Stratigraphic Controls on the Morpho-Tectonic Elements of the Gorge of the Nile, Ethiopia
Department
Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering
Major
Geological Engineering
Research Advisor
Abdel Salam, Mohamed G.
Advisor's Department
Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering
Funding Source
NSF; Missouri S&T Geological Sciences & Engineering
Abstract
This work presents new results from remote sensing and field studies aimed at understanding the morpho-tectonic evolution of the Gorge of the Nile (which is carved by the Blue Nile in the Ethiopian Plateau since ~30 Ma ago) and possible stratigraphic controls on its incision history. The Gorge of the Nile is similar to the Grand Canyon of Arizona and it exposes over 700 Ma of geological history. From its headwaters at Lake Tana, the Blue Nile traverses a ~150 km semi-circular, structurally-controlled bend, carves a ~1.6 km-deep gorge, and exposes Miocene- Quaternary- volcanics and a ~1100 m-thick Mesozoic sedimentary section, all underlain by a Neoproterozoic Precambrian crystalline rocks.. Results from examining the Dejen-Gohatsion segment indicate that the development of the Gorge of the Nile width and symmetry are influenced by stratigraphy, especially when the Blue Nile was incising through the Mesozoic sedimentary section.
Biography
Jennifer is a junior in the Geological Engineering undergraduate program at MS&T. She is the Public Relations Director of KMNR 89.7 FM, and is a practicing student pilot. Upon graduation, Jennifer plans to pursue a MS in Planetary Geology and eventually work in lunar mining.
Research Category
Sciences
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Document Type
Poster
Location
Upper Atrium/Hallway
Presentation Date
06 Apr 2011, 9:00 am - 11:45 am
Stratigraphic Controls on the Morpho-Tectonic Elements of the Gorge of the Nile, Ethiopia
Upper Atrium/Hallway
This work presents new results from remote sensing and field studies aimed at understanding the morpho-tectonic evolution of the Gorge of the Nile (which is carved by the Blue Nile in the Ethiopian Plateau since ~30 Ma ago) and possible stratigraphic controls on its incision history. The Gorge of the Nile is similar to the Grand Canyon of Arizona and it exposes over 700 Ma of geological history. From its headwaters at Lake Tana, the Blue Nile traverses a ~150 km semi-circular, structurally-controlled bend, carves a ~1.6 km-deep gorge, and exposes Miocene- Quaternary- volcanics and a ~1100 m-thick Mesozoic sedimentary section, all underlain by a Neoproterozoic Precambrian crystalline rocks.. Results from examining the Dejen-Gohatsion segment indicate that the development of the Gorge of the Nile width and symmetry are influenced by stratigraphy, especially when the Blue Nile was incising through the Mesozoic sedimentary section.
