Focal person Message

 

The Focal Person Central Ethiopia Rift Valley Geopark

Mr Wondimu abate urgo

It gives me great pleasure to encourage you to discover Central Ethiopia Rift Valley Geopark's rich geoheritage, lively culture, and breathtaking scenery as the centrepiece of this special and priceless location. Our geopark is committed to community involvement, sustainable tourism, and the preservation of exceptional geological formations. We cordially invite partners, academics, and tourists to join us in preserving and honouring this incredible natural legacy. By working together, we can guarantee that Silti-Butajira Geopark will continue to motivate next generations

Sincerely,

Address :- Wabate22@gmail.com

Natural and Cultural Highlights Central Ethiopia Rift Valley Geopark

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Geological Features

The geopark encompasses the Butajira volcanic field, which stretches approximately 80 km in a northeast-southwest direction and consists of numerous basaltic cinder cones, maars (crater-like volcanic depressions formed by explosive eruptions), and extensive lava flows. These volcanic features are predominantly Quaternary in age, reflecting recent geological activity related to the rift's extension. The region's rock formations include Late Miocene to Pleistocene ignimbrites, basaltic flood lavas, trachytic lava flows, pyroclastic deposits, and rift-related sedimentary sequences. The tectonic framework is dominated by major faults such as the Guraghe fault zone and the Silti-Debre Zeyit fault system, which serve as boundaries and conduits for magma movement and geothermal fluids. Geothermal potential is evident through subsurface conductive layers and thermal surface manifestations, linked to these fault-controlled structures. Petrochemical studies show the basalts derive largely from a homogeneous mantle source with evidence of shallow crustal magma differentiation.

Geo Site Map

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cultural heritages

The Tiya Megalithic Site: The geology of Tiya is dominated by Quaternary basalt
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Central Ethiopia Rift Valley Geopar area: The Silti Cultural Museum is found Wer
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Indigenous Governance and Conflict Resolution Systems: In the Butajira–Silti reg
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Fethel Mosque (East Guraghe Zone): It is locally regarded as a historic and prom
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Key Geological Sites

Sites Panel

Rift Floor Volcanic BadlandsThese striking badlands formed on layers of volcanic ash and ignimbrite rather than sedimentary rocks, making them rare worldwide.Different ash layers erode at different rates, creating deep gullies, sharp ridges, and isolated rock towers.Faulting exposes these layers, while rainfall accelerates erosion, transforming the land into dramatic badland scenery.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

 

Wulbareg Axial Rhyolitic & Obsidian DomeThe Wulbareg Dome rises prominently above the rift floor and is composed of obsidian, pumice, and rhyolite—rocks formed from silica-rich magma.Unlike common basaltic eruptions in the Rift, this dome formed from thick, sticky lava that piled up near the vent, creating steep slopes and glassy obsidian flows.The site shows that rift volcanism is more complex than it appears, involving both basaltic and silicic magmas.Obsidian from similar Ethiopian Rift volcanoes was used by early humans to make tools, linking this landscape to human evolution.
Midre Kebd Structural HighMidre Kebd is a raised block of land formed by intersecting fault systems within the Rift Valley. It stands between the rift margin and the rift center.These faults uplifted the land while nearby areas subsided, creating basins and embayments such as the Addis Ababa Embayment, where recent volcanic activity is concentrated.These structural high plays a key role in controlling volcanism, earthquakes, groundwater flow, and lake formation in central Ethiopia.
Midre Kebd Structural HighMidre Kebd is a raised block of land formed by intersecting fault systems within the Rift Valley. It stands between the rift margin and the rift center.These faults uplifted the land while nearby areas subsided, creating basins and embayments such as the Addis Ababa Embayment, where recent volcanic activity is concentrated.These structural high plays a key role in controlling volcanism, earthquakes, groundwater flow, and lake formation in central Ethiopia.

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