Impact of structural geology on groundwater in the Awash Basin in the East African Rift

Multidisciplinary approach using isotope hydrology, remote sensing and hydrochemistry (E-RIFT)

Located in the tectonically active East African Rift System, the Awash Basin in Ethiopia has a complex hydrogeological setting. Until now, the groundwater dynamics and the impact of the structural setting on groundwater flow in this region are not well understood, though the local population heavily depends on groundwater as a major water supply. Not only the use of groundwater, but also its impact on surface water is of importance in the Basin, as groundwater inflow related to recent tectonic activities appears to play a significant role in the rapid rise of the level of Lake Beseka (0.12 m/year). This in turn causes a frequent rebuilding of infrastructure in the affected area. With a combination of isotope hydrology, hydrogeochemistry and remote sensing the present study investigates the flow regime development and dynamics of groundwater including the vertical stratifications of the aquifers and groundwater flow affected by the tectonic setting.