Tectonics in the Gulf of Tadjura

During two “Valdivia” cruises, 1971 and 1972, bathymetric and geologic studies have been made at the junction between the Gulf of Aden and the Afar rift systems, namely in the Gulf of Tadjura and the nearly closed basin of the Ghubbet el Kharab (western end of the Gulf of Aden). A predominantly east-northeast striking fracture zone determines the morphologic structure of the central part of the gulf. The western end of the Gulf of Tadjura, including the Ghubbet el Kharab, is characterized by northwest striking normal faults.Up to 40 m thick subrecent sediments of the Ghubbet, mainly composed of diatoms, clay minerals, and volcanic glass, are already affected by a system of normal faults.