and elliptical shape in map outline that is widest in the centre and narrows at ends
(encl.1). Its contact with unit Pgne1 is tectonic, which is marked by NE-trending
ductile D3 shear zones. Lithologically, it is represented by varying proportion of
migmatized granite gneiss, granodiorite gneiss, tonalite gneiss and rarely dioritic
gneiss with subordinate biotite gneiss, hornblende gneiss and quartzo-feldspathic
gneiss. Minor screens of metasediments and metavolcanics tectonically interleaved
with the granitoid gneiss are common.
Granite gneiss
Granite gneiss represents the largest part of the unit, which formed outstanding ridges
like Mt. Chuta, which is characterized by blocky, boulder and slabby outcrop. It is
medium- to coarse-grained, and foliated, but gneissic layering is poorly developed.
Most of the granitic gneiss especially at Mt. Chuta contains abundant large (up to 6
cm in length) K-feldspar megacrysts deformed to oval augens classified as augen
granitic gneiss. They are variably deformed and sheared, and in zones of high strain
the augens are strongly flattened, defining an almost perfect lineation. Otherwise,
outside the high strain zone, preferred orientations are absent or poorly developed.
Massive to weakly foliated, medium- to coarse-grained and inequigranular granite
variably intrude the granitic gneiss. The granite gneiss is variably migmatized and the
following migmatitic phases are observed in outcrop. The melanosome is fine- to
medium-grained and essentially composed of biotite and amphibole. The leucosome
is comprised of quartzo-feldspathic, pegmatite and leucogranite dykes and sheets,
which contain large (up to 3 cm in length) perthitic K-feldspar and plagioclase set
within interstitial quartz and feldspar. The common type of migmatitic structures seen
on outcrop are represented by folded, raft and agmatic types.
Thin sections study show that the granite gneiss is composed of 25-35% quartz, 30-
45% K-feldspar (mainly perthitic microcline), 20-30% plagioclase, 5-10% biotite and
minor amounts of hornblende and muscovite. The accessory phases are represented by

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zircon, allanite, apatite, sphene and opaques. The rock exhibits deformational texture
as seen by strong undulatory extinction of quartz grains, bending and tapering of
plagioclase twinning, fractured feldspar grains, and kinked biotite. Otherwise, in most
of the thin sections, hypidiomorphic granular texture is seen, which suggests that the
rock is derived from original granitic intrusive rocks. Thin sections from granitic
augen gneiss show that the rock is composed of 20-25% quartz, 25-35% K-feldspar,
25-40% plagioclase, 10-15% biotite, 3-5% hornblende. Sphene, opaques, epidote,
zircon, apatite and allanite represent the accessory phases. K-feldspar grains are
mainly perthitic microcline and observed as large (4-5 mm) crystals. It contains
inclusion of quartz and plagioclase which may suggest that it is formed late.
Myrmekitic intergrowth of plagioclase and quartz along the boundary of K-feldspar is
common. Sphene is observed as separate euhedral to subhedral grains with well-
developed rhombohedral cross-section and as overgrowth on opaques. Epidote is
observed both as primary and secondary phase. The primary epidote grains are seen
developed grain boundaries with biotite and amphibole grains and rimmed the allanite
grains. The secondary epidotes are mainly derived from plagioclase. The augen
granite gneiss is varying in texture from hypidiomorphic granular to cataclastic and
mylonitic.
Granodiorite/tonalite gneiss
These are the common rock types next to the granite gneiss formed discontinuous hill
tops and dissected valleys and ridges. They are grey, medium- to coarse-grained and
varying in texture from foliated and gneissose to massive. At places, they exhibit
weakly to strongly develop gneissic banding, which measures from few millimetres
up to 3 centimeters thick. They are commonly uniform in outcrop and preserved relict
igneous (granular) texture. At places they are grading to dioritic gneiss and contain
xenoliths of amphibolite. They are variably migmatized, which are affected by both
insitu and injection migmatization, in which the rocks have been intruded by a
network of quartzo-feldspathic, pegmatite and leucogranite dykes and sheets. The
common type of migmatitic structures seen on outcrop are represented by folded, raft
and phelbitic type.

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Thin sections study show that the granodiorite/tonalite gneiss is composed of 40-65%
plagioclase, 20-25% quartz, trace-10% K-feldspar (mainly perthitic microcline), 5-
10% biotite, and 8-15% hornblende. Sphene, opaques, epidote, zircon, apatite and
allanite represent the accessory phases. Chlorite, epidote and muscovite/sericite are
observed as secondary minerals.
Biotite gneiss and biotite-hornblende gneiss
These rock types account the smallest part of the map unit, which are observed
intercalated with quartzo-feldspathic gneiss and amphibolite. They are light to dark
grey, medium-grained and show well-developed gneissic banding. Thin sections show
that they are composed of 30-40% plagioclase (oligoclase-andesine), 10-25% quartz,
15-35% hornblende, 20-25% biotite and minor amounts of opaques, sphene, K-
feldspar and epidote. Apatite, zircon, and allanite are common accessory minerals.
3.2.3. Hypersthene-quartz-feldspar (charnokite) gneiss (Pgne3)
This unit is exposed in the northwestern part of the mapsheet around the locality
called Urgo and Bereda area west of Chamman village. The manner of outcrop is
blocky and boulder forming hills and ridges. Its contact with the granitoid
orthogneisses (unit Pgne2) is tectonic marked by a NNE-trending dextral strike-slip
shear zone. The rock is pink and greyish pink, fine to medium-grained and looks
banded on outcrop, but appears massive in hand specimen. Petrographic study shows
that the rock is composed of 30-40% quartz, 35-40% perthitic K-feldspar, 20-25%
plagioclase, 5-10% hypersthene, 5-10% opaques and trace amounts of sphene. The
rock is characterized by granoblastic-polygonal texture and shows well-developed
grain boundaries with triple-junction.
Metasediments and metavolcanics are observed tectonically interleaved within this

unit. The metasediments are comprised of biotite-quartz-feldspar schist, biotite schist
and metasandstone/greywacke. They are commonly displaying a differential layering
and cut by quartz-veins and veinlets, which are sheared and transposed in north-south
direction. The biotite-quart-feldspar schist is composed of 30-35% quartz, 20-30% K-

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feldspar, 10-25% plagioclase, 20-25% biotite and minor amounts of muscovite,

opaques, sphene and garnet. The metasandstone/greywacke is composed of 35%
quartz 25% plagioclase, 20% K-feldspar, 15% opaques and trace amounts of alkali
amphiboles. On the basis of dark blue colour and strong pleochroism the alkali
amphiboles are riebeckite. Moreover, the occurrences of these alkali amphiboles as
needle shape further suggest that they are of crocidolite variety (?). The
metavolcanics are observed either as intercalations within the metasediments or as
alteration of basic metavolcanics or mafic intrusives along shear zones.
Lithologically, they are represented by quartz-epidote-chlorite-amphibole-plagioclase
schist, and amphibole schist.
3.2.4. Diorite (Pdt)
This map unit is exposed in the north-eastern part of the area forming the peaks of the
Boka Gudura hills. It also occurs as mappable megaenclaves within the massive
granite (unit Pgt2). The rock is dark grey, medium- to coarse-grained and massive. It
is often cut by network of granite veins and veinlets. Thin sections study show that the
diorite in average is composed of 67% plagioclase, 8% hornblende, 6% biotite, 6%
opaques, 5% K-feldspar, 4% quartz and 2% apatite. Pyroxene, epidote and sphene are
observed as accessory minerals.
3.2.5. Granitoid (Pgt1)
They are sub-circular to elliptical in shape in map outline and account to 12% of the
exposed Precambrian rocks of the area (see enclosure). Good exposure of the
granitoid is found around the localities called Daka Bana, situated north of Tullema
village, and Daka Batu located northeast of Meko town, which crop out as boulders
and big blocks measured up to 4 m in height. Lithologically they are dominantly
granite, granodiorite and tonalite with subordinate diorite/gabbro (Fig. 9). They are
variably sheared and deformed by D3 ductile shearing and show a wide range of
mylonitic texture, which ranges from protomylonite to ultramylonite. However,

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outside the shear zone they are weakly foliated to massive, suggesting that they are
emplaced before D3 deformation and during/after D1 and D2 deformation.
Granite, which represents the dominant part of the map unit, is pink to greyish pink
and varying in texture from medium-grained inequigranular to megacrystic containing
K-feldspar megacrysts measured in length from 1 to 6 cm. It is variably affected by
ductile shearing and shows progressive sequential textural development from
protomylonite to mylonite. In the zone of protomylonite K-feldspar megacrysts are
strained into lensoid/sigmoidal aggregates. It is intruded by late massive granite and
pegmatite, which contain medium- to coarse-grained quartz and K-feldspar, which are
intergrown in graphic textures.
Thin sections study revealed that the granite is composed of 45-55% K-feldspar
(microcline), 20-30% quartz, 5-10% biotite, and 10-25% plagioclase. Opaques,
sphene, epidote, allanite and zircon represent the accessory minerals. They are
variably sheared and recrystallized, in which large porphyroclasts of K-feldspar,
plagioclase and quartz are set within dynamically recrystallized matrix of quartz and
K-feldspar. However, in less deformed rocks hypidiomorphic granular texture is
common. Biotite is the characteristic mafic mineral, and is brown to reddish brown
and chloritized. In sheared varieties the biotites are deformed (kinked) and partly
reduced to the aggregates of sphene and opaques. Epidote is commonly observed as
separate anhedral to euhedral crystal which is in contact with most other phases, but
in much smaller amounts as secondary minerals in limited alteration of mafic minerals
and plagioclase. The euhedral and anhedral epidote may possibly be a primary
(magmatic) phase. Allanite is observed as separate euhedral to subhedral grains and
formed the core of epidote. Following the classification of Streckeisen (1976), the
granites are plotted in the field of monzogranite with few samples plotted in the field
of syenogranite (Fig. 9). The syenogranites contain up to 2% garnet.
Tonalite and granodiorite are the abundant rock type next to the granite. They are
greyish white, medium-grained, and foliated. In thin sections, the granodiorite is
composed of 45-50% plagioclase, 20-25% biotite, 10-15% K-feldspar, 5-8% biotite,
3-5% sphene, and minor amounts of opaque, epidote, and hornblende. Accessory
phases are represented by zircon and allanite. Plagioclase is slightly sericitized and

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exhibit myrmekitic intergrowth with quartz along most contacts with K-feldspar. K-
feldspar is mainly interstitial and perthitic. Sphene grains are observed as separate
euhedral to subhedral, with rhombohedra cross-section and as overgrowth on opaque.
Epidote is unaltered and observed as euhedral to subhedral grains in contact with
biotite and plagioclase and contains inclusion of quartz. It could be magmatic in
origin. Tonalite is composed of 55-60% plagioclase, 20-25% quartz, 10-15% biotite,
and minor amounts of hornblende, epidote, K-feldspar, opaque and sphene. Zircon,
apatite and allanite represent accessory phases. They exhibit both magmatic and
deformation fabrics. The magmatic fabric is characterized by alignment of irregular
clumps of plagioclase and biotite. In deformed rocks the rock is characterized by
alignment of flattened quartz and plagioclase, and by the preferred orientation of
biotite grains. Some of the biotite grains are kinked and deformed into aggregates of
sphene. Diorite is observed as pods and pockets within the above rocks. It is greyish
black, fine- to medium-grained and foliated. In thin sections the diorite is composed
of 35-50% plagioclase, 30-55% hornblende, and minor amounts of sphene, opaque,
epidote, biotite, pyroxene and quartz. The rock exhibits hypidiomorphic granular
texture.

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Figure 9. QAP diagram for granitoid (Pgt1). Fields: A, alkali feldspar granite; B, syenogranite; C,
monzogranite; D, granodiorite; E, tonalite; F, diorite/gabbro (after Streckeisen, 1976).
3.2.6. Late- to post-tectonic granite (Pgt2)
They are exposed in the western part of the mapped area, west of Abdela village, and
around the localities called Boka Gudura, Terfa and Tulu Senbeta as separate circular
to sub-circular body forming hills and ridges, and crop out as big rounded blocks. At
places (Teba Chebeli, Gemeda and Yaya Sota localities), they form blocky small
inselbergs and patchy outcrops on hillsides and stream beds. They represent 10% of
the exposed Precambrian rocks.
This unit is a relatively homogenous body made up of medium- to coarse- grained,

massive, pink to greyish pink and leucocratic granite. They are varying in texture
from medium-grained inequigranular to slightly megacrystic. The megacrystic granite
is characterized by large pink K-feldspar (up to 5 cm in length) embedded in fine- to
medium-grained groundmass of K-feldspar, plagioclase, quartz and biotite.
Petrographically, they are composed of 20-35% quartz, 40-45% perthitic K-feldspar,
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10-15% plagioclase, 2-10% biotite, and up to 5% hornblende. Opaques, zircon,

allanite, and sphene represent the accessory minerals. They generally exhibit
hypidiomorphic granular texture, but some of these rocks are recrystallized and large
crystals of K-feldspar and plagioclase set within the recrystallized matrix of quartz
and plagioclase.

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3.3. PALEOZOIC – MESOZOIC SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
3.3.1. Getema Sediments (Pzg)
Getema Sediments named after the town called Getema, which is situated along the
road between Arjo and Nekemte. Good exposure of these rocks exposed within Aleltu
stream along Arjo-Getema road and along Getema-Ambelta road cut exposure. The
sediments unconformably overlie the Precambrian rocks, and underlie the Tertiary
volcanics, which attains a maximum thickness of 250 m at Getema-Ambelta road cut
exposure. It is dominantly sandstone with intercalations of siltstone, mudstone,
claystone and shale with glacial sediments at the base and minor interbeds of coal.
Commonly the sediments are horizontal, but at Getema-Ambelta section they dip 5
to 10 towards northeast. At places (around Kewisa village), the sediments dip up to
30 towards northeast.
From bottom to top the Getema sediments are represented by the following
lithofacies:-
I. Glacial sediments: - 10-20 m thick, formed the base of the succession and
consist of sandstone and siltstone. They are fine-to medium-grained and
contain angular to sub-rounded clasts of granitic gneiss measured 1 cm to 0.5
m in length and 1 cm to 0.4 m in width.
II. Siltstone with frequent interbeds of shale: - 5-50 m thick and thinly laminated.
III. Sandstone: - 20-30 m thick, greyish yellow to grey, medium-grained and
laminated to bedded (1 mm-2 m).
IV. Shale: - yellowish brown and frequently interbedded with the sandstone.
About five layers of shale measured in thickness between 30 cm to 2 m are
seen.
V. Massive to thickly bedded Sandstone: - represents the largest part of the
lithofacies and attains a thickness of about 100 m. It is greyish yellow, fine- to
medium-grained, massive to thickly bedded and weathered to friable. Towards
the top of the succession it is interbedded with 0.3 to 2 m thick yellowish

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brown and fissile shale, and minor coal beds and seams. Petrographic study
from representative thin sections revealed that the sandstone is composed of
75-85% quartz, 5-20% feldspar and minor amounts of muscovite, biotite,
epidote and rock fragments. Following the classification of Pettijohn (1984),
the sandstones can be classified as quartz arenite, arkose and subarkose.
3.3.2. Wama Sandstone (Mzw)
Wama Sandstone is named after Wama River, which is the major tributary of Didesa
River. It is commonly red and pinkish red with minor greyish yellow and white
sandstone with minor conglomeratic interbeds, which is attaining a minimum
thickness of 10 m and a maximum thickness of 100 m. It unconformably overlies the
Precambrian rocks, and underlies the Tertiary volcanics.
From bottom to top the Wama Sandstone is represented by the following lithofacies:-
I. Conglomerate and conglomeratic sandstone: - 3-5 m thick, massive, poorly
sorted, to poorly stratify.
II. Sandstone: - up to 30 m thick, coarse-grained, massive, poorly sorted and
immature. Locally shows graded bedding. It is composed of quartz and lithic
fragments measured in length up to 3 cm. Following the classification of
Pettijohn (1984) the sandstone can be named as lithic arenite.
III. Sandstone: - 5-50 m thick, red, well sorted and mature. It is composed of 80-
90% quartz, 1-5% feldspar and trace amounts of micas. According to the
classification of Pettijohn (1984) the sandstone can be named as quartz arenite.
IV. Sandstone: - 20 m thick, reddish brown, medium grained and cross bedded. It
is composed of up to 90% quartz and minor amounts of opaque minerals,
which are cemented by silica and hematite.

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3.4. CENOZOIC ROCKS
3.4.1. Tertiary Volcanics

The Tertiary volcanics in the Arjo area are represented by the following mappable
units. From oldest to youngest, these are:-
1. The Gibe Group
2. The Limu Genet Group
3. The Arjo Group
4. The Jibat Group, and
5. The Trachyte flows and plugs (Figs.7an 8, enclosure)
The division of the Tertiary volcanics in to Gibe, Limu Genet, Arjo and Jibat groups
is based on varying proportions of basalt and silicic rocks (trachyte, rhyolite and
pyroclastic rocks), topographic appearances, flow morphology and to a lesser extent
in stratigraphy.
3.4.1.1. The Gibe Group
The Gibe group occupies deeply dissected valleys, river, streambeds, and flat-lying
areas and consists of predominantly basalt with subordinate acidic to intermediate
volcanic rocks. The Tertiary sediments (unit Tst) separate the Gibe group from the
overlying Limu Genet group. It attains a minimum thickness of 10 m and a maximum
thickness of 600 m.
Two mappable units are recognized within the Gibe group (Fig. 7; encl. 1). These are:
1. Lower basalt (Tglb), and

2. Upper basalt (Tgub)
Lower basalt (Tglb)
This unit makes up the dominant part of the Gibe group, which attains a maximum
thickness of 500 m at Akote-Gilgel Gibe section, where the base of the section is not
exposed and a minimum thickness of 80 m at Arjo-Ketketo section (Fig. 10). At Arjo-
Ketketo section it overlies the Precambrian basement above red sandstone. The

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thickness decreases towards northwest and west of the mapped area. Aweke and
Assaye (2004) mapped similar rocks in the western part of the area within the Geba R.
Here, it attains a thickness of 10 m.
The lower basalt is divided into three flow units; Lower unit, Middle unit, and Upper
unit (Fig. 10, Akote-Gilgel Gibe section). The lower unit attains a thickness of 95 m,
consists of aphyric and phyric (olivine and pyroxene) basalts showing either columnar
or sheet jointing. In the phyric basalts the phenocrysts represent 20% of the volume of
the rock, where the pyroxene phenocrysts dominated over olivine. The middle unit
usually forms a gentle topography and attains a maximum thickness of about 145 m.
It is mainly comprised of aphyric basalts with subordinate phyric (pyroxene) basalts.
The basalts are slightly vesicular to amygdaloidal. In the amygdaloidal basalts the
amygdules are dominantly silica in compositions. The upper unit is formed cliff and
attains a maximum thickness of 265 m. It is composed of dominantly phyric (olivine
and plagioclase) basalts. Towards the top part the basalts are vesicular and
amygdaloidal. In the amygdaloidal basalts the amygdules are both silica and calcite
and make up 10-20% volume of the rock.
The Upper basalt (Tgub)
This unit is crop out in the southeastern part of the area either formed the Gibe river
cliff or hills/ridges south of Barri, Kumbi and Gola areas. It is formed by associations
of basalts (aphyric and phyric), and intermediate to acidic volcanic rocks (trachy
basalt, trachyte and pyroclastic rocks). It conformably overlies the lower basalt and
attains a maximum thickness of 190 m.
The aphyric and phyric (pyroxene) basalts represent the dominant part of the group. In
the phyric basalts the pyroxene phenocrysts constitute up to 20-25% of the volume of
the rock. At places the phyric basalts are observed interlayered with vesicular and
amygdaloidal basalts. The intermediate to acidic volcanic rocks are commonly
observed towards the top part of the successions. The trachy basalts and trachytes
constitute the largest part of the intermediate to acidic volcanic rocks. They are light
to dark grey and pinkish grey, fine to medium grained and porphyritic. In porphyritic

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varieties the phenocrysts (mainly sanidine) make up 25-30% of the volume of the
rock. The pyroclastic rocks are comprised of greyish white to white and compacted
(welded) tuff with minor agglomerate. The agglomerate consists of angular to sub
rounded fragments of rhyolite, basalt and trachyte.
3.4.1.2. The Limu Genet Group
Four mappable units are identified in this group. From oldest to youngest these are:
1. Lower silicics (Tlls),
2. Lower basalt (Tllb),
3. Upper silicics (Tlus), and
4. Upper basalt (Tlub) (Fig. 7, encl. 1)
Lower silicics (Tlls)
This unit is represented by varying proportions of trachyte, rhyolite and pyroclastic

rocks. Either it directly overlies the Gibe group or separating from the underlying
Gibe group by deposition of Tertiary sediments (Limu and Boter Becho sediments). It
attains a maximum thickness of 350 m at Akote-Gilgel Gibe section and a minimum
of 175 m at Limu Seka section (Fig. 10).
The trachyte represents the dominant part of the lower silicics and represented by
fine-grained aphanitic and porphyritic varieties. The porphyritic trachyte is grey,
greyish green, and consists of phenocrysts of alkali feldspar (dominantly sanidine)
measured in length from 2-10 cm, and make up of 5 to 30% of the volume of the rock.
The fine-grained and aphanitic trachyte is grey to greyish green fresh color and
brownish yellow to greyish yellow weathered colour. Commonly massive, but
occasionally shows flow layering with layers measured in thickness from 1 to 10 cm.
Thin sections study showed that the average composition of the trachyte is 40% alkali
feldspar (sanidine), 15% quartz, 10% plagioclase, 10% opaques, up to 20% volcanic
glass, and trace amounts of amphibole and pyroxene.
The rhyolite is the next dominant lithology in the lower silicics, which is exposed
either as separate exposure with blocky outcrops or as intercalation with the trachyte.
It is generally pink to pinkish grey, fine- to medium-grained, weathered and fractured.

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The pyroclastics formed the top part of the lower silicics, which consists of
agglomerate and tuffs. The tuff is grey to light grey and contains lithic fragments of
basalts and rhyolites, which lies within ashy matrix. The thickness varies from few
meters up to 10 m at places. The agglomerate is greyish brown, fresh to slightly
weathered and contains pebble to cobble size basalt fragments within feruginized ash
matrix. The thickness of the agglomerate varies from 3 to 5 m, but it attains a
maximum thickness of 50 m in Echa and Beleti localities.
Lower basalt (Tllb)
This unit is unconformably overlying the Lower silicics (unit Tlls) and conformably
underlies the Upper silicics (Tlus), and attains a maximum thickness of 290 m at
Akote-Gilgel Gibe section and a minimum thickness of 85 m at Nono-Gibe section
(Fig. 10). Lithologically it is represented by varying proportions of phyric and aphyric
basalts.
The Lower basalt is divided into three flow units based on varying proportions and
texture of phyric and aphyric basalts. These are; the Lower, Middle and Upper flow
units. The lower flow unit 50 to 100 m thick is dominantly composed of aphyric
basalts with minor intercalations of phyric (plagioclase-phyric) basalts towards the top
part of the successions. The phyric basalt is grey to greyish black and varies in texture
from aphanitic to amygdaloidal. The amygdaloidal basalts consist of silica-filled
amygdules, which make up to 15% of the volume of the rock. The middle flow unit
100 to 200 m thick is dominantly composed of phyric basalts with subordinate
aphyric basalts. The phyric basalts are dominantly olivine-phyric with subordinate
olivine-pyroxene phyric, pyroxene-phyric and olivine-plagioclase phyric. The olivine-
phyric basalts contain phenocrysts of olivine, which make up 10 to 20% of the
volume of the rock and measured in length up to 2 cm. Thin sections study showed
that the olivine-phyric basalt is composed of 30-40% olivine, trace-5% pyroxene
(augitic), 1-10% opaques, which lie in the fine-grained groundmass (35-60%),
composed of microlites of plagioclase, opaques, olivine and pyroxene. The upper flow
unit is measured in thickness from 50 to 100 m and dominantly composed of
pyroxene-phyric basalts with subordinate plagioclase-phyric and aphyric basalts. The

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pyroxene-phyric basalt is composed of 30-50% pyroxene (augitic), trace-15% olivine,

trace-10% plagioclase and 5-15% opaques, which lie in fine-grained groundmass (20-
30%), composed of olivine, plagioclase and pyroxene. The pyroxene-phyric basalt is
characterized by ophitic to sub-ophitic texture.
Upper silicics (Tlus)
The Upper silicics are comprised of dominantly trachyte with subordinate rhyolite and
pyroclastics, which formed plateaus and flat top ridges. The thickness ranges from 80
to 100 m, but it attains a maximum thickness of 300 m at Akote-Gilgel Gibe section
(Fig. 10). The trachyte which represents the largest part of the unit is greyish green to
greenish grey fresh colour and greyish brown to greyish white weathered color. It is
represented by aphanitic and porphyritic varieties. The porphyritic trachyte consists of
sanidine phenocrysts measured in length from 1-5 cm, which lies in fine-medium
grained matrix. The phenocrysts make up to 15% of the volume of the rock.
Petrographically the trachyte is composed of 50-60% sanidine, 5-10% plagioclase,

trace-5% pyroxene, trace-5% amphibole and up to 40% fine-grained groundmass
composed of laths of plagioclase and alkali feldspars. It is dominantly shows trachytic
texture, but few samples are characterized by glomeroporphyritic texture.
Upper basalt (Tlub)
This unit is exposed as discontinuous exposure forming flat top ridges and hills. It is
composed of essentially phyric basalts represented by varying proportions of olivine-
phyric, pyroxene-phyric and plagioclase-phyric basalts. The thickness varies from 100
to 150 m. Thin sections study showed that the basalt is composed of 10-20% olivine,
10-15% pyroxene, 5-10% plagioclase, and 10-20% opaques, which lie with 30-40%
groundmass consists of plagioclase laths and olivine microlites. The basalt shows both
seriate and ophitic texture.

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3.4.1.3. The Arjo Group
The Arjo group volcanics are divided into four mappable units (Fig. 7, encl. 1):-
1. Lower basalt (Talb),
2. Pyroclastics (Tapx),
3. Middle basalt (Tamb), and
4. Upper basalt (Taub)
Lower basalt (Talb)
This unit represents the largest part of the Arjo group volcanics, which
unconformably overlies the Precambrian rocks and the Tertiary sediments (Geba
Sediments), and underlies the pyroclastic deposits of unit Tapx. Commonly it is
forming gentle slope and steep cliffs, but at places it forms low lying rounded hills,
which rise for about few tens of meters above the plain. It attains an average thickness
of 40 to 50 m, but it is thicker to the northeast at Wangere ridge around Gumbi
locality, where it attains a maximum thickness of 280 m. The rock is greyish black to
black and commonly aphanitic to locally porphyritic and amygdaloidal, with
amygdules filled by calcite and zeolite (?). The bottom part of the flow is largely
porphyritic with phenocrysts of dominantly olivine and rarely pyroxene, which lie
within aphanitic to fine-grained groundmass. The phenocrysts are varying in
proportion, which makes up to 20 % of the volume of the rock, and measured in
length from few millimetres up to 3 cm.
Petrographically, the basalt is composed of 10-30% olivine, and 30-50% plagioclase,

and 10-20% opaque minerals, which lie within 30-40% cryptocrystalline to glassy
groundmass. Olivine grains are anhedral to subhedral and are fractured and show
zoning. They are variably altered to iddingsite and chlorite. The plagioclase grains
show zoning and observed as phenocrysts and as laths dominate the groundmass. The
texture of the rock is varying from intergranular seriatic to ophitic and subophitic and
rarely glomeroporphyritic.

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Pyroclastics (Tapx)
This unit is unconformably overlying the lower basalt (Talb), and its contact with
overlying middle basalt (Tamb) is gradational, but locally defined by a slight slope
breaks. The base of this unit in most outcrops, especially in the Kumbabe, Dilbi, Toba
and Uta localities is traceable using sharp topographic break in which the underlying
lower basalt forms a gentle slope and that of a pyroclastic deposit forms a relatively
steep slope. The pyroclastic deposits attained the maximum thickness of about 150 m
near the Kumbabe town (Koda area) and drastically, decreases towards the south,
northeast and north and attained a thickness of few tens of meters (about 20 m) in the
Abdela and Tulu Mute areas.
The pyroclastics are mainly represented by associations of tuff (both lithic and vitric
tuff), and ignimbrite with minor beds of reworked ash and clastic sediments. The base
of the pyroclastics, which is exposed in the Leka and Yembo areas, is made of
reworked ash and clastic sediments. The thickness of the sediments varies from 3 m
(Yembo area) to 16 m (Leka area). It increased toward south and southeast and
attained some tens of meters in the Bora area. The sediments consist of conglomeratic
sandstone at base, interbedded fine sandstone (siltstone) coal and shale at middle and
grey, medium grained massive sandstone at top part. The thickness of coal reaches 50
cm and appears three times and sometimes interlaminated with the fine sandstone
(siltstone). This association noted in the Leka area and the reworked (redeposited tuff)
is commonly observed in the Yembo area underlying thin siltstone.
The tuff is grey to light grey, and contains angular gravel to boulder size fragments of
basalt, rhyolite, and pumice in tuffaceous matrix. The thickness laterally varies from
few meters to 30 m at places. Towards the bottom part, it is made of about 10 m thick
grey, normal-graded, fining up sequences of tuff. Each bed thickness ranges from 10
cm – 50 cm. The middle part of this layer is made of about 33 m thick moderately
welded lithic tuff. The rock fragments are gravel to sand sized basalt and pumice,
which are fairly rounded and sorted. However, the top part is made of 30 m un-
welded tuff (ash) with sandy size clasts, which seems mainly basalt. The clasts and
ash are mixed in an equal proportion. Averagely the lithic tuff is composed of 51%
ash matrix, 43% rock fragments, 5% quartz, and traces of sanidine, plagioclase,

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opaque minerals and nepheline. It shows discontinuous lamination in the glassy

matrix, which may have caused by extreme compaction and welding of original
pumice fragments. It is characterized by spherulitic texture.
Up the stratigraphy, the tuff is overlain by ignimbrite. It is well exposed in the Koda,
Uta and Tobo sections and attains a maximum thickness of 27 m. The ignimbrite is
greenish grey, very compacted and bears clasts of aphyric and vesicular basalt. The
glass shards (fiammaes) anastomose around these clasts. The crystal ignimbrite
consists of phenocrysts of sanidine, which are aligned to define a flow texture to the
fragments. The top most part of this unit is made of 20 m thick moderately welded to
poorly welded white tuff with pumice fragments occurs in the top most part. The
fragments are gravel to boulder size.
Thin sections study showed that the ignimbrite on average is composed of 39%
groundmass, 34% sanidine, 14%plagioclase, 7% hornblende, 2% opaque minerals,
2% quartz and trace amounts of nepheline, augite and clay minerals. Trachytic,
porphyritic and spherulitic are the common textural features.
Middle basalt (Tamb)
This unit occupies a higher topography and characteristically forming flat top ridges
and plateau. The flow attains an average thickness of 50 to 60 m, but thicker to the
west, which attains a maximum thickness of 175 m around Meko area. It is mainly
comprised of aphanitic basalt with minor layers of plagioclase and pyroxene phyric
basalts. The lower part of this unit is relatively thick (about 200 m) and is made of
columnar jointed aphanitic basalt with lesser amygdaloidal varieties. The amygdules
are usually calcite/silica-filled. Microscopically, this part of the unit is composed of
73% glassy matrix, 19% plagioclase, 3% olivine, 2% opaque minerals, 1% augite and
trace amount of iddingsite, nepheline and epidote. Locally microphenocrysts of
olivine and plagioclases are evident and sometimes cluster and give
glomeroporphyritic texture to the rock. Seriate texture also evident in some thin
sections. Alterations of olivine to iddingsite were documented. Rarely some of the
plagioclase laths show mottled appearance. The middle part of this unit is made of
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about 50 m thick interflow pyroxene and olivine phyric and aphanitic basalts. Locally,
it is vesicular with the vesicles reach up to 10% of the volume of the rock. At places
the vesicles are mostly unfilled and rounded. Petrographic study showed that on the
average the rock is composed of 40% groundmass, 32% plagioclase, 10% opaque
minerals, 8% olivine, 6% augite, 2% sanidine, 1% iddingsite and trace amount of
sericite and calcite. It exhibits porphyritic (olivine, pyroxene and plagioclase phyric),
seriate or poikilitic (plagioclase in olivine) textures. Alignments of plagioclase laths
and minor sanidine are very common (trachytic texture). The top part of this unit
contains aphanitic basalt, porphyritic basalt (plagioclase phyric) and trachy-basalts. Its
thickness ranges from 50 m to 200 m. Petrographically, the basalt is composed of 45-
70% plagioclase, 3-5% olivine, 10-15% opaque, which lie within 20-25%
cryptocrystalline groundmass. The olivine grains are altered to iddingsite. It is
characterized by intergranular, intersertal and rarely subophitic texture.
Upper basalt (Taub)
This unit crop out as northwest trending discontinuous dome-like ridges and hills,
which locally formed cones and isolated peaks (see enclosure). The rock is light grey
to greyish black and varying in texture from aphanitic to phyric, but locally
porphyritic containing olivine phenocrysts measured in length up to 0.5 cm embedded
in aphanitic groundmass. It is columnarlly and platy jointed. The flow is attaining a
maximum thickness of 20 meters.
Thin sections study show that the Upper basalt is composed of 45-60% plagioclase, 3-
5% olivine, 10-15% opaque, which lie within 30-40% cryptocrystalline to glassy
groundmass. It is characterized by intergranular and intersertal texture.
3.4.1.4. The Jibat Group
The Jibat group volcanics are divided into three mappable units (Fig. 7, encl. 1):-
1. Lower basalt (Tjlb),
2. Pyroclastics (Tjpx), and
3. Upper basalt (Tjub)

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Lower basalt (Tjlb)
This map unit consists of layers of aphanitic basalts and plagioclase-phyric basalts
with subordinate pyroclastic rocks measured in thickness from 10 to 30 m. The
aphanitic basalts represent the largest part of the unit are grey to greyish black and
characteristically show sheet jointing. Thin sections study show that the aphanitic
basalts composed of 1-5% pyroxene, 1-8% plagioclase, and trace to 1% olivine lie
within 80-85% glassy to fine-grained groundmass composed of the above minerals.
The plagioclase-phyric basalts consist of plagioclase phenocrysts measured in length
up to 7 cm and make up of up to 15% of the volume of the rock. Thin section study
revealed that the rock in average is composed of 10% plagioclase, 20% opaques and
trace amounts of nepheline within 60% of glassy groundmass. The rock is
characterized by trachytic and pilotaxitic texture. Pyroclastic rocks mostly cover the
top part of the unit. They consist of agglomerate and lapilli tuff.
Pyroclastics (Tjpx)
The pyroclastics consist of pyroclastic flows and agglomerates. The agglomerates are
composed of few centimeters to 0.5 m blocks of basalt and trachytic fragments. At
places the fragments consist of bombs of basaltic scoria. The fragments are lying
within the matrix dominated by iron oxide which gives the rock reddish brown colour.
Upper basalt (Tjub)
This map unit makes up the largest part of the Jibat group volcanics, which attains a
maximum thickness of 1000 m. It is unconformably overlying the lower basalt. In its
type section (Jibat section, Fig. 10) is represented by frequent interlayers of
plagioclase-olivine, plagioclase, pyroxene-olivine, olivine-pyroxene-plagioclase, and
olivine-pyroxene-phyric basalts.
Plagioclase-olivine phyric basalts: observed at the base of the successions and

varying in thickness from 50 to 150 m. The rock is composed of 45-55% olivine, 10-
15% plagioclase, 1-5% opaques and trace amounts of pyroxene within 15-20% glassy

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to fine-grained groundmass. Most of the olivine crystals are altered to iddingsite and
plagioclase crystals commonly show zoning.
Pyroxene-olivine phyric basalts: grey to greyish black, fine-grained to aphanitic and

locally amygdaloidal (calcite-filled), and columnarlly jointed. It is measured in
thickness from 50 to 200 m. Thin sections study show that the basalt is composed of
5-20% olivine, 5-10% pyroxene, trace to 5% plagioclase and 5-10% opaques, which
are lying within cryptocrystalline to glassy groundmass.
Olivine-pyroxene-plagioclase phyric basalts: the thickest flows which attain a

maximum thickness of 300 m. The rock is dark to greyish black, porphyritic to locally
amygdaloidal (dominantly calcite-filled with subordinate zeolite-filled), and jointed. It
is composed of 20-40% plagioclase, 10-15% pyroxene, 5-10% olivine, and trace to
10% opaques within 40-45% fine-grained groundmass consists of microlites of
plagioclase.
Plagioclase-pyroxene-olivine-phyric basalts: represent the top part of the unit and

composed of 25-45% olivine, 5-10% pyroxene, and 1-5% plagioclase, which are lying
within cryptocrystalline groundmass composed of 45-5-% of the rock volume.
3.4.1.5. Trachyte flows and plugs
The trachyte flows and plugs are commonly distributed throughout the map area as
clusters. Three distinct clusters are common in the area. These are; (i) in the western
part exposed in the flat-lying Didesa valley and plains, (ii) in the central part
commonly show north-south alignment, and (iii) in northeastern part between Jibat
and Konchi Mountains.
The trachyte flows are light grey to greenish grey, medium-grained and represented
by porphyritic and aphyric varieties. The porphyritic trachyte consists of phenocrysts
of sanidine measured in length up to 3 cm. The aphyric trachyte shows flow
lamination with lamina ranging in thickness from millimetre up to centimetre.

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The plugs are formed rounded and domical hills, which stands hundreds of meters
above the surrounding plains. Compositionally, they are trachytic with few phonolitic
varieties.

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Figure 10. Lithostratigraphic sections of the Tertiary volcanic rocks of the Arjo area (see figure 8 for location of columnar sections).

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3.4.2. Tertiary Sediments
The Tertiary sediments are comprised of sandstone, mudstone, shale and tuffaceous
sediments with minor interbeds of coal seams. The thickness is varying between 10 and 100
m. These sediments are represented by Geba, Limu, and Boter Becho sediments (Fig. 8 and
enclosure).
3.4.2.1. Geba sediments
The Geba sediments are exposed within the Geba river valley unconformably overlie either
on thin layers of basalt or Precambrian basement rocks. They are represented by successions
of sandstone, various shale, mudstone, coal, siltstone and claystone. The thickness laterally
varies very considerably with in short distances. The sediments are as thin as 15 m in the west
showing thickening to the east where the sediments are attaining a maximum thickness of 130
m.
From bottom to top the Geba Sediments are represented by the following rock types:-
1. The lower shale
2. The lower sandstone and mudstone
3. Coal and oil shale
4. The upper sandstone and mudstone and,
5. The upper shale
Lower shale
The lower shale member unconformably overlies either on the Precambrian basement rocks
(in the Achibo area) or thin layer of aphanitic basalt (in the Sololo and Geda areas). It attains
a maximum thickness of 10 m in Achibo and a minimum thickness of 3 m in Sololo. The
shale is brown to black, and thinly bedded to laminated. At places, in the Achibo area thin (30
cm) bed of coal is observed.

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Lower sandstone and mudstone
This unit is mainly comprised of sandstone and mudstone with minor interbeds of claystone,
shale and coal. It is conformably underlain by shale and overlain by black shale and coal. It
attains a maximum thickness of 64 m in the east at Sololo section, but decreases to the west
and attains a minimum thickness of 25 m at Achibo section. The lower portion of this
member at Sololo locality is mainly contains of grey, medium to coarse grained and coarsely
bedded subarkosic sandstone along with thin beds of (1.5 m) mudstone and black shale (1 m).
However, around Achibo area to the west, this layer is made of light grey, coarsely bedded,
medium to coarse-grained quartz sandstone and thin lithic sandstone (20 cm) layers. The rock
fragments in the lithic sandstone are organic rich (coal). The upper half of this member in
eastern part of the map unit at the Sololo section, (Fig. 11) is dominated by light grey to grey
mudstone with substantial amounts of thickly bedded coarse sandstone, black shale and thin
claystone. Farther to the west, the sandstone and mudstone are interbedded in which the
mudstone appears to have dominated over the sandstone. About 1 m thick coal separates
these beds in addition to black shale and claystone.
Interbedded coal and black shale
It is conformably overlain by shale in the west and that of sandstone and mudstone in the
eastern part of the area. It has a thickness of about 13 m at the Achibo locality (Fig. 11) but
decreases to 7 m towards the eastern part of the map unit. It is mainly comprised of coal,
black shale and claystone. The shale ranges in thickness from 40 cm to 4 m and occurs as
dominantly brownish black to grey coloured interlayers. It is thinly bedded to laminated. The
thickness of claystone ranges form 30-50 cm and appears only once in most cases.
Coal
The coal ranges in thickness from 20 cm to about 4 m and repeatedly interbedded with black
shale and claystone intercalations in the Achibo area. The 4 m thick coal was documented at
the Sololo section within the Hurrissa stream (Fig. 11). The coal is laminated to thinly bedded
but occasionally massive. When it is massive it shows concoidal fracture and exhibit metallic
lustre.

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Upper sandstone and mudstone
This unit is only observed in eastern part of the map unit and attains a maximum thickness of
16 m (Achibo section, Fig. 11). It is comprised of sandstone and mudstone with thin layer of
coal and claystone. At base, this member started with 6 m thick sediments in which 1 m thick
greenish grey mudstone separated 1 m thick medium grained arkosic sandstone and 4 m thick
coarse grained, cross-laminated sandstone at the top. The middle part of this member contains
2 m thick light grey marl/marlstone/mudstone at base and 2 m thick coarse grained, light grey
sandstone and 1.5 m thick lithic sandstone at middle and separated by 50 cm thick coal from
1 m thick claystone at the top part. The mudstone is composed of 60% clay mineral, 37%
calcite and 3% organic materials. The calcite appears to have recrystallized after clay
minerals. The upper part of this member is made of 3 m thick grey, medium to coarse grained
and massively bedded sandstone. The quartz grains are poorly sorted and rounded.
Thin sections study showed that on the average the sandstone is composed of about 59%
quartz, 19% clay and Fe-oxide matrix, 13% microcline, 3% sericite, 2% organic/coal
fragments, 1% plagioclase and trace amounts of muscovite, garnet, zircon, biotite, chlorite
and opaque minerals. The quartz and microcline crystals are commonly angular to sub
rounded. The crystals are clay and Fe-oxide matrixes supported. The sandstone is both
texturally and compositionally immature. Some of the quartz grains are composite with both
sutured and straight grain boundaries. The coal /organic matter/ are found as very thin lenses
and fragments. Following the classification of Pettijohn (1984), the sandstone is named as
arkosic wacke.
Upper Shale member
This member is widely distributed throughout the map unit, and the thickness varies from 33
m at the Sololo section in the east to 6 m in the western margin of the area (Achibo section,
Fig. 11). At Sololo section the unit can be grouped into three major beds. The lower one is 10
m thick cliff forming intercalation of grey and black shale with thin mudstone, whereas the
middle bed contains 6 m thick interbedded coal, black shale (oil shale?), claystone and
mudstone. The black shale (2 m) and the coal (2.4 m) dominate over the others. The coal is
massive with faint internal lamination, had concoidal fracture and exhibit metallic lustre. The
mudstone is white to yellowish white and appears twice with a thickness of 20 cm each. The

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black shale or oil shale is thinly bedded to laminated and exhibit fair metallic lustre. The
claystone usually associated with coal is massive and account for about 1.2 m of the total 6m
thick successions. The upper part of this member is made of about 17 m thick variegated
shale. The shale appears white, greenish grey, grey, brownish black and black. The shale
varies from laminated varieties to thickly bedded (50 cm each bed). However, further to the
west, the upper shale member is comprised of 6 m thick uniform grey to brownish black thin
to thick shale beds (Achibo section).
In Achibo area (Fig. 11) nearly 40 m thick columnar jointed, fine-grained basalt
unconformably overlies the upper shale member. The basalt contains scoraceous basalt
variety towards the contact with the upper shale. This aphyric basalt locally shows
porphyritic (plagioclase phyric) texture. Petrographically, it is composed of 55% groundmass,
21%, plagioclase, 10% opaque minerals, 6% olivine, 6% pyroxene and 2% iddingsite. Rarely,
plagioclase and olivine occur as phenocryst minerals. Alteration of olivine to iddingsite along
fracture planes and marginal part is noted. In the same section, 30 m thick sediments, which
are mainly comprised of mudstone, shale, siltstone with minor coal unconformably, overlie
the basalt. This association is grouped in to three major beds. These are; (i) the lower bed is
10 m thick and is mostly covered, whenever exposed it is comprised of yellowish grey to
white mudstone separated by black friable claystone and coal. The coal, which are
occasionally fissile, appear three times toward the top part of the bed and are 30cm in
thickness. The mudstone is locally compacted and appears redeposited pyroclastic ash. The
claystone of about 30 cm thick occur at the top part the section, (ii) the middle bed is 9 m
thick interbedded grey mudstone (at base), thinly bedded siltstone (middle) and white
mudstone laminated grey shale (at top), and (iii) the upper part is unconformably overlain by
the basalt in the Achibo area. It is about 11 m thick and is covered towards the bottom part
and is comprised of 4 m thick white mudstone (at base), black and grey thinly bedded shale
(at middle) and 3 m thick white massive mudstone at the top part of the section. The
mudstone looks a reworked volcanic ash. This association is not observed in other parts of the
area.
Though not mappable to this scale similar sediments like Geba sediments are observed
around Degga town. The sediments are comprised of sandstone, mudstone, shale and
tuffaceous sediments with minor interbeds of oil shale coal seams, which attain a thickness of
about 40 m (Fig. 11).
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Figure 11. Lithostratigraphic of Tertiary sediments.

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3.4.2.2. Limu sediments
This map unit is exposed in the southern part of the area within Tinishu Gibe River and its
tributaries (Degdege and Indris rivers). It separates the Gibe group volcanics from the
overlying Limu Genet group volcanics, which might indicate a time gap in volcanism.
The Limu sediments are attaining a maximum thickness of 80 m and divided into lower and
upper formations. The lower formation is having a maximum thickness of 10 m and
comprised of grey, greenish grey to pinkish grey and often greyish to yellowish white quartz-
rich sandstone. The sandstone is medium-to coarse-grained, slightly friable, cross-bedded,
and relatively both texturally and compositionally matured. Towards the top part of the
succession the sandstone is interlayered with light grey to greyish yellow mudstone. The
upper formation is attaining a maximum thickness of 50 m and comprised of sandstone,
siltstone, mudstone and shale at the bottom, and mudstone, tuffaceous sediments and coals at
the top part. The sandstone which makes up the largest part of the succession is light to
greyish white and often reddish brown up on weathering. It is moderately sorted, medium-to
coarse-grained and tends to be conglomeratic at the base. The siltstone and mudstone are
thinly bedded to thickly laminated and represented by variegated colour of brown, grey, and
reddish brown.
The top most part of the upper formation is dominated by light to whitish grey, yellowish
grey, violet and reddish brown mudstone and tuffaceous sediments with minor intercalations
of chert. The upper part also contains coals seams measured in thickness of 50 centimeters.
3.4.2.3. Boter Becho sediments
This map unit is exposed in the eastern part of the area in the opposite side of the Gibe river
cut and south of Nono village forming gently rolling to steep cliffs and plains. They
unconformably overlie the Gibe group volcanics and attain a maximum thickness of 60 m
south of Nono village near the Gibe River fall; however, the thickness decreases further south
and north, which attains a minimum of thickness of about 20 m to the western boundary of
the sediments. The sediments are deformed by two sets of joints, striking NW-SE and N-S.
The NW-striking joints are spaced from 5 mm to 30 mm. The N-striking joints are spaced
from 70 mm to 100 mm, and are filled by iron-oxide materials.
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The bottom part of the sediments exposed in Nono area is made of about 10 m thick
conglomeratic sandstone, sandstone, and shale which overlie the Gibe volcanics. The
sandstone is composed of quartz and feldspar clasts with subordinate rock fragments
(basaltic), which are lying within clay and iron oxide matrix that makes up of 50% of the
volume of the rock. Following the classification of Pettijohn (1984), the sandstone can be
named as arkosic wacke. Towards the top part of the succession the bottom part of the
sediments are represented by 8 m thick yellowish grey and medium-grained sandstone,
greyish pink shale, and massive sandstone, and 13 m thick intercalation of coarse-grained
sandstone, grey shale, thickly bedded siltstone and mudstone.
The top part of the Boter Becho sediments from bottom to top are represented by the
following rock types:-
 8 m thick intercalation of shale and fine-grained sandstone,
 5 m thick intercalations of mudstone, shale, siltstone, and tuffaceous sediments, and
 5 m thick intercalations of tuffaceous sediments, claystone, and shale with thin layers
of chert and iron stone.
3.4.3. Quaternary covers
3.4.3.1. Undifferentiated soils (Qus)
They cover extensive area in the northern part of the area around Chewaka settlement. It is
represented by red to reddish brown soil, brown to grey sand, silt and gravel. At places
silcrete and ferricrete are developed on reddish brown soil. Terrace deposits represented by
unconsolidated sands and gravels are found along stream and creeks. They are ranging in
thickness from few centimetres up to a meter.
3.4.3.2. Eluvial soils (Qel)
This unit is represented by red to reddish brown soils that are developed from the surrounding
basaltic flows. It attains a thickness of 5 to 20 m. At places lateritic soils (up to 1 m thick)
developed within the basaltic flows of unit TV2.
3.4.3.3. Alluvial soils (Qal)

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This alluvial deposit mainly occupies the vast plain alongside the river plains and marshy
areas, but rarely, covers the base of gentle- slopped hills. Mostly they are silt size, less
compacted and dark brown to black soil. Usually they are thin-coated soil but considerable
amount of thickness (about 9 m) were noted in the Nono plain and Tinishu Gibe River cut.

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4. STRUCTURES
4.1. PRECAMBRIAN STRUCTURES
The Precambrian structures observed in the area are represented by foliation, lineation, folds
and fault/shear zones (Fig. 12). On the basis of the geometric characteristics, principles of
superposition and crosscutting relationships, the structures are divided into three phases of
deformation designated as D1, D2 and D3. Structural notations S1, S2…, F1, F2…, and L1,
L2…, indicates that the structures and fabrics resulting from a particular deformational phases
are numbered the same as the event; for example S1, F1 and L1 formed during D1 and S2, F2
and L2 formed during D2 and so on.
However, the scarcity of measurement of structural features due mainly to the reconnaissance
nature of the work do not allow a detailed structural analysis, therefore, the structural
interpretations presented here should be considered with some caution.
4.1.1. D1-Deformation
The structures developed during D1 deformation are represented by foliation (S1) and fold
(F1).
Foliations (S1)
S1 is a penetrative planar structure found throughout the layered Precambrian rocks (unit
Pgne1, Pgne2, and Pgne3), which is represented by gneissic foliation and usually parallel with
the migmatitic layering (S‟), except in the hinge zone of F1 folds (Fig. 13). Because the
migmatitic layering (S‟) and the gneissic foliation (S1) are parallel except in the hinge zone of
F1 folds, they can be treated as regional composite foliation in stereographic plot (Fig. 14).
The gneissic foliation is defined by the alternation of felsic and mafic layers, which is varying
in inclination from subhorizontal to gentle (Fig. 14).

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Figure 12. Structural map of the area.

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Figure 13. Photograph and line sketch showing the folding and transposition of migmatitic layering in
banded gneiss (Pgne1). Note that foliation (S1) is parallel to the migmatitic layering (S’) except in the
hinge zone of F1 fold, which is parallel to the axial plane. Lens cover (50 mm diameter) is for scale.

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Folds (F1)
The other structure related to D1 deformation is represented by recumbent to gently inclined

tight to nearly isoclinal folds formed by folding of migmatitic layering (S‟). They are having
long limbs and acute and extended narrow hinge zones, but the limbs become thinned and
transposed into the plane of S1 foliation (Fig. 13). Despite a pronounced transposition of the
hinge areas, defined by a penetrative S1 foliation parallel to the axial plane of the F1 fold, the
migmatitic layering (S‟) can still be traced around the closure.
This phase of deformation is characterized by folding of migmatitic layering (S‟) and S1

foliation into open to tight upright F2 folds. F2 folds are N- and NE-trending and plunging at
low to moderate angle either to the NE and SW. These are also consistent with an equal area
-diagram (poles to composite regional S1/S‟ foliation), which defines a great circle girdle
whose -axis plunges 50 towards 010 (Fig. 14). F2 folds become very tight as approaching to
the ductile D3 shear zones and developed as rootless intrafolial folds within the shear zones.
This phase of deformation is characterized by N- and NNE-trending dominantly ductile shear

zones and by brittle to ductile conjugate NW-trending sinistral and ENE- and NE-trending
dextral strike-slip faults (Fig. 12), which are recognized in the field as steep to subvertical
mylonitic foliation. The N- and NNE- trending dominantly dextral strike-slip shear zones are
partitioned into shear domains, which varies from outcrop to map scale and ranging from few
meters up to 100 m wide (Fig. 12). These shear zones are traced to the north outside the study
area in the adjacent Nekemte sheet, which is mapped as Guttin Shear Zone (Solomon and
Mulugeta, 2000). The main fabric within the shear zone is a steep to subvertical shear
foliation and associated dominantly shallow to locally moderately either north or south
plunging stretching lineations (Figs. 15a and b). The distribution of tectonic fabric within the
shear zones is typically heterogeneous, such that significant volumes of undeformed host
rocks are preserved between more highly deformed and mylonitic domains. At places,
mylonite zones ranging from few centimeters up to 50 m wide are developed. Mylonites are
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Figure 14. (a) Lower hemisphere equal area stereonet plot of poles to composite (S1/S’) foliations. (b) π-
diagram of composite (S1/S’) foliation. π-axis plunge 5 towards 010.

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Figure 15. Lower hemisphere equal area stereonet plot of poles to shear foliations (a) and associated
stretching lineations (b).

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characterized by a range of texture from protomylonite to mylonite. Kinematic indicators

such as feldspar porphyroclasts, asymmetric boudins and clasts, broken grains and dragging
of foliation indicating dextral sense of movements. However, at places sinistral sense of
movements have been encountered. At places, the strike-slip shearing is associated with
southeast and northwest verging thrusts and folds.
4.2. PHANEROZOIC STRUCTURES
4.2.1. Faults
The faults in the mapped area are represented by high-angle normal faults, low-angle normal-
slip (detachment?) faults, and strike-slip faults (Fig. 12).
The high-angle normal faults affecting the area are existing in three main sets; (i) North- to
northeast-striking, (ii) Northwest-striking, and (iii) West-northwest-striking (Fig. 12).
The north-to northeast-striking faults are the dominant one and commonly dipping 75° - 85°
either to east and west. They are characterized by increasing in vertical throw (displacement)
from northwest (10-20 m) to southeast (up to 100 m). Some of these faults define the
boundary of the basins which deposited the Tertiary sediments of Limu and Boter Becho
sediments (Fig. 12). At places, the attitude of these faults varying from steep dipping plane to
listric and resulting in the rotation of the bedding in Gibe volcanics. Northwest-striking and,
southwest-dipping, and west-northwest-striking and northeast-dipping normal faults are seen
in the northwestern part of the study area bounding the Tertiary Geba sediments (Fig. 12).
The west-northwest-striking and northeast-dipping normal fault, which bound the southern
side of the Geba sediments, is traceable along strike for about 4 km is characterized by
moderate to high vertical throw (up to 100 m). Northwest-striking and southwest-dipping
normal faults developed at the northern boundary of the Geba sediments, are short and
characterized by low to moderate (10-20 m) vertical throw.
Northwest-striking and northeast- dipping low-angle (15-30) normal slip (detachment?)

faults are seen in the northwestern part of the area along the boundary between the granitoid
gneiss (Pgne2) and the layered gneiss (Pgne1) (see enclosure). The granitoid gneiss (Pgne2),
which occupies the footwall side of the fault, is extremely brecciated and the bercciation has
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obliterated any recognizable gneissic banding or mylonitic fabric. The deformation in the
hanging wall side of the fault occurred in brittle-ductile regime, which is represented by
closely spaced fractures and by rocks formed breccia and cataclasite varying in thickness
from 1 to 30 cm.
NW- to WNW-striking and ENE-striking strike-slip faults are mapped in the area (Fig. 12).
The NW- to WNW-striking faults in the area are significant as they are largely responsible in
controlling the morphology of the river valleys/gorges. For example, the zig- zag shape of the
Gibe river course is considered to be mainly due to the effect of these faults. These faults are
dominantly strike-slip having sinistral sense of displacement; however, some of these faults
are observed having south-dipping normal-slip component as well. The ENE-trending strike-
slip faults appear to be conjugate to the NW-trending faults.
4.2.2. Lineaments
The distribution of lineaments in the area shows four azimuthal peaks. These are; (i) N-
striking, (ii) NNE-to NE-striking, (iii) NW- to WNW-striking, and (iv) ENE-striking (Fig.
16). However, based on variation in density, length and distinct azimuthal peaks, these
lineaments are divided into four domains (Fig. 16). The characteristic of each domain is
discussed below.
Domain-I
This domain is characterized by high density of lineament, and rose diagram displays two
trends. These are; (i) NNW- to NW-striking, and (ii) NNE- to NE-striking. The NW-striking
lineaments are major ones and follow the trend of Dabena and Didesa Rivers.
Domain-II
The distributions of lineaments in this domain show two distinct azimuthal peaks. These are
NNE- to NE (015-045), and NNW-to NW (351-330)-striking (Fig. 16.). These lineaments are
represented by fracture/joints and faults. Field relations suggested that the NW-striking
joints/fractures are the oldest. This conclusion is based on the following observations:
• They are pervasive and penetrative, and commonly filled;
• The other joints tend to abut or to hook against this set; and

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• At places they are seen cut by the E-W striking joints.
Domain-III
The distributions of lineaments in this domain show a distinct N- to NNE-striking and less
developed ENE-striking azimuthal peak. Most of the lineaments are represented by
joints/fractures; however, the longest lineaments are interpreted as faults. Field mapping
shows that the N-to NNE-striking joints are closely (5 mm to 10 mm) to widely (100 mm to
150 mm) spaced, open with aperture of 10 mm to 60 mm wide, and form zones measured in
width up to 200 mm. The ENE- striking joints are abutting against to the N-to NNE- striking
joints, suggesting that the N-to NNE-striking joints are formed earlier than the ENE-striking
joints.
Domain-IV
The Lineaments in this domain are represented by NNE- to NE- and NW-striking systems.
NNE- to NE-striking lineaments are well defined, whereas the NW-striking lineaments are
poorly defined. These lineaments are mainly represented by fracture/joints and field
relationships showed that the NW-striking fractures/joints are long and the NE-striking joints
are short and abut against the NW-striking joints. Therefore, the NE-striking joints are young
based on the criteria that short joints that abut against longer joints are younger.

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Figure 16. Lineament map of the area.

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5. METAMORPHISM
5.1. MINERAL ASSEMBLAGES
Banded gneiss and quartzo-feldspathic gneiss (Pgne1)
1. Banded gneiss: (i) plagioclase + hornblende + biotite + quartz

(ii) plagioclase (andesine) + hornblende ± pyroxene ± garnet ± quartz
(iii) quartz + K-feldspar + plagioclase  biotite
2. Garnet-biotite gneiss: biotite + quartz + plagioclase + garnet
3. Amphibolite: plagioclase (andesine) + hornblende ± pyroxene ± biotite
4. Calc-silicate gneiss: (i) plagioclase + quartz + diopside+ tremolite ± epidote
5. Sillimanite-quartz gneiss: quartz + sillimanite + muscovite  kyanite
Granitoid orthogneiss (Pgne2)
1. Granitic gneiss: quartz + K-feldspar + biotite + opaques

2. Tonalitic/granodioritic gneiss: quartz + plagioclase + biotite + sphene + opaques 
hornblende
Hypersthene-quartz-feldspar (charnokitic) gneiss (Pgne3)
quartz + K-feldspar + hypersthene + opaques
4. Metavolcanics: (i) plagioclase + epidote + chlorite + calcite + opaque ± quartz

(ii) chlorite + epidote + calcite ± tremolite-actinolite ± quartz ± white
micas
(iii) amphibole (actinolitic hornblende) + chlorite + plagioclase ±
quartz
5. Metasediments: quartz + feldspar + biotite ± muscovite ± calcite ± garnet
5.2. METAMORPHIC EVOLUTION
Detailed description of the metamorphic evolution of the area is beyond the scope of this
work as it needs detailed microprobe investigations to know the compositions of the mineral
phases. However, attempt has been made to assign the above mineral assemblages to a
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particular metamorphic facies. The metamorphic facies are after Barker (1990) and Winkler
(1979).
The mineral assemblages described in banded gneiss and quartzo-feldspathic gneiss (Pgne1)
is characteristics of amphibolite facies metamorphism. The coexistence of tremolite and
diopside in calc-silicate gneiss (assemblage 4) is characteristic of temperatures of the order of
500 -6500c (Barker, 1990). The mineral assemblage muscovite-sillimanite-quartz  Kyanite
(assemblage 5) is characteristics of mid-amphibolite facies conditions, with pressure of the
order of 6-8 kbr and temperature of the order of 600-670 0c (Barker, 1990).
The granitoid orthogneiss (Pgne2), though lack index minerals, the assemblages described
above together with the presence of migmatitic phases suggests mid- to upper amphibolite
facies metamorphism with the temperature in the order of 640-720 0c and pressure in the
order of 3.2-5.2 kb (Winkler, 1979). The hypersthene-granulite (charnokitic) gneiss
(assemblage 3) indicates local high P-T conditions giving rise to granulite facies
metamorphism. The assemblages 4 and 5 described in metavolcanics and metasediments
showed metamorphism from low-greenschist to mid- to upper- greenschist facies with
pressure of the order of 3-5 kbr and temperature of the order of 350-4000c (Winkler, 1979).

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6. MINERAL RESOURCES
Coal and oils hales are the most important mineral resources in the area. Few samples of coal
from the Geba sediments (Aweke and Assaye, 2004), and Limu sediments (Alemu
Gebreamlak et al., 2004), were chemically analysed to measure the relative abundance of
volatile matter, non-volatile components (fixed carbon), water content (moisture) and other
inorganic mineral constituent left after combustion (ash).
The coal samples from the Geba sediments are taken from the upper shale unit and from the
interbedded coal and black shale units. The result of the analysis (cf. Aweke and Assaye,
2004), showed that the moisture content of the coal falls between 1.8 % and 3 %. The lower
range (1.8 %) is measured from the Achibo section (coal and black shale member) while the
maximum content (3 %) is recorded from the same member of the Sololo section. Moisture
content shows increment towards east and a decrease towards lower stratigraphic position.
The coals treated are generally high volatile coals and depicts narrow ranges. The analysis
indicated ranges of 47.5-49.9% on dry mineral matter free basis. The fixed carbon of the
treated coals ranges from 50.7-52.5 % (on dry mineral matter free basis). It shows a slight
increment toward east on analogues member beds from other areas. Generally these coals
have low ash content and ranges from 9 % and 20.8 %. It shows a drastic fall toward east
from 20.8 % to 9 % and slight fall down the stratigraphy. The total sulfur of the coals
analysed is generally low. All samples reveal a value <0. 5% and the ranges fall to between
0.3 - 0.4 %. The sulfur amount shows a slight increment up the sections and toward east. Up
on burning, the few coals of the map area give rise to a heat value range of 11686-11910
Btu/lb (on moist mineral matter free basis) or 5021-5960cal/gm (on dry basis). The specific
gravity of coal ranges between 1.3 and 1.37g/cm2. By combining one or three of the fixed
carbon, volatile matter and gross calorific value the rank of these treated coals is High
Volatile C Bituminous Coal (hvcb).
The result of the analysis coal samples from Limu sediments (cf. Alemu Gebreamlak et al.,
2004), showed that the moisture content of the coal falls between 2.4 % and 3.3 %, the
volatile matters range from 21.3-40.4% (on dry mineral matter free basis). The fixed carbon
of the treated coals ranges from 16.5-42.8 % (on dry mineral matter free basis). The ash
content ranges from 14 % to 58.9 % and the total sulfur of the coals analysed is generally low

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and the samples analysed reveal a value <0. 5% and the ranges fall between 0.2 and 0.3 %.
The specific gravity of coal ranges between 1.96 and 2.05g/cm2. By combining one or three
of the fixed carbon, volatile matter and gross calorific value (1835 to 5286 cal/gm), the rank
for coal samples analysed from Limu sediments are of sub-bituminous A and C.
Even though, it‟s economic viability need further investigations, calorific value of higher than
5000-cal/gm, low ash and sulfur content may suggest that the coal is suitable for local energy
generation and as a main input for fertilizer factories.
The other important mineral resources next to coals are granitoid intrusives, basalts, trachytes
and ignimbrites which can be used as dimension stones and construction materials.

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7. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS
7.1. STRUCTURAL EVOLUTION
Despite the limitation of the available data, the relationships between foliations, folds, shear
zones and strike-slip faults allowed for the establishment of three phases of deformation (D1,
D2, and D3) in the Precambrian rocks of the area.
The first (D1) and the second (D2) phases of deformation appear to be coaxial, which resulted
in the development of NE-SW trending regional foliation (S1) and tight to isoclinal folds (F1)
during D1 and folding of S1/S‟ into N- and NNE- trending tight to isoclinal upright folds (F2)
during D2. The age of D1 and D2 deformation may be placed sometimes between 700 and 730
Ma, as implied from intrusion age of syn-tectonic granitoids in the Precambrian basement of
western Ethiopia (cf. Suqqiwagga and Guttin granitoid, Kebede et al., 2001).
The third phase of deformation (D3) is related to ductile mainly strike-slip shear deformation
that is resulted in the development of major north and northeast trending dextral strike-slip
shear zone and conjugate northwest trending sinistral and east-northeast and northeast
trending dextral strike-slip faults. The steepening and transposition of F2 folds along D3 shear
zones, presence of southeast and northwest verging thrusts and folds, and oblique-slip
lineations reflect that the D3 shear zones have a component of flattening strain (pure shear)
associated with strike-slip shearing, suggesting that the D3 shear zones are related to dextral
transpressional shear zone (Fig. 17).
The NW-trending sinistral and ENE- and NE-trending dextral conjugate strike-slip faults may
develop at the later stage of D3 deformation to accommodate shortening (Fig. 17). Similar D3
shear zones are observed in the Precambrian basement of western Ethiopia, which referred to
as Guttin Shear Zone (Solomon and Mulugeta, 2000), Tulu Dimtu Shear Zone (Alemu and
Abebe, 2000, 2007), and Birbir Shear Zone (Ayalew and Moore, 1989). The age of D3
deformation in the area may be placed sometimes between 630 and 635 Ma as implied by U-
Pb tectonothermal ages of 630 Ma obtained from Guttin granitoid (Kebede et al., 2001), and
Rb-Sr reset ages of 635 Ma obtained from syn-tectonic granitoids in Gore-Gambela area
(Ayalew et al., 1990).

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As shown schematically in Fig 17, the structural patterns developed during D1, D2 and D3
deformation are interpreted as due to NW-SE to WNW-ESE directed compression, which
appear to be related to a continuous progressive deformation that reflects temporal and spatial
partitioning between coaxial (flattening) and non-coaxial (strike-slip shearing) deformation,
which are typical of deformational belt formed in obliquely convergent orogen. Regionally,
these structures may be correlatable with arc-accretion phase in the Arabian-Nubian Shield
(ANS) that took place between 750 and 650 Ma (Vail, 1985; Quick. 1991; Abdelsalam and
Stern, 1996).
The high-angle normal faults, strike-slip faults and lineaments represented by fractures/joints
of variable size developed during Phanerozoic may be related in time and space to
extensional deformation formed during Tertiary period. However, the possibility of some of
these structures could be a reactivation of Precambrian structures cannot be ruled out.
The present data is not adequate to suggest that the low-angle normal slip (detachment?)
faults either formed during the final phase of deformation of the Precambrian rocks as result
of extensional deformation following the compressional deformation or due to reactivation of
the Precambrian structures during Tertiary.

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Figure 17. a) Schematic block diagram showing the relationships between D 1, D2 and D3 developed as due
to oblique collision in response to a NW-SE compression. b) Strain ellipsoid showing the development of
D3 shear zone as pure flattening and conjugate strike-slip faults in dextral transpressional system.

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7.2. LITHO-STRATIGRAPHY EVOLUTION
7.2.1. Precambrian rocks
The field lithologic, structure and metamorphic descriptions in the preceding chapters have
shown the division of the Precambrian rocks of the area into high-grade gneiss and
migmatites (Pgne1, Pgne2 and Pgne3), diorite (Pdt), granitoid (Pgt1) and late- to post-tectonic
granites (Pgt2).
As there is no geochemical and geochronological data that substantiate the field, lithologic,
structure and metamorphic data the relationships between the quartzo-feldspathic gneiss and
banded gneiss (Pgne1) and granitoid orthogneiss (Pgne2) is not clear. The major difference
between them lies in the varied composition of the protolith, in which unit Pgne1 is derived
dominantly from sedimentary (paragneiss) and unit Pgne2 from igneous (orthogneiss)
protoliths. These rocks are having bulk lithologic similarities to high-grade gneiss and
migmatites mapped in the Precambrian basement of western Ethiopia (cf. Table 1).
The deformed granitoids (Pgt1) may be correlatable with syn-tectonic granitoids mapped in
the Precambrian basement of western Ethiopia. These granitoids have been dated between
700 and 730 Ma by Pb-Pb single-grain zircon evaporation method (cf. Suqqiwagga and
Guttin granitoid; Kebede et al., 2001). The late- to post-tectonic granite (Pgt2) may be
correlatable with other post-tectonic granites in western Ethiopia, which have been dated
between 540 and 570 Ma. (Ayalew et al., 1990). Geochemical investigations from some of
these granites show the characteristics of A-type granites, similar to plutonic rocks generated
in post-orogenic environment (cf. Ganjji and Tuppi granitoid; Kebede and Koeberl, 2003).
The Ganjji granite has been dated by Pb-Pb zircon method at 622  7 Ma (Kebede et al.,
2001).
7.2.2. Paleozoic-Mesozoic sedimentary rocks
The Paleozoic-Mesozoic sedimentary rocks in the area are represented by continental clastic
deposits of Getema and Wama sediments. The presence of glacial beds within the Getema
sediments may suggest the correlation of the Getema sediments with Edaga Arbi sediments
deposited in northern Ethiopia. The Wama sediments which comprised of dominantly red and

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pinkish red sandstone with minor greyish yellow and white sandstone can be correlatable
with the Adigrat sandstone in bulk lithologic similarities.
7.2.3. Tertiary volcanic rocks and associated sediments
The lithologic descriptions in the preceding chapters have shown the division of the Tertiary
volcanic rocks of the area into:-
1. Gibe Group,
2. Limu Genet Group,
3. Arjo Group,
4. Jibat group, and
5. Trachyte flows and plugs
The Gibe group volcanics represent the oldest volcanic rocks in the area. The Gibe volcanics
may be correlatable with the Geba basalts of Berhe et al. (1987), Omo basalts of Merla et al.
(1979), and Akobo basalts of Davidson (1983). Akobo basalt is dated at 49.4-30.5 Ma. By
Davidson (1983), and Omo basalt dated at 40 to 25 Ma by Merla et al. (1979).
The occurrences of Tertiary sediments overlie the Gibe volcanics suggest a long hiatus in
volcanism between the Gibe volcanics and the overlying volcanics. Among the exposure of
the Tertiary sediments in the area, the Geba sediments are studied in detail due to the
abundant occurrences of coal seams. Kibre (2000), described in detail the sedimentology and
geochemistry of coal deposit in Geba sediments. He suggested a Middle Oligocene and Early
Miocene age, and fluviatiles to lacustrine environment for the deposition of the Geba
sediments.
The Limu Genet volcanics are represented by varying proportions of silicic (trachyte,
rhyolite, pyroclastics) and mafic (basalt) volcanics. They may be correlatable with Jimma
volcanics, which are dated at 37 to 10 Ma (Merla et al., 1979).
The Arjo group volcanics are correlatable with Lower and Upper basalt of Berhe et al.
(1987), Wellega basalt of Abbate and Sagri (1980), and Surma basalt of Davidson (1983),
which has been dated at 19.4-9.1 Ma.

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The Upper basalt of the Jibat volcanics may be correlatable with the Chilalo Formation
(Tefera et al., 1996). Abebe et al. (1998) dated part of the Jibat volcanics by K-Ar method
and reported an age of 7 Ma.
The trachyte flows and plugs in the area can be correlated with Tulu Wollel and Sayi
volcanics, which are dated at 7.8-7.9 Ma by Berhe et al., 1987.

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8. GEOLOGIC HISTORY
Based on the present field, lithologic and structural data and correlations with other studies in
the region, the geologic history of the area is summarized as follows:-
1. The layered Precambrian rocks (Pgne1, Pgne2, and Pgne3) in the area may be
correlatable with the high-grade gneiss and migmatites mapped in the Precambrian
basement of western Ethiopia, which has long been referred to as Alghe gneiss and
considered to be the northern continuation of the Pan-African Mozambique Belt.
2. The layered Precambrian rocks were deformed and metamorphosed during D1 and D2
deformation. The characteristic metamorphism is amphibolite facies to locally
granulite facies.
3. The deformed granitoid (Pgt1) is emplaced during or after D1 and D2 deformation.
These granitoid may be correlatable with other Syn-tectonic granitoids in the
Precambrian basement of western Ethiopia, which have been dated between 730 and
700 Ma (Kebede et al., 2001). This age may approximate the age of D1 and D2
deformation.
4. D3 deformation represents extensive shortening that culminated in the formation of
the N-trending dextral strike-slip shear zones and conjugate sinistral and dextral
strike-slip faults. The age of D3 deformation may be placed sometimes between 630
and 635 Ma as implied U-Pb tectonothermal (Kebede et al., 2001) and Rb-Sr reset
(Ayalew et al., 1990) ages obtained from syn-tectonic granitoids in the Precambrian
basement of western Ethiopia.
5. The Precmbrian geologic history in the area ceased by emplacement of late- to post-
tectonic granites (Pgt2). These granites in the Precambrian basement of western
Ethiopia have been dated at 620 Ma (Kebede et al., 2001), and between 540 and 570
Ma (Ayalew et al., 1990).
6. The Precambrian rocks were subjected to uplift and extension, which resulted in the
deposition of Paleozoic-Mesozoic sediments.
7. The area was subjected to uplift and extension, which resulted in the eruption of
Tertiary volcanics and deposition of the associated sediments.
8. The Tertiary volcanism in the area is started by the eruption of the Gibe volcanics at
about 49.4-30.5 Ma.

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9. After long period of hiatus in volcanism followed by deposition of sediments the

second cycle of volcanism in the area started by eruption of the Limu Genet volcanics
at about 37 -10 Ma.
10. Third cycle of volcanism is started in the area by the eruption of the Arjo volcanics at
about 19.4-9.1 Ma and Jibat volcanics at about 7 Ma.
11. Volcanism in the area has been ceased by the eruption of trachyte flows and plugs.
12. The region was uplifted and the original topography has been modified by erosion,
which resulted in the deposition of Quaternary covers (Qel and Qus).

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This compilation is based on the work carried out by members of the Regional Geology and
Geochemistry Department (now then called Basic Geoscience Mapping Directorate) of the
GSE during the course of mapping the Arjo Sheet, to whom the author is grateful. The author
is deeply indebted to local administrators, which their keen interest and unflagging support
greatly assisted and enlivened the progress of the fieldwork. Special thanks are extended to
local peoples for their good hospitality and for guiding to reach to critical exposures.

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Geology of the Arjo Area Memoir 23 Geological Survey of Ethiopia Basic

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GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF ETHIOPIA

GEOLOGY OF THE ARJO AREA

Geological Survey of Ethiopia Basic Geoscience Mapping Directorate i

7. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS ........................................................................ 71

Geological Survey of Ethiopia Basic Geoscience Mapping Directorate iii

Geological Survey of Ethiopia Basic Geoscience Mapping Directorate iv

Table 2. Litho-stratigraphy of the Cenozoic volcanic rocks of western and southwestern

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The geology of the Arjo area is comprised of Precambrian rocks, Paleozoic-Mesozoic

The Paleozoic-Mesozoic rocks are comprised of continental clastic sediments represented

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1.1. OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE OF THE WORK

 Compile and update the subsheets (1:50,000) geologic maps prepared by

1.2. LOCATION AND ACCESS

 Kumbabe-Dega-Meko, Bedele-Kone-Chewaka (Ilu Harar), Bedele-Arjo-Getema-

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Figure 1. Location map of the Arjo Area (NC 37-3).

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Figure 2. Accessibility map of the Arjo area.

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1.3. PHYSOGRAPHY AND DRAINAGE

Based on the combined differences of altitude, climatic, vegetation and geological

1. Valleys and Gorges

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and in topographic depressions, where aggradations or depositions of fluvial and slope

2. Gently rolling to steep cliffs, ridges and plains

3. Dissected ridges, hills and mountains

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4. Flat-top ridges and mountains

This physiographic region is characterized by flat-topped gently undulatory plateaus

Figure 3. Physiographic and Drainage map of the area.

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1. Geba River drainage basin,

Geba River drainage basin

Didesa River drainage basin

Gibe River drainage basin

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1.4. CLIMATE AND VEGETATION

1.6. REVIEW OF PREVIOUS WORKS

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The methodology adopted in this compilation is comprised of:-

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Table 1. Litho-stratigraphy of the Precambrian of western Ethiopia

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The low-grade metavolcano-sedimentary and associated intrusive rocks exposed

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The Cenozoic volcanics overlie unconformably either on Precambrian rocks or

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Pleistocene- Tepi Basalts Mursi and Bofa Basalts

Teltele and Surma Basalts Teltele and Surma Basalts

Jimma Volcanics The rest of the sequence (40.4 Jimma Volcanics