Modelling volcano-tectonic interactions in a transtensional domain: The North Tanzanian sector of the East African Rift System. (FWOTM616)

This project aims at studying these mutual interactions in a so-far poorly studied extensional to transtensional domain of the East African Rift System (EARS) and their relevance for flank collapse hazards. Recent rift intrusions and volcanic eruptions together with newly documented debris avalanche deposits point towards the need to understand the tectonic controls on volcano-related hazards in the EARS. Detailed mapping of volcano-tectonic features on DEMs integrated with existing geophysical and geochronological data will put constraints on the regional stresses. Fieldwork will then be conducted at Mt Meru, an active volcano with a 7200 B.P flank collapse located next to Arusha, to constrain debris avalanche dynamics and tectonic controls. Finally, analogue models will be developed to constrain the interplay of volcanic and tectonic structures at the regional and volcano-scale, providing insights into the factors controlling the occurrence of hazardous flank collapses in extensional to trans-tensional domains.

Keywords:Geographics

Disciplines:Geomatic engineering, Instructional sciences, Soil sciences, challenges and pollution, Urban and regional design, development and planning, Physical geography and environmental geoscience