Articles | Volume 8, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/se-8-45-2017
© Author(s) 2017. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/se-8-45-2017
© Author(s) 2017. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
The Kenya rift revisited: insights into lithospheric strength through data-driven 3-D gravity and thermal modelling
GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Sections 6.1 & 2.2,
Telegrafenberg, 14473 Potsdam, Germany
Christian Meeßen
GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Sections 6.1 & 2.2,
Telegrafenberg, 14473 Potsdam, Germany
Institute of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Potsdam,
14476 Potsdam, Germany
Mauro Cacace
GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Sections 6.1 & 2.2,
Telegrafenberg, 14473 Potsdam, Germany
James Mechie
GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Sections 6.1 & 2.2,
Telegrafenberg, 14473 Potsdam, Germany
Stewart Fishwick
Department of Geology, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK
Christian Heine
New Ventures, Upstream International, Shell International Exploration
& Production B.V., 2596 HR, The Hague, the Netherlands
Magdalena Scheck-Wenderoth
GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Sections 6.1 & 2.2,
Telegrafenberg, 14473 Potsdam, Germany
Manfred R. Strecker
Institute of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Potsdam,
14476 Potsdam, Germany
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Cited
45 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Localization of Deformation in a Non‐Collisional Subduction Orogen: The Roles of Dip Geometry and Plate Strength on the Evolution of the Broken Andean Foreland, Sierras Pampeanas, Argentina M. Pons et al.
- The magma-poor Somalian continental margin: Lower crustal boudinage and mantle exhumation M. Haji Hassan et al.
- Aborted propagation of the Ethiopian rift caused by linkage with the Kenyan rift G. Corti et al.
- 3D gravity modelling of Colorado and Claromecó basins: new evidences for the evolution of the southwestern margin of Gondwana S. Vazquez Lucero et al.
- Thermo-Rheological Properties of the Ethiopian Lithosphere and Evidence for Transient Fluid Induced Lower Crustal Seismicity Beneath the Ethiopian Rift A. Muluneh et al.
- Cenozoic tectono-sedimentary evolution of the northern Turkana Depression (East African Rift System) and its significance for continental rifts A. Nutz et al.
- Potential geothermal reservoir systems in the Kenyan Great Rift Valley and volcanic region assessed by ambient noise analysis C. Chhun et al.
- Potential Geothermal Reservoir System in the Kenyan Great Rift Valley and Volcanic Region Assessed by Ambient Noise Analysis C. Chhun et al.
- Potential Geothermal Reservoir Systems in the Kenyan Great Rift Valley and Volcanic Region Assessed by Ambient Noise Analysis C. Chhun et al.
- 3D thermal model of Sicily (Southern Italy) and perspectives for new exploration campaigns for geothermal resources G. Floridia et al.
- Body‐Wave Tomographic Imaging of the Turkana Depression: Implications for Rift Development and Plume‐Lithosphere Interactions R. Kounoudis et al.
- Recent volcano-tectonic activity of the Ririba rift and the evolution of rifting in South Ethiopia Z. Franceschini et al.
- 3D thermal and rheological models of the southern Río de la Plata Craton (Argentina): implications for the initial stage of the Colorado rifting and the evolution of Sierras Australes S. Lucero et al.
- Paleorift structure constrained by gravity and stratigraphic data: The Statherian Araí rift case M. Martins-Ferreira et al.
- Controls on Asymmetric Rift Dynamics: Numerical Modeling of Strain Localization and Fault Evolution in the Kenya Rift M. Richter et al.
- Joint interpretation of gravity and resistivity data from the Northern Kenya volcanic rift zone: Structural and geothermal significance C. Lichoro et al.
- Mantle Dynamics and Late Paleozoic Glaciations F. DAVILA et al.
- Controls of the Lithospheric Thermal Field of an Ocean-Continent Subduction Zone: The Southern Central Andes C. Rodriguez Piceda et al.
- Tectono-thermal evolution of a long-lived segment of the East African Rift System: Thermochronological insights from the North Lokichar Basin, Turkana, Kenya S. Boone et al.
- Fault‐magma interactions during early continental rifting: Seismicity of the Magadi‐Natron‐Manyara basins, Africa A. Weinstein et al.
- Crustal Structure of the Andean Foreland in Northern Argentina: Results From Data‐Integrative Three‐Dimensional Density Modeling C. Meeßen et al.
- Evolution of rift faulting in incipient, magma-poor divergent plate boundaries: New insights from the Okavango-Makgadikgadi Rift Zone, Botswana C. Grant et al.
- Oblique rifting: the rule, not the exception S. Brune et al.
- The development of multiple phases of superposed rifting in the Turkana Depression, East Africa: Evidence from receiver functions C. Ogden et al.
- Geological structures controlling the placement and geometry of heat sources within the Menengai geothermal field, Kenya as evidenced by gravity study I. Kanda et al.
- Geodynamic Evolution of the East African Superplume: Insights From Volcanism in the Western Turkana Basin Y. Cai et al.
- The legacy of the East African rift system in understanding continental rifts worldwide from geophysical studies (with emphasis on gravity and magnetic studies) L. Emishaw et al.
- Inception and evolution of the Turkana Depression: A review from the perspective of the longest-lived sector of the East African Rift C. Morley & S. Boone
- Vent distribution and structural inheritance in an embryonic rift: The example of the Chyulu Hills off-rift magmatic range (South Kenya) F. Mazzarini & I. Isola
- Crustal Structure of Active Deformation Zones in Africa: Implications for Global Crustal Processes C. Ebinger et al.
- Normal fault reactivation during multiphase extension: Analogue models and application to the Turkana depression, East Africa L. Wang et al.
- 2D seismic design on frontier basins using potential field data, a case study in the south of the eastern arm of the East African Rift System M. Nalogwa et al.
- Is There a Speed Limit for the Thermal Steady‐State Assumption in Continental Rifts? E. Heckenbach et al.
- Phanerozoic thermochronology record of Afro-Arabia through space and time S. Boone et al.
- Early syn-rift igneous dike patterns, northern Kenya Rift (Turkana, Kenya): Implications for local and regional stresses, tectonics, and magma-structure interactions C. Morley
- Crustal structure and deep geotherm of the Pearl River Delta in South China: Insights from gravity and thermal modeling K. Liao et al.
- Hybrid local and teleseismic P-wave tomography in North Tanzania: role of inherited structures and magmatism on continental rifting A. Clutier et al.
- A quantitative assessment of tectonic stretching in the northern North Sea, the Triassic of the Utsira High and greater Tampen Spur area R. Sordi et al.
- Influence of Rift Superposition on Lithospheric Response to East African Rift System Extension: Lapur Range, Turkana, Kenya S. Boone et al.
- Accommodation of East African Rifting Across the Turkana Depression E. Knappe et al.
- Non‐uniform splitting of a single mantle plume by double cratonic roots: Insight into the origin of the central and southern East African Rift System A. Koptev et al.
- Continental rifting at magmatic centres: structural implications from the Late Quaternary Menengai Caldera, central Kenya Rift S. Riedl et al.
- Lithospheric strength variations and seismotectonic segmentation below the Sea of Marmara E. Gholamrezaie et al.
- A global reference model of the lithosphere and upper mantle from joint inversion and analysis of multiple data sets J. Afonso et al.
- Spectral Analysis of Gravity Data Using Spectral Analysis with Piecewise Regression (SAPR): Application to the Lake Turkana Rift, Northern Kenya and Southern Ethiopia L. Emishaw et al.
45 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Localization of Deformation in a Non‐Collisional Subduction Orogen: The Roles of Dip Geometry and Plate Strength on the Evolution of the Broken Andean Foreland, Sierras Pampeanas, Argentina M. Pons et al.
- The magma-poor Somalian continental margin: Lower crustal boudinage and mantle exhumation M. Haji Hassan et al.
- Aborted propagation of the Ethiopian rift caused by linkage with the Kenyan rift G. Corti et al.
- 3D gravity modelling of Colorado and Claromecó basins: new evidences for the evolution of the southwestern margin of Gondwana S. Vazquez Lucero et al.
- Thermo-Rheological Properties of the Ethiopian Lithosphere and Evidence for Transient Fluid Induced Lower Crustal Seismicity Beneath the Ethiopian Rift A. Muluneh et al.
- Cenozoic tectono-sedimentary evolution of the northern Turkana Depression (East African Rift System) and its significance for continental rifts A. Nutz et al.
- Potential geothermal reservoir systems in the Kenyan Great Rift Valley and volcanic region assessed by ambient noise analysis C. Chhun et al.
- Potential Geothermal Reservoir System in the Kenyan Great Rift Valley and Volcanic Region Assessed by Ambient Noise Analysis C. Chhun et al.
- Potential Geothermal Reservoir Systems in the Kenyan Great Rift Valley and Volcanic Region Assessed by Ambient Noise Analysis C. Chhun et al.
- 3D thermal model of Sicily (Southern Italy) and perspectives for new exploration campaigns for geothermal resources G. Floridia et al.
- Body‐Wave Tomographic Imaging of the Turkana Depression: Implications for Rift Development and Plume‐Lithosphere Interactions R. Kounoudis et al.
- Recent volcano-tectonic activity of the Ririba rift and the evolution of rifting in South Ethiopia Z. Franceschini et al.
- 3D thermal and rheological models of the southern Río de la Plata Craton (Argentina): implications for the initial stage of the Colorado rifting and the evolution of Sierras Australes S. Lucero et al.
- Paleorift structure constrained by gravity and stratigraphic data: The Statherian Araí rift case M. Martins-Ferreira et al.
- Controls on Asymmetric Rift Dynamics: Numerical Modeling of Strain Localization and Fault Evolution in the Kenya Rift M. Richter et al.
- Joint interpretation of gravity and resistivity data from the Northern Kenya volcanic rift zone: Structural and geothermal significance C. Lichoro et al.
- Mantle Dynamics and Late Paleozoic Glaciations F. DAVILA et al.
- Controls of the Lithospheric Thermal Field of an Ocean-Continent Subduction Zone: The Southern Central Andes C. Rodriguez Piceda et al.
- Tectono-thermal evolution of a long-lived segment of the East African Rift System: Thermochronological insights from the North Lokichar Basin, Turkana, Kenya S. Boone et al.
- Fault‐magma interactions during early continental rifting: Seismicity of the Magadi‐Natron‐Manyara basins, Africa A. Weinstein et al.
- Crustal Structure of the Andean Foreland in Northern Argentina: Results From Data‐Integrative Three‐Dimensional Density Modeling C. Meeßen et al.
- Evolution of rift faulting in incipient, magma-poor divergent plate boundaries: New insights from the Okavango-Makgadikgadi Rift Zone, Botswana C. Grant et al.
- Oblique rifting: the rule, not the exception S. Brune et al.
- The development of multiple phases of superposed rifting in the Turkana Depression, East Africa: Evidence from receiver functions C. Ogden et al.
- Geological structures controlling the placement and geometry of heat sources within the Menengai geothermal field, Kenya as evidenced by gravity study I. Kanda et al.
- Geodynamic Evolution of the East African Superplume: Insights From Volcanism in the Western Turkana Basin Y. Cai et al.
- The legacy of the East African rift system in understanding continental rifts worldwide from geophysical studies (with emphasis on gravity and magnetic studies) L. Emishaw et al.
- Inception and evolution of the Turkana Depression: A review from the perspective of the longest-lived sector of the East African Rift C. Morley & S. Boone
- Vent distribution and structural inheritance in an embryonic rift: The example of the Chyulu Hills off-rift magmatic range (South Kenya) F. Mazzarini & I. Isola
- Crustal Structure of Active Deformation Zones in Africa: Implications for Global Crustal Processes C. Ebinger et al.
- Normal fault reactivation during multiphase extension: Analogue models and application to the Turkana depression, East Africa L. Wang et al.
- 2D seismic design on frontier basins using potential field data, a case study in the south of the eastern arm of the East African Rift System M. Nalogwa et al.
- Is There a Speed Limit for the Thermal Steady‐State Assumption in Continental Rifts? E. Heckenbach et al.
- Phanerozoic thermochronology record of Afro-Arabia through space and time S. Boone et al.
- Early syn-rift igneous dike patterns, northern Kenya Rift (Turkana, Kenya): Implications for local and regional stresses, tectonics, and magma-structure interactions C. Morley
- Crustal structure and deep geotherm of the Pearl River Delta in South China: Insights from gravity and thermal modeling K. Liao et al.
- Hybrid local and teleseismic P-wave tomography in North Tanzania: role of inherited structures and magmatism on continental rifting A. Clutier et al.
- A quantitative assessment of tectonic stretching in the northern North Sea, the Triassic of the Utsira High and greater Tampen Spur area R. Sordi et al.
- Influence of Rift Superposition on Lithospheric Response to East African Rift System Extension: Lapur Range, Turkana, Kenya S. Boone et al.
- Accommodation of East African Rifting Across the Turkana Depression E. Knappe et al.
- Non‐uniform splitting of a single mantle plume by double cratonic roots: Insight into the origin of the central and southern East African Rift System A. Koptev et al.
- Continental rifting at magmatic centres: structural implications from the Late Quaternary Menengai Caldera, central Kenya Rift S. Riedl et al.
- Lithospheric strength variations and seismotectonic segmentation below the Sea of Marmara E. Gholamrezaie et al.
- A global reference model of the lithosphere and upper mantle from joint inversion and analysis of multiple data sets J. Afonso et al.
- Spectral Analysis of Gravity Data Using Spectral Analysis with Piecewise Regression (SAPR): Application to the Lake Turkana Rift, Northern Kenya and Southern Ethiopia L. Emishaw et al.
Saved (final revised paper)
Latest update: 01 May 2026
Short summary
The Kenya Rift is a zone along which the African continental plate is stretched as evidenced by strong earthquake and volcanic activity. We want to understand the controlling factors of past and future tectonic deformation; hence, we assess the structural and strength configuration of the rift system at the present-day. Data-driven 3-D numerical models show how the inherited composition of the crust and a thermal anomaly in the deep mantle interact to form localised zones of tectonic weakness.
The Kenya Rift is a zone along which the African continental plate is stretched as evidenced by...