Applications of Gravity Method to Map Groundwater Flow in the Ziway Langano Corridor, Central Main Ethiopian Rift

In this study, gravity data were analyzed and interpreted to assess the ground water flow of Ziway Langano corridor. Gravity survey sets out to investigate the subsurface geology on the basis of anomalies causing gravity field to result from density properties of the subsurface rocks and also used in mapping geological boundaries between contrasting lithologies including (fractures and faults).The field data was qualitatively and quantitatively interpreted using geosoft oasis montaj software. The study area is located in the Central Main Ethiopian rift (CMER). The area ranges in elevation between 2150 and 1500 m above sea level. Geographically the Ziway- Langano corridor is bounded between 7045’N-800’N longitude and 38030’E- 39000’E latitude. In the present study, gravity data have been compiled, processed and interpreted to examine the subsurface geological structures and groundwater flow in the Ziway- Langano Corridor. Further, based on the results of gravity anomaly and profiles, this paper attempts to describe the tectonic and geologic implications of the stud yarea. The major rocks suspected to be found in the study area are volcanic ash, sediment deposit, rhyolite, ignimbrite, and basalt.