Structural style of the Turkana Rift, Kenya

Thomas J. Dunkelman, Jeffrey A. Karson, Bruce R. Rosendahl

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

58 Scopus citations

Abstract

Multifold seismic reflection and geologic mapping in part of the eastern branch of the East African Rift system of northern Kenya reveal a major rift structure containing at least 3 km of Neogene sediment fill beneath Lake Turkana. This includes a series of half-graben basins, with centrally located Quaternary volcanic centers, which are linked end-to-end by structural accommodation zones. Whereas the geometry of rifting is similar to that of the nonvolcanic western branch of the East African Rift system, the Turkana half-grabens are much smaller and may reflect extension of a thinner lithosphere or development of more closely spaced fracture patterns during rift evolution, or both.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)258-261
Number of pages4
JournalGeology
Volume16
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1988
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geology

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