The interplay of rifting, magmatism and formation of geothermal
resources in the Ethiopian Rift constrained by 3-D magnetotelluric
imaging
Abstract
The Main Ethiopian Rift (MER) is accompanied by extensive volcanism and
the formation of geothermal systems, both having an imminent impact on
lives of millions of local inhabitants. Although previous studies from
the region found evidence that asthenospheric upwelling and associated
decompression melting provide melt to magmatic mush systems that feed
the tectono-volcanic segments in the rift valley, no geophysical model
imaged these regional and local scale transcrustal structures within a
single comprehensive 3-D model. To fill this gap, we combined regional
and local magnetotelluric data sets to obtain the first multi-scale 3-D
electrical conductivity model of the central MER. The model clearly
images a magma ponding zone with up to 7 vol.% melt at the base of the
crust in the western part of the rift, its connection to Aluto volcano
via a tectonically controlled transcrustal magmatic mush system and how
the melt, stored at shallow crustal depths, supplies heat for Aluto’s
geothermal system. Our model provides evidence that different
volcano-tectonic lineaments in the rift valley share a common melt
source, which has been debated in the past. The presented multi-scale
model provides new constraints as well as geologic insights into the
melt distribution below the rift and will facilitate future geothermal
developments and volcanic hazard assessments in the MER.