A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
Ground cracks in Ethiopian Rift Valley: facts and uncertainties
AbstractNo accurate relationship has been obtained in this study between ground cracks in Ethiopian Rift Valley and the most common causes of earth fissures such as aquifer-system compaction and increased horizontal seepage stresses. This is due to the fact that the level of groundwater withdrawal responsible for these processes is still negligible in Ethiopia. If aquifer-system compaction and increased horizontal seepage stresses have a certain role, then it should be through the long-term effect of groundwater flow from basins to neighboring lakes. The ground cracks appeared also not to have a direct link with active faulting or distant earthquakes. Structurally, the Ethiopian Rift Valley is dominated by NE–SW-trending tensional faults, but no evidence is obtained in this study to associate the process of surface cracking with major tectonics. However, an aseismic elastic strain, which originates at depth and propagates upward through sediments without the formation of bedrock faults, could result in conditions conducive to the development of cracks. Then, fissures might ultimately be created after heavy rainfalls by near-surface processes such as piping and hydrocompaction along water-line sources.
Ground cracks in Ethiopian Rift Valley: facts and uncertainties
AbstractNo accurate relationship has been obtained in this study between ground cracks in Ethiopian Rift Valley and the most common causes of earth fissures such as aquifer-system compaction and increased horizontal seepage stresses. This is due to the fact that the level of groundwater withdrawal responsible for these processes is still negligible in Ethiopia. If aquifer-system compaction and increased horizontal seepage stresses have a certain role, then it should be through the long-term effect of groundwater flow from basins to neighboring lakes. The ground cracks appeared also not to have a direct link with active faulting or distant earthquakes. Structurally, the Ethiopian Rift Valley is dominated by NE–SW-trending tensional faults, but no evidence is obtained in this study to associate the process of surface cracking with major tectonics. However, an aseismic elastic strain, which originates at depth and propagates upward through sediments without the formation of bedrock faults, could result in conditions conducive to the development of cracks. Then, fissures might ultimately be created after heavy rainfalls by near-surface processes such as piping and hydrocompaction along water-line sources.
Ground cracks in Ethiopian Rift Valley: facts and uncertainties
Ayalew, L. (author) / Yamagishi, H. (author) / Reik, G. (author)
Engineering Geology ; 75 ; 309-324
2004-06-25
16 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
Ground cracks in Ethiopian Rift Valley: facts and uncertainties
| British Library Online Contents | 2004
Ground cracks in Ethiopian Rift Valley: facts and uncertainties
Online Contents | 2004
Morphometric Change Detection of Lake Hawassa in the Ethiopian Rift Valley
| DOAJ | 2018
Groundwater Recharge Estimation in Upper Gelana Watershed, South-Western Main Ethiopian Rift Valley
| DOAJ | 2023
Climate change potentially induces ecological change in the Ethiopian Rift Valley Lakes Basin
| DOAJ | 2023