Structural Controls Analysis and Its Correlation with Geothermal Occurrence at Barrier Volcanic Complex (BVC), Turkana, Kenya

Abstract

Geothermal is a clean energy source that is freely available in the subsurface. The exploitation of this vital resource needs intensive exploration in order to identify and quantify its occurrence. The three parameters considered when assessing the viability of a geothermal system include; heat source, fractures and fluids. Geological structures are important in transportation of fluids to and from the heat source aiding in recharge of the geothermal system and enhancing productivity. Remote sensing method was applied in mapping the structures at Barrier Volcanic Complex (BVC) by using hill shading technique which utilized four illumination angles of the sun (azimuth) i.e. 45°, 90°, 150°, and 315°, constant elevation of 45° and exaggeration of 10. The data used was Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission (SRTM) Satellite Imagery. ArcGIS Software was used for lineaments delineation and density mapping, PCI Geomatica was used to generate major faults, while Georose and Rockworks 17 were used to generate the rose diagrams. Geological structural analysis was done by delineating lineaments, determining the density distribution of lineaments and finally determining the structural trends of lineaments. The generated major faults in the area and the location of the occurrence of surface manifestations were compared with the generated lineaments. A total of 260 lineaments were generated whereby at 45° there was a total of 60 lineaments, at 90° 95 lineaments, at 150° 61 lineaments, and at 315° 44 lineaments. The results of structural analysis in the area as shown by the rose diagrams indicate an NNE-SSW and N-S trending of structures. In conclusion, the study area is highly fractured as indicated by the presence of numerous lineaments. These lineaments provide good recharge to the geothermal system and enhance the geothermal reservoir in the area.