Geophysical Investigations of Magadi Geothermal Prospect in Kenya

This monograph reports procedures and results of a study to investigate the geothermal potential of a prospect located in Magadi area in the southern Kenya Rift using potential fields.The region is reported in previous studies to be seismically active receiving earthquake swarms. Earthquake swarms in a geothermal environment suggests a lower crustal anomaly body of reduced shear strength. Along the shores of Lake Magadi are thermal manifestations in form of hot springs.This suggests presence of a heat source/s at depth worth investigation. Gravity and Magnetic data were therefore collected in established stations.A total of 58 stations were used for magnetic measurements while the same stations together with other fill-in stations from the Gravity catalog of Kenya were used for gravity measurements. All the necessary reductions were carried out on both data sets and contour maps generated. Anomalies were discerned and profiles generated across them. Euler deconvolution, spectral analysis and 2-D forward modelling analysis techniques were attempted on the profile data. From the spectral analysis, curie point depth along the profiles was estimated.

Autorentext

Dr. Githiri is a geophysicist currently a lecturer in the Physics department of Jomo-Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology in Kenya.He has teaching experience up to postgraduate level and has carried out extensive research by application of gravity and magnetic techniques in geothermal energy prospection particularly in the Kenyan rift