Mapping Sedimentary Terrain Around Dejen-Gohatsion Area 2018

BULE HORA UNIVERSITY

COLLAGE OF NATURAL AND COMPUTATIONAL SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY

TITLE: MAPPING SEDIMENTRY TERRAIN AROUND DEJEN-GOHATSION AREA

PREPARED BY: THIRD YEAR GROUP TWO GEOLOGY STUDENTS

STUDENTS NAME ID NUMBER

1. Aklilu Tesfaye…………………………………………………………………...........005/15
2. Tolina Negasa…………….…………………………………………………………..037/15
3 Mengistu Firew…….…………………………………………………………………025/15
4. Tapote Mengistu…………………………………………………………….…..….0325/14
5. Burtucan Tefera……………………………………………………………………..0218/14
6. Pach Odol………………………………………………………………………..…....029/15
7. Chala Degefa…………………………………………………………………………012/15
8 .Firomsa Mare………………………………………………………………Tbdu/0802755

ADVISOR: Mr. LEGESE A.

BULE HORA, ETHIOPA

FEBRUARY, 2018

BHU, 2018 Department of Geology Page 0

 Mapping Sedimentary Terrain Around Dejen-Gohatsion Area 2018

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First of all we would like to thanks “highness and unique God” who had helped us and made
possible to start and finish our work in outstanding way. We have to thanks Bule hora university
who helped us by financial requirement and transportation service and we have to thanks for Mr
Mustefa Geology department head who play a crucial role at our pre field activity. And we
would like to thanks Mr kaleb (Bsc) and Mr legesse (BSC) for their guidance and regular
encouragement up to finishing out of study. Those are the teacher who advise and encourage as
out of our field work. And also we would like to thanks those peoples who are living around
Degen area who helped us by giving food and water and by showing direction of our position
and by giving other necessary contribution. Finally, we would like to thanks the Dejen town
administration for gives pension with enough service for us.

BHU, 2018 Department of Geology Page 1

 Mapping Sedimentary Terrain Around Dejen-Gohatsion Area 2018

Abstract

Blue Nile basin is one of the mapped sedimentary terrain among the five basin in Ethiopia. It is
found in north western part of Ethiopia separating oromia regional state to south and Amhara
regional state to north direction. It is located in NW of Addis Ababa with longitude of
04067550E-04180100E and Latitude of 11090070N-11228100N. The field work aim is to mapping
sedimentary terrain as main objective. The field work use different geologic material (like note
book, topo map, geographic positioning system, geological hammer, hand lens, compass, etc…)
to map of study area by using three major methods. Which is; pre field, during field, and post
field method. Studying include both regional geology and local geology. Regional geology
provide an over view of the study area which is done previously by geologist and other scientist
and also by this bach. It provides information about general stratigraphy of area, tectonic
activity, and geological time of rock unit and brief description of rock unit. It describe Abay
basin as upper volcanic rock, lower volcanic rock, debre libanos sand stone, upper lime stone,
lower limestone, gypsum, adigrat sand stone, pre adigrat sand stone, and basement Precambrian
rock. Local geology is studied by researcher during field work. It include identifying
stratigraphic unit, composition of rock unit, its mode of formation, texture, depositional
environment, color, orientation and factor affecting study area. Locally Abay basin is described
as map able (like basalt, limestone, gypsum, and sandstone) and un mappable (gluconite sandy
mudstone and etc.).

BHU, 2018 Department of Geology Page 2

 Mapping Sedimentary Terrain Around Dejen-Gohatsion Area 2018

Table of content
Content page
Acknowledgments…………………………………………………………………………..I

Abstract……………………………………………………………………………………...II

Table of content…………………………………………………………………………III-IV

Chapter one……………………………………………………..………………………..

Introduction………………………………………………………………………………..

1.1 Geologic setting……………………………………………………………………….

1.2 Topography, drainage, relief and vegetation’s……………………………………….
1.3 Previous works………………………………………………………………………...
1.4 Objective of the study area……………………………………………………………
1.4.1 The main objective………………………………………………………………
1.4.2 Specific objective………………………………………………………………...
1.5 Methodology and material used…………………………………………………….

CHAPTER TWO…………………………………………………………………….

2 Regional geology of and tectonics……………………………………………………

2.1 Major rock unit……………………………………………………………………….
2.2 Regional tectonic and structures……………………………………………………..
2.3 General Stratigraphy………………………………………………………………….
2.4 Stratigraphy column of the main rock unit……………………………………………..

CHAPTER THREE…………………………………………………………………….

Local geology of the study area…………………………………………………………

3.1Detailed description of rock unit………………………………………………………

3.2 Geological structures………………………………………………………………..

3.2.1 Primary structures……………………………………………………………

3.2.2 Secondary structures……………………………………………………….

3.3 Geologic Maps and cross-sections………………………………………………..

Page III

BHU, 2018 Department of Geology Page 3

 Mapping Sedimentary Terrain Around Dejen-Gohatsion Area 2018

CHAPTER FOUR…………………………………………………………………….

4 Discussion and Results……………………………………………………………….

4.1 Discussion of Regional and local rock……………………………………………………

4.2 Correlation structures and tectonics……………………………………………………….

CHAPTER FIVE ………………………………………………………………………….

5 Economic importance……………………………………………………………………….

CHAPTER SIX …………………………………………………………………………..

6 Conclusions and recommendations……………………………………………………….

6.1 Conclusions………………………………………………………………………………

6.2 Recommendation…………………………………………………………………………..

References……………………………………………………………………………………

BHU, 2018 Department of Geology Page 4

 Mapping Sedimentary Terrain Around Dejen-Gohatsion Area 2018

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

The study area is located in northwestern Ethiopia between Oromia Region( northern Showa
zone, at Gohastion distinct) and Amhara region( in the west gojjam zone at Dejen distinct). Blue
Nile Basin is one type of basin in Ethiopia like Ogaden basin, Omo basin, Gambella basin and
Mekele basin, they have distributed over different geographical locations with in different
direction. The rock types that could found in the basin ranges from neoproterozoic basement rock
to teritiary volcanic rocks. The basin contains about 1400m of thick section of Mesozoic
sedimentary rocks. These basins are covered by about 500-2000m thick of early to late
Oligocene volcanic rock and locally followed by 300m thick sequence of quaternary volcanic
rock. Sedimentary rocks of the Blue Nile Basin are uncomfortably underlined by Neoproterozoic
basement rocks and uncomformably overlained by early late Oligocene and quaternary volcanic
rock (john wiley and sons (2008)). A number of different geological (lithologic) units of
sedimentary rocks and volcanic rock (basalt) could be exist. Out of those units, there are four
types of different lithologic unit of sedimentary rock and one volcanic rock is existing in study
area.

1.1 Geologic setting

The Blue Nile basin originated an area of neoprotozoic rocks aged about 750 million years (ma)
that had become apeneplain possibly during the Paleozoic era (540 million years- 250 million
years (ma)). The basin was formed due to rifting during the Mesozoic era (250 ma - 66ma).
Between the Triassic and early Jurassic about 300m of fluvial sediments were deposited by river
and stream. During the Jurassic (200ma – 115ma) the basin was twice covered by an arm of the
Indian ocean for extended periods, creating a lower limestone sediment 450m thick. In the late
Jurassic and early cretaceous periods the basin rose and the 280m upper sandstone sediments,
both alluvial or fluvial, were deposited in total about 1.4km of sediment was deposited over the
basement rock in this period. Late the Afar mantle plume caused volcanic eruption in the early
and late Oligocene (34.23ma), depositing volcanic rocks between 500m and 200m thick with
further eruptions in the quaternary depositing another zoom of rock. These layers have been
exposed were the Blue Nile river has cut through the strata creating 1600m Gorge where the rock
of different periods can be studied. However, the architecture of basin is not well known in the
other areas due to the thick upper layer of comparatively recent volcanic rock. The Blue Nile
Basin evolution has been controlled by three phase, which includes

BHU, 2018 Department of Geology Page 5

 Mapping Sedimentary Terrain Around Dejen-Gohatsion Area 2018

(1) Pre-sedimentation phase corresponding to the peneplation of Neoproterozoic basement rock.

(2) Sedimentation phase which involved the deposition of thick Mesozoic strata represented by
repetitive marine transgression and regression during Triassic to Early Cretaceous time, and

(3) Post-sedimentation phase which links to the Afar mantle plume resulted in 500 to 2000m
thick emplacement of extensive Early-Late Oligocene lower volcanic rocks and upper
Quaternary volcanic rock of 300m (Gani-et al., 2008; et,al.,1994).
The Mesozoic successions at the Blue Nile Basin the Five formations have been identified,
which comprises from the bottom to the top the formation are : lower sandstone unit(adigrat
sandstone), shale and Gypsum unit (strata of abay of krenkel 1926, or Gohatsion formation of
getaneh 1980), limestone unit (Antalo limestone), muddy sandstone unit (mugher mudstone of
geteneh 1926) and upper sandstone unit (debre libanos sandstone of getaneh 1991), that resting
unconformably on rocks of either Precambrian age or Paleozoic clastic( pre-adigrat sandstone
and overlain unconformably by Cenozoic volcanic rocks.
The lower sandstone unit generally overlies the basement unconformity, but in some places it
overlies unconformably the Paleozoic continental sediments. This unit outcrops on both sides of
the abay river forming nearly vertical cliffs; it consists mostly of sandstones intercalated with
layers of mudstone, and rare beds of conglomerates.
The shale and gypsum unit consists of interbedded shales and mudstone, and chickenwire and
laminated gypsum.
The limestone unit is made up of fossiliferous limestones interbedded with marls, shales and
mudstones. Oolitic limestone occur at the base and at the top of this unit, and middle with
fossiliferous limestone.
Mughar mudstone and debre libanos sandstone are not present in the measured section, but it is
well exposed at mugher river and the valley of the zega wodem river respectively (mugher
mudstone of geteneh 1926).

1.2 T0pography,Drainage, Relife And Vegetation`s

 Topography

In the study area there are different type of geologic land form which are characterized mainly
cliff, gentle slope and flat surface. The highest and lowest elevation of the study area is 2050m
and 1024 m respectively. The gentle and hill land form is most dominate in white sandstone,red
sand stone lime stone and basalt units and flat surface is mostly in gypsum unit.

BHU, 2018 Department of Geology Page 6

 Mapping Sedimentary Terrain Around Dejen-Gohatsion Area 2018

a)

Gentle s

b) c)

BHU, 2018 Department of Geology Page 7

 Mapping Sedimentary Terrain Around Dejen-Gohatsion Area 2018

Fig 1.3 A) General over view flat surface of gypsum unit B) gentle slope at lower red sandstone
C) Cliff form of red sand stone

Drainage

The drainage patterns of study area start from the contact units to the main Blue Nile in dendrite
form. Most of them are seasonal while at the same area flowing water are exist which is come
from ground water through the weak zones like on adigrat sandstone.

BHU, 2018 Department of Geology Page 8

 Mapping Sedimentary Terrain Around Dejen-Gohatsion Area 2018

Fig1.4 Drainage of study area

 Relief

The relief form of study area is charasterised by different feature like cliff, gentle slope, steep
slope, hill, and flat surface.

 Vegetation

The study area is partially vegetated. In some parts like adigrat sand stone some area is covered
by short trees, acacia, grass and vegetation like teff, sorghum and soybean. Also in limestone at
gentle slope is exist there is more isolated tress . At the area of basalt there is many vegetation
like sorghum, some fruit plant like papaya, banana, orange, mango and others also around
streams.

BHU, 2018 Department of Geology Page 9

 Mapping Sedimentary Terrain Around Dejen-Gohatsion Area 2018

Fig 1.5 a) vegetation at the lower part of red sandstone,

1.3 Previous work

Many geologists stereographically summarized Abay River Basin. According to (Mengasha [Link]
1996) studies on the Paleozoic sedimentary rocks are exposed with in the key study area of gorge
Nile. The only late Paleozoic to Triassic rock are exposed as lower reaches of gorge and the
(Hoffman et al 1997; Coulie etal 2003; kiefferT et al. 2009) are the stereography and structural
evolution of the Blue Nile basin is not fully understood since much of the basin geological record
(Mesozoic and Precambrian is buried beneath the existence of 500-200m thick Cenozoic rocks.
According to kernel (1926), the limestone, gypsum, and shale unit of the Blue Nile was
described.

Ficcarelli (1998) studies marine fossil of the Blue Nile and explain geological map of Ethiopia.
Canute and Radrizzani (1995) study micro facies of the limestone inthe Blue Nile basin and
determined the age of plate flora of the Ethiopian plateau volcanic rock and also the (Asefa 1979,
1980, 1981, 1991) who established the lithostratigrahic of the Blue Nile basin out lined the
sedimentary evolution of the Abay River basin.

BHU, 2018 Department of Geology Page 10

 Mapping Sedimentary Terrain Around Dejen-Gohatsion Area 2018

1.4 Objective of study

1.4.1 Main objective

The main objective of study is mapping sedimentary terrain and to write geological report of
dejen to gohatsion

1.4.2Specific Objective

 To observe, describe and identify different lithological units of sedimentary rock.

 To locate natural resource and know their extent.

 To describe and identify surface physical feature of study area.

 To collect representative samples.

 To prepare location map, geologic map, drainage map and accessibility map of study
area.

 To describe and note the nature of outcrop, degree of weathering, fracturing, jointing and.
Lithological unit of study area.

 To collect data of investigation area.

 To identify and measure orientation of different geological structure on study area.

 To express the economic importance of rock unit.

1.5 Methodology and material used

1.5.1 Methodology

The methodologies conducted for the work include:-

 Pre field
 During field
 Post field

A. Pre field

Before going to the field, collecting the necessary instrument which use in the field from
different area. Example from department includes GPS, topographic map, geologic hammer,
compass, hand leans and from stationary bought note book, color pencil, and eraser. For safety
buying hat, eye glass. and referring informations about the area from the published or
unpublished books and from topomap as a secondary data.

BHU, 2018 Department of Geology Page 11

 Mapping Sedimentary Terrain Around Dejen-Gohatsion Area 2018

B. During field

Traverse selection, at which best exposure are located. Locating the area of exposure on map and
taking the reading of geographic coordinates and altitude by GPS around the contact. Taking
sample by using geologic hammer and describe the rock at out crop with fresh and weathered
color. Describe the rock both at exposure level and at hand specimen based on physical
characteristics like texture, color and also chemical composition. Identification and orientation
Measurement of sedimentary structure like the dip amount, dip direction and strike direction.
measuring thickness of exposure and it’s extent. Taking photo of exposure and structure found on
it

C) Post field

After finishing the field work by using data organized, prepared the report by using field note
book and Microsoft word. The geological map preparation using Arc GIS and preparing map and
cross section by painting in different color. The final report was written and Submitted to the
department and then presentation and defense.

1.5.2 Material Used

There are many different geological instruments or equipment which are very essential and
conclusive for the performance of the field work. But unfortunately many geological materials
which are needed

for our field work could not there. Those materials which we have used in our field work were
includes: Topographic map, geographic positioning system (GPS), Compass, Hand lens, Sample
bag Geological hammer, Eye glass, Masking tape, pen, marker, Note book, Camera and hat.

 Topographic map: the one which is used as a base map to prepare geologic map of the
area and also it is used to locate many different geological units. The scale of this
topographic map is 1:50,000. It is used correspondancely with geographic positioning
system(GPS).
 Geographic positioning system (GPS): An equipment that is used for used for locating
one self and to record the reading in each station (latitude, longitude and elevation) with
in each traverse.
 Compass: is used to measure the orientation of the different geological structure, like
strike, dip, dip angle and fault plane of the bed and fault also used for knowing of the
direction.
 Hand lens: used to identify the grain sizes of rocks that can’t seen by naked eye
 Sample bag: is the material that is used to hold the samples which we have collect from
the field so that it is the sample holder.
 Geological hammer: used to cut rock sample from out croup and to out the fresh color of
the sample.

BHU, 2018 Department of Geology Page 12

 Mapping Sedimentary Terrain Around Dejen-Gohatsion Area 2018

 Eye glass: is the one which is used to protect our eyes from any damage mostly while
hammering to take a sample.
 Masking tape: is used to lable the sample in order to identify the station and the traverse
of each sample.
 Note book: the one on which we write or record all data that we have observed.
 Camera: to take pictures of different rocks out crop and different geological structure.
 Marker and paper tape are used to labeling of the rock.

CHAPTER TWO

2. REGIONAL GEOLOGY AND TECTONICS

 The Paleozoic - Mesozoic Sedimentary succession and tertiary continental flood basalts
are character of central Ethiopian geology.

BHU, 2018 Department of Geology Page 13

 Mapping Sedimentary Terrain Around Dejen-Gohatsion Area 2018

2. 1. MAJOR ROCK UNITS

Paleozoic and Mesozoic sedimentary succession in Blue Nile basin have 2006m thick as
Assefa (1991),( Russo et al 1994) Mohr 1963, Dawit 2009,2010) classification there are 8
litho logic unit of complete succession Blue Nile basin. Pre Adigrat I, Pre Adigrat II, Pre
Adigrat III, Adigrat sandstone, Gohatsion formation, Antalo limestone, Mugger mudstone
and Debrelibanos sandstone from those let see the four units exposed around Dejen –
Gohatsion..
 Basement rock
These rocks form the base of the Blue Nile Basin and crop out with in rugged topography
at an altitude of_900–1500 m along the entire NW-flowing segment of the Blue Nile
(Figures 2–4). The age of the basement rocks is considered to be Neoproterozoic, ranging
from 850 to 550 Ma as documented from U-Pb and Rb-Srgeochronologic studies further
south of the study area by Ayalew et al. (1990). These rocks are made-up of variably
metamorphosed quartzofeldspathicschists and gneisses, migmatites and plutonic rocks.
Neoproterozoicpenetrative NNE-trending sub-vertical ductile planar fabrics are
associated with NNE- to NE-trending upright tight folds. It consists of quartzite, granite,
granodiorite, diorite, Meta sediments and Meta volcanic (Kazmen, 1975 MengaSsha et
al.1996). Therefore, the basement is mostly mode up of metamorphic and igneous rocks.

 Pre-Adigrat iii “Ethiopian Karroo”

It is a success 350m around lower part of Blue Nile basin but less than 100m in Dejen –
Guhatsion area. There is a pinch out succession to the between pre-Adigrat III and Adigrat
sandstone. It is composed of three successive cycles of stacked, multi-story, sheet sandstone
body that capped by over bank fines.

The basalt part of pre-adigrat III succession age is latest carboniferous to early Permian.
(Anderson 1877, Kemp et al 1977, price 1983)

 Adigrat sandstone

Adigrat sandstone around 100-200m thick and composed two unconformity bounded
stratigraphic unit (Dawit2010). It has two units. Unit I represent the lower stratigraphic unit in
both basin is late Triassic in age .Unit II is late alias sic in age. No relation between facies
succession and depositional systems with unit II in two basins, Blue Nile basin and Mekele
basin.

BHU, 2018 Department of Geology Page 14

 Mapping Sedimentary Terrain Around Dejen-Gohatsion Area 2018

 Gohatsion formation

The succession reaches up to 450m in thickness. According to(Aseffa1981, Russo et al 1994).It

consists of acyclic repetition of facies successions that are composed from bottom to top,
dolostone, marl stone, shell, fine grained coquina cross laminate sandstones and thick beds of
gypsum. As Mohr 1962, assigned the age of Gohatsion formation is bajocian age, whereas
Aseffa, 1981 has given alias sic to bathonian age.

 Antalolimestone

The 420m thick carbonate succession as Russo et al 1994, and Atnafu 2003. It is divided into
three parts .The lower part 180m thick and composed of mudstones, Oolitic and coquinoid
limestone with and without intercalated marl beds, and the others. It is formed at shallow water
Environment. The middle part is 200m thick. That consist highly fossilifereous inter bedding of
marl limestone and marls. The upper part that 50m thickness, which comprises planar laminated
Oolitic and refal limestone, micritic limestone. It is around collovian age Russo et al 1994)

Debrelibanose Sandstone

This unit is also known as upper sand stone and uncomfortably over lies the upper limestone
unit. Since no biostratigraphic or radiometric age data are available, this unit is determinenend to
be of late Jurassic-early cretaceous age based on its stratigraphic relationship whith overlying
and underlying unit. The only paleonthological age dating for the upper sundstone unit was
documented as early cretaceous (Aptian-Albian) in southern Ethiopia. This unit is formed in late
Jurassic to early cretaceous due to land uplift and marine regression (alluvial/fluvial). It has
thickness around 280m.

Volcanic Rock

Lower volcanic rock

The lower volcanic rocks rest uncomfortably on the upper sandstone, with absence of intervening
Paleocene-Eocene rocks. This early-late oligocene flood basalt (26.9-29.4Ma on the base of

BHU, 2018 Department of Geology Page 15

 Mapping Sedimentary Terrain Around Dejen-Gohatsion Area 2018

40Ar/39Ar age dating and magnetostratography of Hofmann et al. 1997) together with
subordinate trachyte and rhyolite cover much of North western Ethiopian plateau It range in
thickness from [Link] basaltic rocks of this unit are characterized by the presence of
well-developed columnar joint.

Upper volcanic rocks

Quaternary volcanic event resulted in the eruption of ~300m thick basaltic rocks. This unit is not
exposed in any of the four key areas, but is encountered close to lake Tana where the Blue Nile
flow towards south east. It is relatively fresh, lack columnar joints and are characterized by
presence of sheet joints and vesicle ranging in diameter between 2mm and [Link] normal
faults are observed in the quaternary volcanic unit. However this unit is characterized by the
presence of NW – NE –trendig fractures.

2. 2. Regional tectonic and strictures

Fault

Is one of the secondary geological structure found on gypsum unit in the study area and it formed by
brittle deformation. That means the fracture with some displacement. This type of fault can be described
as normal fault when hanging wall move down relative to foot wall.

Han
ging

BHU, 2018 Department of Geology Page 16

 Mapping Sedimentary Terrain Around Dejen-Gohatsion Area 2018

Figure 2.2.1 Normal fault on gypsum unit

Foot
wall Joint

Joint is one of the secondary geological structure found in study area on different lithologic unit
and it is fracture without displacement.

BHU, 2018 Department of Geology Page 17

 Mapping Sedimentary Terrain Around Dejen-Gohatsion Area 2018

Figure 2.2 join

2.3 General stratigraphy

The general stratigraphy of the study area is arranged from basement precamberian rock unit
which is the base of the whole strata to Ashang basalt which could formed by Afar mantle plume
and cover the top of the basin. Their arrangement is based on their sedimentation phases (pre
sedimentation, during sedimentation, and post sedimentation) and age.

BHU, 2018 Department of Geology Page 18

 Mapping Sedimentary Terrain Around Dejen-Gohatsion Area 2018

Fig no (a) Generalized stratigraphic column of the Blue Nile Basin, (b) detailed stratigraphic column showing the
repetitive fining-upward facies succession interpreted as fluvial channel deposits within the Lower Sandstone and
(c) detailed stratigraphic column showing sediment logical characteristics of the glauconitic sandy mudstone unit.

Figure A/Regional Lithologic Map B/Regional cross section

2.4 Stratigraphy Column Of the main Rock Units

The stratigraphy of the main rock units of the Blue Nile Basin is unconformably overlaied over
each other starting from the bottom (basement rock) to the top(upper volcanic rocks) of the
basin. In accordance of this, the stratigraphic column of the main rock units is as follow:

BHU, 2018 Department of Geology Page 19

 Mapping Sedimentary Terrain Around Dejen-Gohatsion Area 2018

Post- sedimentation phase Upper volcanic rock

Lower volcanic rock

During sedimentation Upper limestone(Antalo limestone)

Phase Lower limestone

Gypsum unit Gohatsion

formation
Glauconitic sandy mudstone unit

Upper sandstone(Debrelibanos sandstone

Lower sandstone(Adgrate sandstone)

Pre- sedimentation phase Karroo sediment

Basement rock

Table 2.1 The stratigraphic column of the main rock units

CHAPTER THREE

BHU, 2018 Department of Geology Page 20

 Mapping Sedimentary Terrain Around Dejen-Gohatsion Area 2018

3. LOCAL GEOLOGY OF STUDY AREA

Introduction

The study area is covered by different sedimentary lithological units with small amount of lower
volcanic rock. Those are white sandstone, red sandstone, gypsum, limestone and basalt described
from oldest to youngest depending on its thickness. But the one which is the smallest interms of
thickness out of all the geologic unit of the study area is Glauconitic sandy mudstone. Those
lithologic units are categorized as mappable and unmappable geologic [Link] mappable units
are white sandstone, red sandstone, gypsum, limestone and basalt. whereas dolomite, mudstone,
silt stones are unmappable unit that located around study area.

3.1 Detailed Desciriptiones Of Rock Unit

I) Mappable litho logic units

a) White sandstone: is comformably overlained by red sandstone and underlaind by basement

precamberian rocks. Its composition is quartz, clay and feldspar. Its exposure type is river cut
and it is elevation is around [Link] average thickness is around [Link] have white color
and well sorted, medium grain sized texture. It was formed in Late Paleozoic and the oldest of
all sedimentary rock. It formed by glaciations process in continental environment so that its
depositional environment is continental depositional environment. Geologic structures could
there on its outline (i.e cross bedding, wave structure and others).

Fig 3.1 planar cross bedded white sandstone

b) Red sand stone

BHU, 2018 Department of Geology Page 21

 Mapping Sedimentary Terrain Around Dejen-Gohatsion Area 2018

Red sandstone is Mesozoic sedimentary rock deposited next white sandstone. Stratigraphically
located overlained by gypsum and underlained by the white sand stone. It’s found at elevation of
around 1100m with average thickness 225m. As the name shows its color is red. Because it may
be during the process there is precipitation of iron oxide is occurred. Sandstone which contain
high abundance of mineral feldspar and less quartz is known as Arckosic sandstone while high
abundance of quartz and less feldspar is called quartz arenite . Arckosic sandstine has pink color
while quartz arenite has white color. It formed by fluvial process in continental environment. It
is exposed by road cut, cliff form, and quarry site. Its grain size is fine to course grain texture.
Also it consist inorganic material called petrified wood. Some parts of red sandstone is covered
by remains of dead body of siliceous organisim and their the enzyme they secret from their
body. This process is known as bioturbation process.

Fig 3.2 a) cliff form of red sand stone,

Gypsum: is one of the Mesozoic sedimentary rock which could formed during sedimentation
phase having chemical formula calcium sulfate with two molecule of water (CaSo4.2H2O). It
was formed in the early to middle jurasic age. This unit is known as Gohatsion Formation which
is formed by evaporation process so that it is grouped under evaporate type of sedimentary rock.

BHU, 2018 Department of Geology Page 22

 Mapping Sedimentary Terrain Around Dejen-Gohatsion Area 2018

Its depositional environment is transitional environment. It is overlained by lower lime stone and
underlaid by adigrat sandstone. covered by un mappable units like dolostone and mud stone.
Exposed by road cute, quarry site, also cliff form, partly in the south west direction. The
average thickness of gypsum unit is approximately [Link] it is non clastic sedimentary rock
it cannot be described by clastic grain. It has different type by texture and structure ,include
nodular gypsum which has nodule structure mean that not well developed. Chickenwire gypsum
which has well developed structure formed when clay mineral flattened during evaporation
process. Massive gypsum which has very fine and smooth surface. It has a variable could due to
example white, dark white, grey witish brown. But mainly fresh color of gypsum is white and
whitish brown in weathered color.

B
Fig 3.3 Different type of gypsum
A
Generally the distinguishing or diagnostic feature that makes this gypsum unit to be unique is its
structures (chicken wire, laminar, nodular and massive).

d) Limestone

Lime stone is one of Mesozoic sedimentary rock which formed during sedimentation phase.
Stratigraphically it overlained by lower volcanic rock and under lained by gypsum unit. This type
of rock unit is categorized as lower limestone and upper limestone. Those limestone dominated
by fossil are deposited in shallow marine environment. It found by intercalation with marly and
shale. It composed from calcite mineral which has chemical formula calcium carbonate(CaCo3).
The fine grained limestone characterized by less amount of fossil indicating deep marine
environment.

BHU, 2018 Department of Geology Page 23

 Mapping Sedimentary Terrain Around Dejen-Gohatsion Area 2018

It is exposed in South east by cliff form and road cut. Depend on fossil content, structure and
carbonate grain size, limestone texture is divided into;- micrite, peloid, fossilferous and oolitic
limestone.

Micritic limestone is whitish to grey color which has smooth flat surface and has very fine grain
size. Olitic limestone is also witish to grey color and has circular coarse grain. Fossilferous
limestone have very coarse grain wich contains fossils like gastropods, brachiopods, bivalves and
other trace fossils like condirate. Limestone is formed by transgretion in marine environment. It
exposed by road cut, cliff form and quarry site

Fig 3.4 A) upper cliff form of limestone

e) Basalt

Basalt is the youngest lower volcanic rock which is formed in post sedmentation phase in
early to late Oligocene age. Stratigraphically It overlying all Mesozoic sedimentary rock at both
side of study area(Dejen to Gohatsion) . It is exposed in South east by road cut, quarry site and
hill form. It has approximately 140m thickness. The weathered color of basalt is dark brown and
black fresh color. It is the rock that formed from direct cooling of lava. So the texture of basalt is
aphanatic.

The observed type of basalt in study area includes columnar basalt which formed by cooling of
magma at most top surface before reaching surface of the earth then again the other magma

BHU, 2018 Department of Geology Page 24

 Mapping Sedimentary Terrain Around Dejen-Gohatsion Area 2018

overlying on previous magma form columnar joint. Generally, the top of the study area is
covered by lower volcanic rock.

Fig 3.5 columnar basalt

II) Unmappable units

A Dolomite

One type of Mesozoic sedimentary rock formed in sedimentation phase. It is unmappable rock
unit composed from iron, magnesium carbonate (Fe,Mg)Co3 that exist in the study area. It
Located between gypsum and glauconitic sandy mudstone. It is exposed by road cut. It has
Yellowish weathered color and brownish yellow fresh color. It has fine to medium grain size and
average thickness of dolomite is around 40m.

B Mudstone (glauconitic muddy sand stone)

Mudstone is the softest rock that located underlying gypsum unit and overlying of marl. It is
intercalated with gypsum, shale and also dolomite. Mudstone is exposed by road cut and average
thickness 50m. The fresh color of mudstone is greenish due to existence of glauconite and red
weathered color. It has fine to medium grain size.

BHU, 2018 Department of Geology Page 25

 Mapping Sedimentary Terrain Around Dejen-Gohatsion Area 2018

Fig 3.7 Glauconitic Mud stone

C Marl

Marl is one of sedimentary rock unit wich contain 50% carbonate and 50% non carbonate that
means loosely consolidated mixture of siliclastic clay and calcium [Link] between mud
stone and limestone. It is found as intercalation with limestone. It is characterized by its gentle
slope and contains mud intercalated with fossilifereous limestone. Exposed by road cut and
around 80m thickness. Have yellowish fresh color and fine grain texture. It is not well
compacted or it is un consolidated. it has alternate bedding of micritic limestone. It has
dominantly coquina fossil.

BHU, 2018 Department of Geology Page 26

 Mapping Sedimentary Terrain Around Dejen-Gohatsion Area 2018

Fig3.8 Marl intercalated with limestone

Page 22

3.2 Geological structure

3.2.1Primary structures

Primary structure is the structure that is formed during formation of the lithological unit, which
includes bedding, lamination, cross bedding. Not disturbed deformation. Normal strata of the
rock layer.

BHU, 2018 Department of Geology Page 27

 Mapping Sedimentary Terrain Around Dejen-Gohatsion Area 2018

I )Bedding

Bedding is the primary structure that has approximately above 1m thickness. This structure is
observed on limestone, gypsum and mudstone also it is horizontal continuous layer

II) Lamination

It is structure that less than one meter thick. It is also known as facility which is observed on mud
intercalation sand stone and shale.

iii) Cross – bedding

It is the structure formed by changing of wind direction. It shows paleo current direction of the
early wind. It is observed on white sand stone and red sand stone.

Fig 3.10 Cross bedding structure on red sandstone

3.2.2 Secondary structures

It is the type of geological structure that formed after lithological unit formation. It contains
fault, fractures and joint.

A)Fault

Fault is fracture within the rock unit along which movement has taken place that means it is one
of the secondary Geological structure which is fracture with some displacement. In the study
area normal fault is found on gypsum unit. Example on gypsum unit with 70 0 SW fault plane
which is formed by extensional force

BHU, 2018 Department of Geology Page 28

 Mapping Sedimentary Terrain Around Dejen-Gohatsion Area 2018

H
a

Foot
wall

Fig 3.11 Normal fault found in gypsum

BHU, 2018 Department of Geology Page 29

 Mapping Sedimentary Terrain Around Dejen-Gohatsion Area 2018

B) Fracture

Fracture is one of the secondary type of sedimentary structure that observed mainly on sand
stone and limestone. It is formed by brittle deformation

C) Joint

Joint is a fracture along which no appreciable movement has taken place and it is secondary
geological structure that mainly observed on basaltic rock. It is formed by extensional force due
to deformation.

Fig 3.13 Local geological map of study area

CHAPTER FOUR

4 Discussion AND RISULTS

BHU, 2018 Department of Geology Page 30

 Mapping Sedimentary Terrain Around Dejen-Gohatsion Area 2018

The land forms like steep cliff and gentle slope are easily exposed to erosion and weathering.
Although, the matter and degree of being weather and erode is not the same. Just the steep sloped
landform is easily weathered and eroded highly rather than gentle sloped landform. The
vegetation is located on gentle slope rather than steep slope simply to decide the limestone
depositional environment is marine by using fossil content while Sandstone is known by clastic
grain which show continental depositional environment. This clastic grain is formed from rock
fragment by action of transportation agent like water, wind, etc. from surface of earth. Gypsum
unit are shows different color like whitish, in case of presence of algal mite, there are mud
intercalation with gypsum and shale in sandstone they have different composition. There is time
gap during formation and deposition of the rocks. Also there are many secondary structures like
joint, fracture and fault which we have observed around the study area. We have appreciated that
the geological units of those representative samples which we have studied in lab.

4.1 DISCUSION OF REGIONAL AND LOCAL ROAK

4.2 Correlation structure and tectonics

The major exposed rock units in study area correlate regional geological unit with local units,
which is based on lithological, stratigraphic description.

In local stratigraphic most informational are studied. The geology regional basin basements are
pre –AdigratIII , Adigrat sandstone, Gohastion formation ,Antalo limestone and the tertiary trap
series .The exposure rock of local area is white sand stone, red sand stone, gypsum, limestone
unit and basalt.

They can be correlated with regional geology by texture, structure, and fossil content. White sand
stone with Karroo sandstone, red sand stone with Adigrat sand stone, Gypsum is correlated with
gohastion formation, limestone is correlated with Antalo limestone. Basalt is correlated with
tertiary trap series. From oldest to youngest stratigraphic of study area are Pre Adigrat III
(Ethiopian Karroo), Adigrat sand stone, Gohatsion formation, Antalo limestone and Ashange
basalt .

BHU, 2018 Department of Geology Page 31

 Mapping Sedimentary Terrain Around Dejen-Gohatsion Area 2018

Regional stratigraphy Local stratigraphy

Figure 4.1 Correlation of local geology with regional geology

BHU, 2018 Department of Geology Page 32

 Mapping Sedimentary Terrain Around Dejen-Gohatsion Area 2018

CHAPTER FIVE

5. ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE

There are variety of sedimentary rock exist in study area, that have high economic importance.
The most common rocks are gypsum, basalt, chert, coal, limestone, shale, sand stone.

Gypsum: Non toxic mineral gypsum help full to human, animal plant life and the environment.
To create surgical and ortho padic cast. As color additive for drug and cosmetics. Primary
ingredient tooth pest and also as food additive.

It is mainly used for manufacture of wall board and plaster formation. Also used for home
construction and raw material for ceramic factories, painting factories and also cement formation
(locally).

Limestone: It used as crushed construction material, serving as a base for road and ballast in rail
roads, used to make cement with shale, serve as aggregate material in concrete,

Limestone is the high economic importance rock that is used for cement factories (locally). Also
it is used for preparing concretes, people use it as fertilizers because of carbonate composition
also used for mortar formation.

5.3 Basalt

Serving as material for buildings and road, it used as ballast for rail road beds

Is igneous rock, but it is one stratigraphic unit of the study area. It is used for all construction,
preparing of concrete and for gravel road construction (hall .A 1996, igneous petrology second
edition)

5.4 Shale

Used in ceramic production, cement factories and used for exploration of site of natural oils
(second edition sedimentary petrology)

BHU, 2018 Department of Geology Page 33

 Mapping Sedimentary Terrain Around Dejen-Gohatsion Area 2018

5.5 Sand stone

Used for ornaments and it is one common building material, Because of resistance of weathering.
Also used for concrete and construction of asphalt Sandstone is the one type of rock that used for
glass factories.

5.6 Dolomite

Useful material for reducing soil acidity and for cement factories and ornamental stones. Also
used for constructions incase of its carbonate content used as fertilizer and host of magnesium
element)

BHU, 2018 Department of Geology Page 34

 Mapping Sedimentary Terrain Around Dejen-Gohatsion Area 2018

CHAPTER SIX

6. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

6.1 Conclusion

Generally study area is found in Abay basin, which is one of the five sedimentary basins in
Ethiopia, restrictly between Dejen and Gohastion district. This basin is covered by different
sedimentary litho logic unit with small amount of volcanic rock.

Abay basin consists of five mappable units from oldest to youngest; white sandstone (karroo
sandstone), red sandstone, gypsum, limestone and basalt. Unmappable units are; marl,
glauconitic mud stone, dolomite, and others.

White sandstone is grey green color and small in thickness. It contains approximately 80m and
planar cross bedded structure exposed by river cut.

The red sandstone unit is containing reddish sandstone and white sandstone due to existence of
iron oxide. Organic materials that petrified wood also existed. Red sandstone is clastic type of
sedimentary rock. In small range mad stone is intercalated in sandstone.

Exposed by quarry site and road cut. Also dolomite, mudstone, siltstone, algal mate, and the
other sub units are concentrated in gypsum unit. Because of the depositional environment for
gypsum is transitional. It is around 460m thick.

Limestone unit contain many sub units includes oolitic unit, micritic unit,fossilferous unit, peloid
and it is around 150m thick. Under this limestone there are four sub units are exist. Those are
upper cliff, upper marl, lower cliff, and lower marl units. In upper and lower marl there is trace
fossil in the lower the fossil like coquina is exist. Marl is yellowish in color and gentle slope
structure. The geological structure of the area is primary structure like bedding, lamination and
cross bedding. And also secondary structures are exist like fault, joint and fractured, which are
formed due to deformation process. The rock unit in the study area is economically important.
Example; basalt for construction and for concrete formation. Limestone for cement factories,
sandstone for construction also for glass factories, gypsum for paints, ornaments, cement
factories

BHU, 2018 Department of Geology Page 35

 Mapping Sedimentary Terrain Around Dejen-Gohatsion Area 2018

6.2 Recommendation

To understand and fully skilled about the study area taking the sample and analysis in laboratory
is best way. But to identify the composition, age of rock, internal structure there is no full
laboratories for Geology department in Bule Hora University . In study area the representative
samples which shows different sedimentary structure and carbonate grain are going to finished
because, no one keep them in good way .E.g. petrified wood. Quarry sites also, destroy the
exposed sample, so it is better to bound (protect) the area for study. The rocks that exposed at
study area are the best row material of different factories, like cement factory, glass factory and
ceramic factory. But there is no more factory around the area. If it were constructed for the
people of the area and also for government it was source of income. Also reduce unemployment
of the country. So the government must find the solution for this problem as much as possible in
the future.

REFERENCE

BHU, 2018 Department of Geology Page 36

 Mapping Sedimentary Terrain Around Dejen-Gohatsion Area 2018

Anderson, 1877, ( Pree adigrat III age is latest carboniferous to early Permian),

Assefa G. 1991. Lithostratigraphy and environment of deposition of the Late Jurassic–Early

Cretaceous sequence of the central part of Northwestern Plateau, Ethiopia. Neues Jahrbuch fur
Geologie und Paleontologie Abhandunglen 182: 255–284.

Atnafu,A…..Division of Antalo Limestone

Dawit 2009,2010……Thickness of Adigrat sand stone Unit As 100m to 200m

Hall.A1996…..Economic importance of Volcanic Rock

Igneous Petrology Second Edition

John Wiley 2008 and Sons …Stratigraphy of Abay Basin as (Abay Basin is uncomformably
overlying neo proterozoic Basement rock and Overlained by Early to late Oligocene)

Kemp Et al…..Pre Adigrat III “ Ethiopian Karro” Succession Age as Latest Carboniferous to
Early Permian

Igneous petrology second edition…….Economic I mportance Of Volcanic rock

Kemp et al 1977,Price 1987…….Paleozozic to Mesozoic Sedimentary Succession in Blue Nile

Basin

Mohr,1962 …..Age of Gohatsion Formation Unit as Bacogian age.

Russo, et al 1994 ……Antalo Lime Stone Succession Comprise Planar Laminated Oolitic And
Refal Limestone

Second edition sedimentary petrology……Economic Importance Of Sedimentary rock units.

BHU, 2018 Department of Geology Page 37

 Mapping Sedimentary Terrain Around Dejen-Gohatsion Area 2018

BHU, 2018 Department of Geology Page 38