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Geomorphological Landscapes of Ethiopia

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Book cover Landscapes and Landforms of Ethiopia

Part of the book series: World Geomorphological Landscapes ((WGLC))

Abstract

This introductory chapter reports about the main geographic and geomorphologic features of Ethiopia. The prevailing soil types are described and soil erosion data are reported and analyzed. A brief description of the natural vegetation is provided as well. The country’s main geomorphological landscapes regions are identified as follows: (1) the northern highlands, including (i) the volcanic plug belt of Adwa, (ii) the central highlands and (iii) the southwestern highlands; (2) the Rift Valley, which consists of three main portions, namely the northern, central, and southern trunks and the Afar and Danakil depressions; (3) the southern plateau, which consists of a northern and southern sector and includes also the Ogaden tableland gently descending to Somalia and the Indian Ocean. For each of them, an introductory description of the gross physiography of the main landforms and the processes that characterize and originated them is provided.

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Acknowledgments

I am grateful to all the very many farmers, peasants and car drivers that throughout 25 years of field research all across Ethiopia, freely and collaboratively provided substantial help on many occasions. Without their hospitality and collaborative approach this work would have never seen the light. Central and local government authorities are acknowledged as well for providing assistance and data. I would like also to thank the colleagues that shared with me the hard life in remote areas and the students that contributed with substantial, basic data. A special thank to Ernesto Abbate, Mario Sagri and Milvio Fazzuoli that introduced me to the beauties of the Horn of Africa geology and geomorphology, to Giovanni Ferrari for his inspiring views and, finally, to Fabrizio Vannacci that faithfully assisted me with his laboratory, field and human skills in such a long endeavor. Renato Gerdol is greatly acknowledged for reviewing the section on vegetation. Many thanks also to Carlo Bisci for providing the base map of Fig. 1.1 and to Lorenzo Orioli for the information and photos of the Sanetti Plain.

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  1. Physics and Earth Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy

    Paolo Billi

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  1. Paolo Billi
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  1. Physics and Earth Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy

    Paolo Billi

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Billi, P. (2015). Geomorphological Landscapes of Ethiopia. In: Billi, P. (eds) Landscapes and Landforms of Ethiopia. World Geomorphological Landscapes. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-8026-1_1

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