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Stratigraphic framework of the northeastern part of the Ethiopian flood basalt province

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Abstract

We present a first stratigraphy of the flood basalt succession in eastern Wollo province, northern Ethiopian plateau, based on detailed field logging. This study was initiated to resolve outstanding issues in the region regarding the timing and extent of flood volcanism, assisting a wider correlation of stratigraphic sequences across the Ethiopian plateau. Our approach involved construction of stratigraphic sections from six selected gorge localities having ~ 100% exposure. Individual flow thickness, lithology, and sequence were recorded at each locality. Features common to all localities indicate a single magmatic plumbing system for the mapped area. Three formations are identified and named, and linked to published Oligocene radiometric ages from neighboring areas. These formations are from base to top: Teri Basalt, the main phase of flood basalt emission, is conformably overlain by the Wegeltena Rhyolite, composed of silicic ignimbrites dated at ~ 30.2 Ma. Upon this rests a thin bed of conglomerate, sandstone, and mudstone representing a ~ 3 Ma episode of volcanic quiescence. At the top of the sequence lies the Kon Basalt, dated at 27.8–26.7 Ma. Comparison of this new stratigraphy with other Oligocene sequences on the northern plateau reveals significant variations in lithology and age range, with implications for how the Ethiopian flood basalt province was constructed. More work is required in seeking the fissure vents and their geometry.

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Fig. 1
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taken from northeast side

Fig. 4
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taken from east

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Fig. 9

taken from Wegeltena section. Note person for scale, representing 1.8 m in length/height

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Acknowledgements

We thank Paul Mohr and Cindy Ebinger, and other anonymous journal reviewers and Associate Editor Hannah R. Dietterich for their excellent comments that improve the initial manuscript.

Funding

Funding has been provided by Addis Ababa University through the “Thematic Research” scheme.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Earth Sciences, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

    Dereje Ayalew, Worash Getaneh & Balemwal Atnafu

  2. UMR 7358, CRPGCNRSUniversité de Lorraine, 15 rue ND des pauvres, BP 20, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy Cedex, France

    Raphael Pik

  3. Department of Geology, Woldiya University, P.O. Box 400, Woldiya, Ethiopia

    Addise Zemelak

  4. Department of Geology, Wollo University, P.O. Box 1145, Dessie, Ethiopia

    Endayen Belay

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  1. Dereje Ayalew
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Correspondence to Dereje Ayalew.

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Ayalew, D., Getaneh, W., Pik, R. et al. Stratigraphic framework of the northeastern part of the Ethiopian flood basalt province. Bull Volcanol 83, 57 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00445-021-01482-z

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