Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Geo-hazard in Ethiopia

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Landscapes and Landforms of Ethiopia

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

Abstract

This paper presents an overview of the potentially dangerous geological–geomorphological processes that characterize the territory of Ethiopia. Due to the active crustal mobility causing the ongoing rifting between the Arabian and African plates, this country is particularly prone to high magnitude earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Moreover, the climate, characterized by long-lasting and intense precipitation during the rainy seasons, and the recurrent earthquake shocks are the triggering factors of a variety of landslides that are particularly favoured by the rugged topography, marked by deep valleys and high steep slopes. All these processes may induce different levels of risk in relation to the different hazards and vulnerabilities, especially after the recent development and planning of road networks, dams, reservoirs, and the establishment of new urban settlements in previously uninhabited areas. Finally, an overview of the measures taken by the Ethiopian authorities so far to mitigate geological hazards is presented along with some proposals for future mitigation initiatives.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Abay A, Barbieri G (2012) Landslide susceptibility and causative factors evaluation of the landslide area of Debresina, in the southwestern Afar escarpment, Ethiopia. J Earth Sci Eng 2:133–144

    Google Scholar 

  • Abebe B (1997) Flood vulnerability in Ethiopia and needs for preparedness. Paper for workshop vulnerability in Ethiopia from disaster to development. Addis Abeba, June 23–25, 1997

    Google Scholar 

  • Abebe B, Acocella V, Korme T, Ayalew D (2007) Quaternary faulting and volcanism in the Main Ethiopian Rift. J Afr Earth Sci 48:115–124

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Abebe B, Dramis F, Fubelli G, Umer M, Asrat A (2010) Landslides in the Ethiopian highlands and the Rift margins. J Afr Earth Sci 56:131–138

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alcántara-Ayala I (2002) Geomorphology, natural hazards, vulnerability and prevention of natural disasters in developing countries. Geomorphology 47:107–124

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alemayheu DD (2007) Assessment of flood risk in Dire Dawa town, eastern Ethiopia, using GIS. Unpublished Master thesis, Addis Ababa University

    Google Scholar 

  • Almond DC (1986) Geological evolution of the Afro-Arabian dome. Tectonophysics 131:301–332

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Asfaw EY (2010) Landslide assessment in Blue Nile Gorge, central Ethiopia. Master thesis, Universiteit Gent—Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium

    Google Scholar 

  • Asfaw LM (1982) Development of earthquake induced fissures. Nature 286:551–553

    Google Scholar 

  • Asfaw LM (1988) Catalogue of Ethiopian earthquakes. In: Woldeyes G (ed), SAREC-ESTC conference. Addis Abeba, pp 252–279

    Google Scholar 

  • Asfaw LM (1990) Seismicity and earthquake risk in the Addis Abeba region. SINET -Eth J Sci 13(1):15–35

    Google Scholar 

  • Asfaw LM (1998) Environmental hazard from fissures in the Main Ethiopian Rift. J Afr Earth Sci 27:481–490

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Asrat A, Eshete G, Taddesse S, Getaneh A, Fekede, K (1996) Land mass movement of November 10, 1994 in Goffa District, Northern Omo Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Abstract 3rd Ethiopian Geoscience and Mineral Engineering Congress, 15–17 November 1996, Addis Ababa

    Google Scholar 

  • Ayalew L (1999) The effect of seasonal rainfall on landslides in the highlands of Ethiopia. B Eng Geol Environ 58:9–19

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ayalew L (2000) Factors affecting slope stability in the Blue Nile basin. In: Bromhead M, Dixon N, Ibsen M (eds) Landslides in research, theory and practice. Thomas Telford, Cardiff, pp 101–106

    Google Scholar 

  • Ayalew L, Vernier A (1999) Causes and mechanisms of slope instability in Dessie town, Ethiopia. In: Yagi N, Yamagami T, Jang J-C (eds) Slope stability engineering. A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam/Brookfield, pp 1181–1186

    Google Scholar 

  • Ayalew L, Yamagishi H (2002) Landsliding and landscape development; the case of northern Ethiopia. In: Proceedings of the international congress intrapraevent 2002, Matsumoto, Japan, pp 595–606

    Google Scholar 

  • Ayalew L, Yamagishi H (2004) Slope failure in the Blue Nile basin, as seen from landscape evolution perspective. Geomorphology 57:95–116

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ayalew L, Yamagishi H, Reik G (2004) Ground cracks in Ethiopian Rift Valley: facts and uncertainties. Eng Geol 75:309–324

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ayele A (1995) Earthquake catalogue of the Horn of Africa for the period 1960–93. Seismology Department, Uppsala, Report 3–95

    Google Scholar 

  • Ayele A (1997) Spatial and temporal variations of seismicity in the Horn of Africa from 1960–1963. Geophys J Int 130:805–810

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ayele A, Jacques E, Kassim M, Kidane T, Omar A, Tait S, Nercessian A, Chabalier J-B, King G (2007) The volcano–seismic crisis in Afar, Ethiopia, starting September 2005. Earth Planet Sci Lett 255:177–187

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ayenew T, Barbieri G (2005) Inventory of landslides and susceptibility mapping in the Dessie area, Northern Ethiopia. Eng Geol 77:1–15

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bastow ID, Keir D, Daly E (2011) The Ethiopia Afar Geoscientific Lithospheric Experiment (EAGLE): probing the transition from continental rifting to incipient seafloor spreading. Geol Soc Am Spec Paper 478:51–76

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Billi P, Dramis F (2001) Recent climatic changes and the spreading of gully erosion in Ethiopia. In: Andah K (ed) Water resources management in a vulnerable environment for sustainable development. UNESCO-IHP-CNR, Grifo Publ, Perugia, pp 131–141

    Google Scholar 

  • Billi P, Dramis F (2003) Geomorphological investigation on gully erosion in the Rift Valley and northern highlands of Ethiopia. Catena 50:353–368

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Billi P, Alemu Y, Ciampalini R (2015) On the increased frequency of flash floods in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia: climate change or human impact?, Natural Hazards, submitted

    Google Scholar 

  • Bishaw B. (2001) Deforestation and land degradation on the Ethiopian Highlands: a strategy for physical recovery. In: International Conference on African Development Archives, Paper 2. http://scholarworks.wmich.edu/africancenter_icad_archive/2

  • Boccaletti M, Bovini M, Mazzuoli R, Abebe B, Piccardi L, Tortorici L (1998) Quaternary oblique extensional tectonics in the Ethiopian Rift (Horn of Africa). Tectonophysics 287:97–116

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brand EW, Premchitt J, Phillipson HB (1984) Relationship between rainfall and landslides in Hong Kong. In: Proceedings of the 4th international symposium on landslides, Toronto, September 17, 1984, vol 1, p 377–384

    Google Scholar 

  • Broothaerts N, Kissi E, Poesen J, Van Rompaey A, Getahun A, Van Ranst E, Diels J (2012) Spatial patterns, causes and consequences of landslides in the Gilgel Gibe catchment, SW Ethiopia. Catena 97:127–136

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chiodo G, Dramis F, Gervasi A, Guerra I, Sorriso-Valvo M (1999) Frane sismo-indotte e pericolosità di sito: primi risultati dello studio degli effetti di forti terremoti storici in Calabria centro-settentrionale. Atti del XVIII Convegno Nazionale GNGTS, Roma, CD-Rom

    Google Scholar 

  • Chorowicz J, Collet B, Bonavia F, Korme T (1999) Left-lateral strike-slip tectonics and gravity induced individualisation of wide continental blocks in the western Afar margin. Eclogae Geol Helv 92:149–158

    Google Scholar 

  • Coltorti M, Pieruccini P, Berakhi O, Dramis F, Asrat A (2009) The geomorphological map of Mt. Amba Aradam southern slope (Tigray, Ethiopia). J Maps 2009:56–65

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cornell CA (1968) Engineering seismic risk analysis. B Seismol Soc Am 18:1583–1606

    Google Scholar 

  • Cotecchia V (1987) Earthquake-prone environments. In: Anderson MG, Richards KS (eds) Slope stability. Wiley, Chichester, pp 287–330

    Google Scholar 

  • Dikau R, Brunsden D, Schrott L, Ibsen ML (eds) (1996) Landslide recognition. Identification movement and causes. Wiley, Chichester

    Google Scholar 

  • Dramis F, Blumetti AM (2005) Some considerations about seismic geomorphology and paleoseismology. Tectonophysics 408:177–191

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dramis F, Sorriso-Valvo M (1994) Deep-seated gravitational slope deformations, related landslides, and tectonics. Eng Geol 38(3–4):231–243

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Engeda S, Kebede A, Tessema E (2011) Notes and proposed guidelines on updated seismic codes in Ethiopia. Implications for large-scale infrastructures. J Eth Eng Arch 28:90–110

    Google Scholar 

  • Ethiopian Institute of Geological Surveys (1994) A report of engineering geological problems of studies of part of the Blue Nile Gorge (Goha Tsion-Dejen). EIGS, Addis Ababa

    Google Scholar 

  • Ethiopian Institute of Geological Surveys (1995) A report on landslide problems of Dessie town. EIGS, Addis Ababa

    Google Scholar 

  • Ethiopian Mapping Authority (1988) National atlas of Ethiopia. Addis Ababa

    Google Scholar 

  • Fairhead JD (1968) The seismicity of the East African rift system 1955 to 1968. MSc Dissertation, University of Newcastle upon Tyne

    Google Scholar 

  • Faure H (1975) Neotectonics in the Afar (Ethiopia, T.F.A.I.). In: Suggate RP, Creswell MM (eds) Quaternary studies. Royal Society of New Zealand, Wellington, pp 121–126

    Google Scholar 

  • FDPPA Federal Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Agency (2007) Regional summary of multi-agency flood impact assessment of 2006. Addis Ababa

    Google Scholar 

  • Fubelli G, Abebe B, Dramis F, Vinci S (2008a) Geomorphological evolution and present-day processes in the Dessie Graben (Wollo, Ethiopia). Catena 75:28–37

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fubelli G, Vinci S, Abebe B, Dramis F (2008b) Cartografia geomorfologica di dettaglio e analisi statistica in ambiente GIS dei processi di versante nel bacino di Dessie (Wollo, Etiopia). Mem Descrittive Carta Geol It 78:92–99

    Google Scholar 

  • Fubelli G, Guida D, Cestari A, Dramis F (2013) Landslide hazard and risk in the Dessie Town area (Ethiopia). In: Margottini C, Canuti P, Sassa K (eds) Landslide science and practice, vol 6. Springer, Berlin, pp 357–361

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Gabet EJ, Burbank DW, Putkonen JK, Pratt-Sitaula BA, Ojha T (2004) Rainfall thresholds for landsliding in the Himalayas of Nepal. Geomorphology 63:131–143

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gamachu D (1977) Aspects of climate and water budget in Ethiopia. Addis Ababa University Press, Addis Ababa

    Google Scholar 

  • Gezahegn A (1998) Slope stability assessment in the Blue Nile Gorge, Ethiopia. In: Proceedings of the 8th international IAEG congress, September 21–25, 1998, Vancouver, Canada, pp 1437–1442

    Google Scholar 

  • Gibson IL (1967) Preliminary account of the volcanic geology of Fentale, Shoa. B Geophys Observ, Addis Ababa 10:59–67

    Google Scholar 

  • Gouin P (1971) Surface cracks and subsidence in Mojo. Report TR-011. Ministry of the Interior, Addis Ababa, 5 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Gouin P (1970) Seismic and gravity data from Afar in relation to surrounding areas. Philos T Roy Soc A 267:339–358

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gouin P (1976) Seismic zoning in Ethiopia. B Geophys Observ, Addis Ababa 7:1–46

    Google Scholar 

  • Gouin P (1979) Earthquake history of Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa. International Development Research Center (IDRC), Ottawa

    Google Scholar 

  • Gouin P, Mohr PA (1967) Recent effects possibly due to tensional separation in the Ethiopian rift system. B Geophy Observ, Addis Ababa 10:69–78

    Google Scholar 

  • Gutenberg B, Richter CF (1954) Seismicity of the Earth and associated phenomena. Princeton University Press, Princeton

    Google Scholar 

  • Hagos AH (2013) Remote sensing and GIS-based mapping on landslide phenomena and landslide susceptibility evaluation of Debresina area (Ethiopia) and Rio San Girolamo basin (Sardinia). Doctoral thesis, University of Cagliari (Italy)

    Google Scholar 

  • Harp EL, Wilson RC, Keefer DK, Wieczorek GF (1986) Seismically induced landslides: current research by the U.S. Geological Survey. In: Proceedings of the international symposium on engineering geology problems in seismic areas, Bari, Italy, vol 2, pp 159–173

    Google Scholar 

  • IDNDR RADIUS Project (1999) Addis Ababa case study, final report, prepared by the Addis Ababa RADIUS Group

    Google Scholar 

  • Ishihara K, Hsu H-L (1986) Landslides in natural slopes during earthquakes. In: Proceedings of the international symposium on engineering geology problems in seismic areas, Bari, Italy, vol 5, p 273–298

    Google Scholar 

  • IUGSWGL-CRA (Working Group on Landslides—Committee on Risk Assessment) (1997) Quantitative risk assessment for slope and landslides—the state of the art. In: Cruden D, Fell R (eds) Landslide risk assessment, Balkema, Rotterdam/Brookfield, pp 3–12

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacques E, Kidane T, Tapponnier P, Manighetti I, Gaudemer Y, Meyer B, Ruegg JC, Audin L, Armijo R (2011) Normal faulting during the August 1989 earthquakes in central Afar: sequential triggering and propagation of rupture along the Dôbi Graben. B Seismol Soc Am 101(3):994–1023

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jbrahim J (2011) Landslide assessment and hazard zonation in Mersa and Wurgessa, north Wollo, Ethiopia. MSc thesis, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

    Google Scholar 

  • Katzmin V (1972) Geological map of Ethiopia. EIGS, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

    Google Scholar 

  • Kebede F (1996) Seismic hazard assessment for the Horn of Africa. In: Proceedings of the Ethiopian Association of Seismology and Earthquake Engineering (EASEE)—workshop on seismic hazard assessment and design of structures for earthquake resistance, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, February 21, 1996, pp 25–38

    Google Scholar 

  • Kebede F, Asfaw LM (1996) Seismic hazard assessment for Ethiopia and the neighboring countries. SINET Eth J Sci 19 (1):15–50

    Google Scholar 

  • Kebede F, van Eck T (1997) Probabilistic seismic hazard assessment for the Horn of Africa based on seismotectonic regionalization. Tectonophysics 270(3–4):137–331

    Google Scholar 

  • Kefyalew A (2003) Integrated flood management. WMO/GWP Associated Programme on Flood Management, Addis Ababa

    Google Scholar 

  • Mammo T (2005) Site-specific ground motion simulation and seismic response analysis at the proposed bridge sites within the city of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Eng Geol 79(3–4):127–150

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moeyersons J, Van Den Eeckhaut M, Nyssen J, Tesfamichael G, Van de Wauw J, Hofmeister J, Poesen J, Deckers J, Mitiku H (2008) Mass movement mapping for geomorphological understanding and sustainable development: Tigray, Ethiopia. Catena 75:45–54

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mohr PA (1962) The geology of Ethiopia. Addis Ababa University College Press, Addis Ababa

    Google Scholar 

  • Mohr PA (1967) The Ethiopian rift system. B Geophys Observ Addis Ababa 11:1–65

    Google Scholar 

  • Mohr P (1986) Sequential aspects of the tectonic evolution of Ethiopia. Mem Soc Geol It 31:447–461

    Google Scholar 

  • Nyblade AA, Langston CA (2002) Broadband seismic experiments probe the East African Rift. EOS Trans AGU 83(405):408–409

    Google Scholar 

  • Nyssen J, Moeyersons J, Poesen J, Deckers J, Mitiku H (2002) The environmental significance of the remobilisation of ancient mass movements in the Atbara-Tekeze headwaters, Northern Ethiopia. Geomorphology 49:303–322

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nyssen J, Poesen J, Moeyersons J, Deckers J, Mitiku H, Lange A (2003) Human impact on the environment in the Ethiopian and Eritrean highlands—a state of the art. Earth Sci Rev 64:273–320

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Panza GF, Vaccari F, Costa G, Suhadolc P, Fäh D (1996) Seismic input modelling for zoning and microzoning. Earthq Spectra 12:529–566

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sparks S, Aspinall W, Auker M, Crosweller S, Hincks T, Mahony S, Nadim F, Pooley J, Syre E (2012) Mapping and characterizing volcanic risk. In: Abstracts of the magmatic rifting and active volcanism conference, Addis Ababa, January 11–13, 2012

    Google Scholar 

  • Suyum GM (2011) Landslide mapping assessment using GIS techniques in Dessie area, Northern Ethiopia. Unpublished Master thesis, Universiteit Gent-Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium

    Google Scholar 

  • Sykes LR, Landisman M (1964) The seismicity of East Africa, the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian and Red Seas. B Seismol Soc Am 54:1927–1940

    Google Scholar 

  • Tadesse Y (2012) Socioeconomic impacts of flooding in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia: flood triggering factors, social, infrastructural and economic impacts of flooding. LAP—Lambert Academic Publishing, Saarbrücken

    Google Scholar 

  • Tefera M, Chernet T, Haro W (1996) Explanation of the geological map of Ethiopia, 2nd edn. EIGS, Addis Ababa

    Google Scholar 

  • Temesgen B, Umer M, Asrat A, Berakhi O, Ayele A, Dramis F (1999) Landslide hazard on the Debicho, Wendo Genet area: the case of June 18, 1996 event. SINET Eth J Earth Sci 22:127–140

    Google Scholar 

  • Temesgen B, Umer M, Korme T (2001) Natural hazard assessment using GIS and remote sensing methods, with particular reference to the landslides in the Wondogenet Area, Ethiopia. Phys Chem Earth PT C 26(9):665–675

    Google Scholar 

  • Terefe K (2001) Engineering geological mapping and landslide assessment of Dessie town. MSc thesis, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa

    Google Scholar 

  • Ukstins IA, Renne PR, Wolfenden E, Baker J, Ayalew D, Menzies M (2002) Matching conjugate rifted margins: 40Ar/39Ar chrono-stratigraphy of pre- and syn-rift bimodal flood volcanism in Ethiopia and Yemen. Earth Planet Sci Lett 198:289–306

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Varnes DJ (1978) Slope movements types and processes. In: Schuster RL, Krizek RJ (eds) Landslides, analysis and control. Transportation Research Board, Special Report, vol 176, National Academy of Sciences, Washington DC, pp 11–33

    Google Scholar 

  • Weldegiorgis H (2008) Landslide hazard zonation mapping in Blue Nile gorges. MSc thesis, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams FM, Williams MAJ, Aumento F (2004) Tensional fissures and crustal extension rates in the northern part of the Main Ethiopian Rift. J Afr Earth Sci 38:183–197

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Woldearegay K (2005) Rainfall-triggered landslides in the northern highlands of Ethiopia: characterization, GIS-based prediction and mitigation. PhD thesis, Graz University of Technology

    Google Scholar 

  • Woldearegay K, Riedmueller G, Schubert W, Mogessie A (2004) Controlling parameters and failure mechanisms of a large-scale landslide in Ethiopia. Felsbau 22(3):46–55

    Google Scholar 

  • Worku A (2011) Recent developments in the definition of design earthquake ground motion. Calling for a revision of the current Ethiopian seismic code. EBCS 8: 1995. J Eth Eng Arch 28:1–15

    Google Scholar 

  • Yoseph B, Ramana G (2008) Probabilistic seismic hazard analysis at selected sites in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Int J Geotech Eng 2(2008):129–141

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Youd TL (1978) Major cause of earthquake damage is ground failure. Civil Eng 48(4):47–51

    Google Scholar 

  • Zvelebil J, Šíma J, Vilímek V (2010) Geo-risk management for developing countries—vulnerability to mass wasting in the Jemma River Basin, Ethiopia. Landslides 7(1):99–103

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sciences, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy

    Giandomenico Fubelli & Francesco Dramis

Authors
  1. Giandomenico Fubelli
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Francesco Dramis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Giandomenico Fubelli .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

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

    Paolo Billi

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2015 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Fubelli, G., Dramis, F. (2015). Geo-hazard in 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_20

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation