TITLE:
Structural Controls Analysis and Its Correlation with Geothermal Occurrence at Barrier Volcanic Complex (BVC), Turkana, Kenya
AUTHORS:
Philip Lomorukai Emekwi, Nicholas O. Mariita, Patrick Chege Kariuki
KEYWORDS:
Geothermal Resource, Lineaments, Lineaments Density, Structural Controls
JOURNAL NAME:
International Journal of Geosciences,
Vol.15 No.3,
March
25,
2024
ABSTRACT: Geothermal is a clean energy source that is freely
available in the subsurface. The exploitation of this vital resource needs
intensive exploration in order to identify and quantify its occurrence. The
three parameters considered when assessing the viability of a geothermal system
include; heat source, fractures and fluids. Geological structures are important
in transportation of fluids to and from the heat source aiding in recharge of
the geothermal system and enhancing productivity. Remote sensing method was
applied in mapping the structures at Barrier Volcanic Complex (BVC) by using
hill shading technique which utilized four illumination angles of the sun
(azimuth) i.e. 45°, 90°, 150°, and 315°, constant elevation of 45°
and exaggeration of 10. The data used was Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission
(SRTM) Satellite Imagery. ArcGIS Software was used for lineaments delineation
and density mapping, PCI Geomatica was used to generate major faults, while
Georose and Rockworks 17 were
used to generate the rose diagrams. Geological structural analysis was done by
delineating lineaments, determining the density distribution of lineaments and
finally determining the structural trends of lineaments. The generated major
faults in the area and the location of the occurrence of surface manifestations
were compared with the generated lineaments. A total of 260 lineaments were
generated whereby at 45° there was a total of 60 lineaments, at 90° 95 lineaments, at 150° 61 lineaments, and at 315° 44 lineaments. The results of structural
analysis in the area as shown by the rose diagrams indicate an NNE-SSW and N-S
trending of structures. In conclusion, the study area is highly fractured as
indicated by the presence of numerous lineaments. These lineaments provide good
recharge to the geothermal system and enhance the geothermal reservoir in the
area.