Fig. 6
From: Aborted propagation of the Ethiopian rift caused by linkage with the Kenyan rift
Numerical modelling of rift interaction in the Turkana depression. a Initial depth distribution of the 1300 °C isotherm and the Moho. Three distinct model domains are labelled as follows: P: Plateaus; R: Ethiopian and Kenyan rifts; T: Turkana depression. b Geotherms (top axis, red lines) and yield strength profiles (bottom axis, black lines) in the different model domains. Yield strengths have been computed for the initial bulk extension rate of the models, i.e. 2.7×10−16 1/s, in the different domains. c Evolution of the deformation pattern illustrated as second invariant of strain rate at different amounts of bulk extension. Note the progressive narrowing of deformation in the Turkana depression for increasing extension; in the latest stages of rifting, extension is strongly localised within a continuous narrow region of strain connecting the offset major rift segments. d Evolution of model surface topography; white bars show the direction of the minimum horizontal stress (local direction of extension). Semi-transparent strain rate field is shown for reference. Note the dominant WNW-ESE orientation of the minimum horizontal stress in the oblique (roughly NE-SW trending) transfer zone, which deviates from the imposed roughly E-W plate motion. ER: Ethiopian rift; KR: Kenyan rift; TE and TK indicate the overlapping tips of the Ethiopian and Kenyan rift valleys, respectively; also shown are the regions approximately corresponding to the Gofa Province, Lake Turkana basin and Ririba rift
