Investigation of geothermal resource potential sites in areas around lake natron in the East Africa rift system by using remote sensing satellite data

Despite several previous studies that have been conducted to assess the geothermal potential areas around Lake Natron, there is limited information about the extent and locations of the potential target sites. This study aimed to delineate potential sites for geothermal resources in areas around Lake Natron by using remote sensing satellite data. Remote sensing data with relatively high spatial and spectral resolution such as ASTER data were processed to map land surface temperature and hydrothermal alteration minerals specifically those used as geothermal indicator minerals. The empirical approaches applied to validate the results were field mapping and measurements, laboratory analyses and structural determination using aeromagnetic and SRTM data. Field mapping realized the presences of geothermal manifestations such as thermal springs with temperatures range between 32 and 51 °C and pH between 8 and 10, respectively, the hot springs are linearly oriented along the major faults of the rift. Some parts of the study area were found to be characterized by thermal and hydrothermal alteration minerals such as clays, sulfates, silica, carbonates and ferric iron. Findings of the study revealed a strong correlation between remote sensing mapped hydrothermal alteration minerals as well as thermal infrared anomalies and the mapped geothermal surface manifestations, for example, the hot springs and faults. Overall observation this study indicates the Lake Natron study area is prospective for geothermal resources particularly in the western part where hot springs are located along the major fault system of Natron-Wembere-Eyasi and Natron-Manyara- Barangida faults. Despite the impressive results shown from this study there is a need to conduct more detailed Investigation using high spectral and spatial resolution remote sensing data and other geological approaches such as geophysics and geochemistry so as to estimate for the geothermal resources of the area.