Proceedings, 8th African Rift Geothermal Conference Nairobi, Kenya: 2 – 8 November 2020 Comparative Study of Petrography and Hydrothermal Alteration Mineralogy Between the Lake-Assal, Djibouti and the Hatchobaru, Japan Geothermal Fields Holeh Mohamed Awaleh1, Thomas Thindell2, Kotaro Yonezu2 1 Djiboutian Office for Geothermal Energy Development ODDEG, PK20, Djibouti 2 Department of Earth Resources Engineering, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, JAPAN Djiboutian Office for Geothermal Energy Development ODDEG, PK20, Djibouti Email:
[email protected] Keywords: Lake Assal, Otake-Hatchobaru. XRD, XRF, Thin section, hydrothermal alteration mineral. ABSTRACT Lake Assal is located in the east of the Afar depression, at an altitude of 155 meters below sea level, making it the lowest point on the African Continent. It is separated from Ghoubhet-el- Kharab, which is the extension of the Gulf of Aden via the Gulf of Tadjourah, by the Ardoukoba volcano, which last erupted from November 1978. Fourteen samples were analysed by XRD, to identify clay minerals, and XRF to identify to chemical constituents. Bulk samples analysis showed plagioclase, forsterite, fayalite, chl/Sme, Illt/sme and hematite. In Addition, thin Section observation of two samples from Assal and one sample Otake-Hatchobaru. The Otake- Hatchobaru geothermal field is located in the northwest of Kuyju volcano, Japan. Advanced argilic alterations zones composed of alunite, Cristobalite, and kaolin are developed due to the alteration by steam-heated waters. 1. Introduction Lake-Assal is located in central part of Djibouti. Three major extensional structures: occur in the area, namely the Red Sea, the East African rift and the Gulf of Aden join forming the "Afar Depression”.