U.S.-Ethiopia Dissertation Improvement Research on Petrologic and Geochemical Investigation of Volcanism in theMain Ethopian Rift-Afar Transition Region

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An Ethiopian national, Tadiwos Chernet, (Ph.D. candidate under the supervision of the PI), will perform field work in Ethiopia to complement initial field studies conducted by the PI and the graduate student during 1990. The goal of the research is to establish the geochronologic, geochemical, and petrologic framework from which important details bearing on the tectonic and magmatic evolution of the transition zone between the Main Ethiopian Rift (MER) and Afar can be elucidated. The elemental and Sr isotope geochemistry will be performed in-house by T. Chernet; the Nd and Pb isotope work will be done by the PI, using the facilities of the Department of Terrestrial Magnetism, Carnegie Institution of Washington. This type of geochemical and geochronologic study is of great interest to the cooperating institution, the Ethiopian Institute of Geological Surveys, particularly from the standpoints of gaining a clearer understanding of the duration and thermal evolution of major silicic volcanic centers and of gaining valuable age and chemical information to aid in ongoing geologic mapping projects. Thus, the information derived will assist their ongoing efforts to harness the geothermal potential associated with many of northern MER and Afar silicic complexes. It is envisioned that collaboration between the PI and the cooperating institution in Ethiopia will continue well beyond this particular research effort. This project is relevant to the objectives of the Science in Developing Countries (SDC) Program with regard to strengthening scientific and engineering infrastructure in developing countries and increasing cooperation between U.S. scientists and engineers and their counterparts in developing countries.