Fault Characterization from Lineaments based on Magnetic Data: A Case Study of Magadi Geothermal Prospect, Kenya

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Published: 2025-09-26
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4401/ag-9248

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Evance Odero
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Physics Department, Nairobi, Kenya
John Githiri
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Physics Department, Nairobi, Kenya
Maurice K'Orowe
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Physics Department, Nairobi, Kenya
Patel Jayanti
Technical University of Kenya, Centre for Earth Systems and Space Sciences, Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

Fault characterization is a crucial aspect of exploring geothermal resources. Recent research approves lineament mapping as a useful tool in structural studies. It is largely problematic to decipher the lineaments that are specifically linked to faults, ridges, or other tectonic structures. The study aims to characterize faults from lineaments using magnetic data from the Magadi-Nguruman area, west of Lake Magadi within the Kenyan Rift system. The magnetic data was reduced to pole before lineament generation using the Center of Exploration Targeting (CET) processes and Euler Deconvolution. A rose diagram was used to determine the orientation of the 21 major lineaments. Seven cross-sectional slices across the lineaments provided the data for calculating Euler solutions for the linear magnetic anomaly sources. The obtained Euler plots delineated the approximate depth, dip angles, identity, and strike of the structures linked to the lineaments. The case study results characterized 80% of the generated lineaments as faults with a general strike in the N-S direction. The dipping angles of the detected faults ranged between 36° and 83°, with the majority dipping towards the southern basement of Lake Magadi. The depth ranges of the detected faults were between 0.25 km and 0.74 km. The trends observed in this work are consistent with the reported regional fault orientations, thus qualifying the protocol used in this work. Magadi-Nguruman is sufficiently faulted for a possible geothermal system near Lake Magadi.

Article Details

Issue

Vol. 68 No. 4 (2025)

Section

Tectonophysics
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How to Cite

(1)
Odero, E.; Githiri, J.; K'Orowe, M.; Jayanti, P. Fault Characterization from Lineaments Based on Magnetic Data: A Case Study of Magadi Geothermal Prospect, Kenya. Ann. Geophys. 2025, 68 (4), T441. https://doi.org/10.4401/ag-9248.