University of Glasgow Kenya & Ethiopia Expedition 2016@GURiftValley

http://glasgowexsoc.org.uk/

Helen Robinsonh.robinson.2@research.gla.ac.uk

Hilary MulhollandNeil Burnside

East African Rift System• Western branch

• Albertine Rift, Lake Malawi Valley

• Eastern branch• Main Ethiopian Rift, Gregory

Rift• Developing southern branch• Afar Triple Junction

• Red Sea Rift, Aden RidgeTectonic Plates• Divergent plate boundary• Nubia plate• Somalia plate• Victoria micro-plate• Spreading rate 6-7mm/yr

Countries6,400km Afar Depression – Mozambique, passing through Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Zambia, Tanzania, Malawi

Where?

Where?

Where?

Butajiri-Silti Volcanic Field, Ethiopia• Elevation 2281masl• Fissure vents, Maars & Pyroclastic cones• Last erupted during the Pleistocene• Aseismic to the Main Ethiopian Rift

(MER)

Menengai Caldera, Kenya• Elevation 2278masl• Summit caldera• Last erupted approx 350yrs ago

• Final caldera collapse ~6050yrs ago• Rift floor shield volcano

Why is This Work So Important?

85% of Ethiopians do not have electricity

84% of Kenyans do not have electricity

Avoid reliance on hydrocarbons

Volcanic risk monitoring of Menengai

Water contamination!

What Are We Going to Do and Why?Ethiopia

Butajiri-Silti Volcanic Field:Geochemistry - Soil gas sampling, CO2 efflux, spring sampling, temperature surveys

Geophysics - GPR, TEM, GNSS

Mapping – contribute to published map corrections and collect structural data for stress analysis

Impact Assessments

What Are We Going To Do and Why?Kenya

Menengai Volcano Summit Caldera:Geochemistry - CO2 efflux, fumarole sampling and steaming ground surveys, Temperature surveys

Sampling of the lake waters:Lake Baringo, Lake Bogoria, Lake Nakuru, Lake Elementeita, Lake Naivasha, Lake Victoria

Benefits?

- Use of geophysical equipment and field sampling techniques

- Fieldwork experience where the work is research based

- Knowledge that you have contributed to changing lives

- Publications and co-authorships

- Cultures and Travel

- Acknowledgement with graduation

Collaboration

- Invitation from Addis Ababa University (AAU)

- RiftVolchttp://www.bgs.ac.uk/research/volcanoes/RiftVolc.html

- BritGeothermal

http://www.britgeothermal.org/ - InVolCan

http://www.involcan.org/

What Should You Expect?

Itinerary

Leaving first week of June!• Flying with Emirates via Dubai

to Addis

Approximately 3 weeks in Ethiopia• Flying Addis to Nairobi

Approximately 3 weeks in Kenya• Returning to the UK via Addis

and Dubai

Costs

Estimated costs per person for this trip is £2000

Personal contributions will be ~£600

Remaining monies will come from fund raising, sponsorship and grants

Preparation

Read up on geothermal energy in East Africa and African geology

Geochemistry training will be completed by myself, most of which needs to be done in the field

Geophysics training will be provided by NERC GEF at Edinburgh University’s King’s Buildings before we leave

Remote first aid training will also be arranged

Weekly meetings for all team members at the start

Extras!

Ethiopia • Blue Nile Gorge• Sof Omar Cave• Sodere Springs

Kenya• Maasai Mara• Thompson Fall’s• The Equator

What’s Next?

Fancy it?

- Apply!- Deadline Friday 16th October at 10am- Submit to the Teaching Office, Room 620, Level, James Watt

South Building

- Interviews will be held week commencing Monday 19th October

- Teams will be announce no later than the first week of November

- First team meeting will be COMPULSORY for all team members!