Geothermal Play Types along the East Africa Rift System: Examples from Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania

Based on geophysical, geological and geochemical investigations carried out in the last decade, we reviewed three major geothermal plays that well represent the different structural, volcanological and hydrogeological realms that can be encountered in the East African Rift System (EARS). Alalobeda (Ethiopia) and Menengai (Kenya) are examples of typical geothermal plays of the Eastern Branch of EARS. The former is a fault-leakage-controlled geothermal play located in a graben structure. The heat source is likely deep-seated, widespread magmatism, associated with the lithosphere thinning that regionally affects this area. The reservoir temperature of the water-dominated system ranges from 185 to 225 degrees C. Menengai can be classified as a convection-dominated magmatic play type. The heat source could be a magmatic intrusion located beneath a caldera. A shallow, liquid-dominated reservoir (with temperatures of 150-190 degrees C) and an intermediate-deep reservoir, hosting steam and liquid (with temperatures of 230-340 degrees C), were detected. The Kilambo-Ilwalilo play (Tanzania) is an example of geothermal play of the Western Branch of EARS. It is in a half-graben realm where a regional fault controls the ascending groundwater flow. Reservoir temperatures are about 110-140 degrees C, and the heat source is provided by lithosphere thinning. The results of this study provide helpful guidelines for future studies on the geothermal resources in the rift.

Automated summary

Based on recent investigations, this study reviewed three major geothermal plays in the East African Rift System (EARS), representing different geological and hydrogeological realms. Alalobeda and Menengai are examples of the Eastern Branch of EARS, while Kilambo-Ilwalilo is an example of the Western Branch. They differ in their structural and volcanic characteristics, as well as their heat sources and reservoir temperatures. The results provide helpful guidelines for future studies on geothermal resources in the rift.