Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Geological Resources and Socio-Economic Issues

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Geology of Afar (East Africa)

Part of the book series: Regional Geology Reviews ((RGR))

  • 1201 Accesses

Abstract

Afar being a dry region heavily affected by climate change, water and energy is a major issue for its population. Hopefully, favourable geothermal conditions developped because of its geological context. The border faults along the rift promotes the flow of meteoric water from the high plateaus into the faulted rift floor, where crustal thinning and upwelling of the hot mantle lead to exceptionally high heat flow. Furthermore, active fauulting along the rift axis favour the creation of convective hydrothermal systems. Moreover, when magma chambers develop at shallow depth (2–5 km) conditioned by central volcanic units, large high-enthalpy geothermal systems naturally arise. All conditions are combined in these structures to favour the development of fractured reservoir and impermeable cover. Basic ingredients for “classic” high-enthalpy geothermal systems are thus available in numerous places. This chapter describes some of the most relevant geothermal sites that are open for development, particularly when the needs of the local population will be considered as a priority target for the investors.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 149.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    see: http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v531/n7596/ http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v235/n5334/abs/235144a0.html.

  2. 2.

    OPEC Fund for International Development.

  3. 3.

    United Nation Development and Environment Programs; Global Environmental Fund.

  4. 4.

    Organic Rankin Cycle or “binary” plants.

  5. 5.

    AGAPI, Afar Geothermal Development Company, a community based initiative, was created in 2015.

  6. 6.

    The Afar name is “Boina” meaning fumarole, erroneously given to Dabbahu.

  7. 7.

    Electromagnetics

  8. 8.

    Magnetotellutics-Transient Electromagnetics

  9. 9.

    http://www.agenceecofin.com/or/1403-18364-djibouti-pour-stratex-le-gisement-d-or-de-pandora-est-son-objectif-le-plus-attractif-sur-le-rift.

References

  • Abdallah A, Gérard A, Varet J (1981) Construction d’un modèle synthétique du champ géothermique d’Asal. Rapport BRGM/82-SDN-951-GTH, 25 pp, 10 maps

    Google Scholar 

  • AQUATER (1989). Geothermal exploration project. Republic of Djibouti. Final Report. ISERST 159p

    Google Scholar 

  • Arnarson K, Flovenz OG (1995) Geothermal exploration by tem-soundings in the central Asal rift in Djibouti. World geothermal Congress, East Africa

    Google Scholar 

  • Ballestracci R, Benderitter Y (1980) Sondage magnétotellurique dans le rift d’Asal (République de Djibouti). C.R. Acad. Sc. Paris 290:77–80

    Google Scholar 

  • Barberi F, Varet J (1970) The Erta Ale volcanic range. Bull Volc 34:848–917

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barberi F, Varet J (1975) Recent volcanic units of Afar and their structural significance. In: Pilger A, Rosler A (eds.), Afar depression of Ethiopia, proceedings of an international symposium on the Afar region and rift related problems, Bad Bergzabren, Germany, 1974, vol. 1, E. Schweizerbart’sche Verlagsbuchhandlung, Stuttgart, Germany, pp. 174–178

    Google Scholar 

  • Barberi F, Varet J (1977) Volcanism in Afar: small-scale plate tectonic implications. Bull Geol Soc Amer 88:1251–1266

    Google Scholar 

  • Barthes V, Gérard A, Varet J (1980) République de Djibouti, Champ géothermique d’Asal, synthèse des données disponibles au 1er juin 1980. Rapport BRGM/80-SGN-525-GTH42 p. 13 photos, 14 cartes

    Google Scholar 

  • Battistelli A, Rivera J, Ferragina C (1991) Reservoir engineering studies at the Asal field: Republic of Djibouti. Geoth Resour Counc Bull 280–289

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonatti E, Fisher DE, Joensuu O, Rydell HS, Beyth M (1972) Iron-manganese-barium deposit from the Northern Afar rift (Ethiopia). Econ Geol 67:717–730

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bosch B, Deschamps J, Lopoukhine M, Marce A, et Vilbert C (1974) La zone géothermique du lac Asal (TFAI). Résultats de terrain et études expérimentales. Bull. BRGM II4:367–383

    Google Scholar 

  • BRGM (1970) Reconnaissance géothermique du TFAI. Rapport BRGM/70-SGN-GTM. 59p

    Google Scholar 

  • BRGM (1973) Etude géothermique de la région du lac Asal, campagne 1972-1973. Rapport BRGM/73-SGN-144-GTH, 22p

    Google Scholar 

  • BRGM (1975) Territoire Français des Afars et des Issas: rapport de fin de sondage, interprétation des données géologiques de Asal 1 et Asal 2. Rapport BRGM/75-SGN-443-GTH. 19p

    Google Scholar 

  • Dauteuil O, Huchon P, Quemeneur F, Souriot T (2001) Propagation of an oblique spreading center; the western Gulf of Aden. Tectonophysics 332:423–442

    Google Scholar 

  • Doubre C, Manighetti I, Dorbath C, Dorbath L, Jacques E, Delmond J-C (2007a) Crustal structure and magmato-tectonic processes in an active rift (Asal-Ghoubbet, Afar, East Africa): 1. Insights from a 5-month seismological experiment. J Geophys Res 112

    Google Scholar 

  • Doubre C, Manighetti I, Dorbath L, Dorbath C, Bertil D, Delmond J-C (2007b) Crustal structure and magmato-tectonic processes in an active rift (Asal-Ghoubbet, Afar, East Africa): 2. Insights from a the 23 year recording of seismicity since the last rifting event. J Geophys Res 112

    Google Scholar 

  • Fouillac C, Fabriol R, et Lundt F (1983) Champ géothermique d’Asal. Synthèse des données disponibles au 1er janvier 1983. Rapport BRGM/83-SGN-022-GTH, 71 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Haga AO, Cheik HS, Varet J (2012) The Obock and Rouéli geothermal sites, Djibouti Republic. Proceedings of the 4th African Rift Geothermal Conference. Nairobi, Kenya, 21-23 November 2012, 9p

    Google Scholar 

  • Hirn A (1988) Etude sismique sur Asal. In: Champ géothermique d’Asal. Djibouti. Synthèse des données, 93CFG06, pp 56–60

    Google Scholar 

  • Houmed AM, Haga AO, Abdilahi S, Varet J (2012) The Asal geothermal site, Djibouti Republic (model update, 2012). Proceedings of the 4th African Rift Geothermal Conference. Nairobi, Kenya, 21–23 November 2012, 9p

    Google Scholar 

  • Jalludin M (2003) An overview of the geothermal prospections in the Republic of Djibouti. Results and perspectives. Kengen geothermal conference, Nairobi.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kalberkamp U (2010) Magnetotelluric measurements to explore for deeper structures of the Tendaho geothermal field, Afar, NE Ethiopia, Proceedings of the 23rd Schmucker-Weidelt-Colloquium for Electromagnetic Depth Research

    Google Scholar 

  • Manighetti I, Tapponnier P, Courtillot V, Gruszow S, Gillot P-Y (1997) Propagation of rifting along the Arabia-Somalia plate boundary: the gulfs of Aden and Tadjoura. J Geophys Res 102:2681–2710

    Google Scholar 

  • Moussa et al. (2012) First evidence of epithermal gold occurrence in the SE Afar Rift, Republic of Djibouti. Mineral Deposita 47:563–576

    Google Scholar 

  • Omenda P, Achieng J, Onyango S, Varet J (2014) The “Geothermal Village” concept: a new approach to geothermal development in rural Africa. Proceedings 5th African Rift Geothermal Conference, Arusha, Tanzania, 29–31

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruegg J-C, Lépine JC, Tarantola A (1979). Geodetic measurements of rifting associated with a seismo-volcanic crisis in Afar. Geophys. Res. Lett. 6:817– 820

    Google Scholar 

  • Tazieff H, Barberi F, Borsi S, Ferrara G, Marinelli G, Varet J (1970) Relationships between tectonics and magmatology in the Northern Afar (or Danakil) depression. Phil Trans Royal Soc London A 267:293–311

    Google Scholar 

  • UNDP (1973) Geology, geochemistry, and hydrology of the East Africa Rift System within Ethiopia. DDSF/ON/116. U.N. New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Varet J (2004) De l’Afar à la géothermie. In: Glénat (ed) Haroun Tazieff, une vie de feu, pp 85–94

    Google Scholar 

  • Varet J (2006) The Afar triangle: a future “gulf region” for world geothermal energy? In: ARGeo-C1—first east african rift geothermal conference—geothermal energy: an indigenous environmentally benign & renewable energy resource - Addis Abeba - Ethiopia, 24/11-02/12/2006

    Google Scholar 

  • Varet J (2010) Haroun Tazieff (1914-1998). Des années Afar au Secrétariat d’État (1967-1986): la difficile mutation institutionnelle. Bull COFRHIGEO, mars 2010, 26p

    Google Scholar 

  • Varet J (2014) Asal-Fialé geothermal field (Djibouti republic): a new interpretation for a geothermal reservoir in an actively spreading rift segment. Proceedings 5th African Rift geothermal Conference, Arusha, Tanzania, 29–31 October 2014

    Google Scholar 

  • Varet J, Chernet, T, Woldetinsae G, Arnason K (2012) Exploring for Geothermal Sites in Northern and Central Afar (Ethiopia). Proceedings of the 4th African Rift Geothermal Conference. Nairobi, Kenya, 21–23 November 2012, 7p

    Google Scholar 

  • Vergne J, Doubre C, Mohamed K, Dujardin A, Leroy S (2012) The lithospheric structure beneath mature continental rifts : New Insights from a dense seismic profile across the Asal-Ghoubbet Rift (Djibouti) Afar Rift Meeting, Addis-Ababa

    Google Scholar 

  • Yohannes E (2015) Geothermal exloration in Eritea Country update. Proceedings World Geothermal Congress Melbourne, Australia, 19–25 April 2015

    Google Scholar 

  • Zan L, Gianelli G, Passerini P, Troisi C, Haga AO (1990) Geothermal exploration in the Republic of Djibouti: thermal and geological data of the Hanle and Asal areas. Geothermics 19:58–561

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Géo2d, Orléans, France

    Jacques Varet

Authors
  1. Jacques Varet
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jacques Varet .

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Varet, J. (2018). Geological Resources and Socio-Economic Issues. In: Geology of Afar (East Africa). Regional Geology Reviews. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-60865-5_12

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation