Alpha Eritrean Engineers Magazine

AUGUST 2015
VOL 6 NO. 2

A TIMELINE HISTORY OF GEOPHYSICS IN ERITREA

A MESSAGE FROM ONE OF THE EDITORS

LIST OF ENGINEERING OPPORTUNITIES
AEEC | October 2011

AEEC

CONTENTS AND CONTRIBUTORS

EDITORS

A TIMELINE HISTORY OF GEOPHYSICS IN

ERITREA

SEBLE GEBREMEDHIN, M.S. IN PSYCHOLOGY

DR. ADIAM WOLDEGERGISH, PH.D IN
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

HENOK T. TEWELDE

A MESSAGE FROM ONE OF THE EDITORS

SAMUEL FESSEHAYE, B.A. IN

ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

FILIPOS ABRAHAM

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

FILIPOS ABRAHAM, M.S, IN

SOFTWARE ENGINEERING AND

Y OSIEF W OLDEMARIAM &

F ILIPOS A BRAHAM

YOSIEF WOLDEMARIAM, B.A. IN

ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

Electrical

Civil

Engineering

Mechanical

Chemical

AEEC | August 2015

A Message from one of the editors

When I was a little boy my desire to be the best amongst of my peer was strong as is in most of childhood
friends. Back then, I did not realized the ingredients of success or what make one successful in whatever life
journey he or she takes. As time went by, I came to understand that we all have a magic aspiration to have
successful life. It is our unshakeable commitment to achieve our dreams that drives us to get to the stage of
success whatever that may be. No matter where we find ourselves, I believe that this commitment is always
inside and waiting to be tapped, however, without the commitment many of us struggle to maintain our daily
life. So how do we tap commitment? How do we get the sprite out of our own magic desire so success can
happen for us?
To succeed in life we need unwavering commitment and passion. These two together make the key
ingredients to flourish and be successful! If there is not enough of both present in our life, chances to succeed
are substantially reduced.
Passion is extremely good driving force, but do not let the tail to wag the dog. Too much passion can make
you blind to a number of things around you. As in love, without commitment, too much passion does not
create lasting relationships. Being passionate does not cost you that much. It is the strength of your
commitment what makes your goal in life attainable, thereby make you a happy person. Dedication is the
corner stone when things goes bad or good to get you to your final destination successfully.
Commitment is needed to succeed. Without real commitments, be it good companies or solid family cannot
built. Commitment is your interior. It is hard to get in, takes time to learn and it is not that tangible. For an
outsider, commitment is hard to differentiate from passion. As I mentioned I am passionate about family
relation and I am committed for me that means that I want to develop myself and my vision about solid family
continuously. I am ready to challenge myself to be better tomorrow. Commitment can be expensive. To commit,
you have to give up something else you need to prioritize.
Some people may be happy living life with no commitments and no relationships, but Im convinced those
relationships without commitments are just temporary fixes. I dont believe that anyone can truly be content
with that lifestyle. Maybe youre happy now, but each relationship will be less and less satisfying until you
eventually realize how soulless and disassociated from humanity youve become.
If youre anything like most people Ive met, youre very competitive. Competition is natural for us because
were sophisticated animals and it is part of our nature to be in competition with each other. We will always be
on this life-long pursuit of something better, whether its by traveling, a new career path, a new significant
other, or even a change in lifestyle.
You dont always need to drop one thing in exchange for the other; you can travel with a significant other or
you can change your lifestyle by pursuing a new career. Ultimately, commitments dont have to be treated like
trading cards. You may think theres someone out there whos better than what you have but the same goes for
them. That person chose you so dont be an ass and drop them when you think you can upgrade.
Everyone I know, including me, has self-prescribed anxiety and we all believe that there are deep-rooted issues
that cause us to have commitment issues or which create the anxiety that causes us to end things before they
begin. We all have experiences and the past is a significant factor in how we conduct ourselves in the present
or future. Experiences work like shock therapy; you get burned enough times and you naturally become
conditioned to stop doing it.

To live and die

without knowing
what you could be is
worse than death
itself, therefore
throw yourself at
your dream with all
your strength and
commit to it and
only then that you
will see you are fully
living TD Jakes
together is a
beginning.
Keeping together is
progress.
Working together is
IN LIFE
THE
success.

MOST
IMPORTANT
WEAPON IS
COMMITMENT
TO YOUR
FAMILY, WORK
AND
GENERALLY
YOUR LIFE.
~ Henry Ford~

Dont put off committing to anything including someone tolling you to wait. Regret is something a lot of people
experience every day and time is something you cant ever get back, so why waste it because you told yourself
that you had time? Time doesnt wait for you, so dont wait for it.
Sincerely yours,
Filipos Abraham

AEEC | August 2015

A Timeline History of Geophysics in Eritrea

A My name is Henok Tewelde and I was born and raised in

E Asmara, Eritrea. Growing up I had a passion for science
E
and technology. While in Eritrea,
M
due to my limited resources I found
myself having to acquire much of
~
my knowledge from books and the
A
multimedia.
E
After graduating with a Bachelors of
E
Science degree in physics and
M
geology at University of Asmara in 1998 I began working
~ at the Water Resource Department. Working within the
A department broadened my knowledge of the geosciences
E particularly with the emphasis of practical application in a
E field environment and I eventually became the
M departments geophysics leader. Our departments main
focus was on exploration geophysics which gave me a
~
broad base of experience in this discipline. While Eritrea
A
does not have a Masters program in Geophysics I
E
continued my quest for higher learning and level of
E
education by taking online courses until I had achieved
M
where I wanted to be. During this time my thoughts were
~ on the future geophysicist in my country and the hurdles
A they would have to cross. Thus, I decided to write a book in
E exploration geophysics based on the Eritrean geological
E context to help future generations in the study of
M geophysics.

~ The term of geophysics was probably first used in

A
E
E
M

~
A
E
E
M

Germany, where it appeared in scientific writings of the

mid-19th century. The word geophysics was first used by
Frbel as "geophysik" in 1834. Gilberts discovery that the
earth behaves as a great and rather irregular magnet and
Newtons theory of gravitation may be said to constitute
the beginning of geophysics. Mining and the search for
metals date from the earliest time, but the scientific record
began with publication in 1556 of the famous treatise

AEEC | August 2013

De re metallica by Georgius Agricola, which for many years

was the authoritative work in mining. The initial step in
applying geophysics to the search for minerals probably
was taken in 1843, when Von Wrede pointed out that the
magnetic thedolite, used by Lamont to measure variations
in the earths magnetic field, might also be employed to
discover bodies of magnetic ore. However, this idea was
not acted on until the publication in 1879 in Professor
Robert Thalens book on the Examination of Iron Ore
Deposits by Magnetic Methods. The Thalen-Tiberg is a
magnetometer manufactured in Sweden, and later the
Thomson-Thalen instrument, furnished the means of
locating the strike, dip and depth below surface of
magnetic dikes (Telford, Geldart and Sheriff Applied
Geophysics 1990).
As the name implies, geophysics is a branch of earth
science that studies the physics of the earth, planets and its
atmosphere. It is divided into two major scientific broad
fields: Solid Earth Geophysics and Exploration Geophysics.
Each field is further branched into many arrays of subdisciplines. Solid earth geophysics (also known as global
geophysics) comes up with global variables depending on
physical and chemical properties of the earth including
Seismology ,Volocanology ,Geodesy , Tectonophysics ,
Geomagnetics , Geothermy , Geoelectric , Gravimetry etc.,
whereas exploration geophysics (also known as applied
geophysics) yields local variables based on the physics and
chemistry of the earth. Some of the examples are Hydrogeophysics, Hydrocarbon geophysics, Geothermal
geophysics, Mining geophysics, Engineering geophysics,
Archeological geophysics, Environmental geophysics.
Geophysics plays a pivotal role in using subsurface
treasures wisely and equitably, it greatly sub-serves as a
source of complementary science to all earth sciences as
Well as to the field of Construction Engineering in the

33

safety of building infrastructures.

Therefore, one can speculate that a discipline such as

Geophysics could help in maximizing economic growth and
development in an environmentally friendly manner. It
introduces ecological balancing factors into the equation of
feasibility studies for the advancement of all human kind.
~ Therefore, in order for the Water Resources DepartmentA Geophysics Unit (WRD-GU) to be an efficient subsidiary to
E other sectors of the country, these main goals have to be
E met. Encouraging high professional standing, scientific
M excellence, and skills required to expand into new
disciplines and services.
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The main factors to enhance geophysical activities are to

upgrade the level of accuracy (to progress with rapid
change in technology) and the level of precision (to
increase the ability of personnel involved in the field of
geophysics) in the geophysical carriers.

Current meter

The geophysical instruments available in WRD are based

on principles of physics to predict the possible geological
layers and fluid dynamics of the earth constituents. These
principles are described below chronologically in their
respective geophysical methods:

1. Electrical methods

A primitive instrument was used relative to the cutting

edge now due to increasing in Artificial Intelligence (AI)
and machine learning. These in turn increase the actual
processing and restoring of their memory for the main CPU
~ of the geophysical instrument. Therefore, the old
A traditional instrument was DCRES200 Terrameter
E manufactured by South African Red Dog Scientific Services.
Spontaneous potential is manually compensated (Where
E
as nowadays auto-compensators are used for the natural
M voltage). This instrument has two different units that
measure the potential and the current injected down into
~ the earth, then the geophysicist himself calculates the
A earth resistance. This instrument was introduced in the
E WRD-GU at the end of 1995 (5ii88). See figure1 below.
E
M

AEEC | August 2015

Volt meter
Figure1. Terrameter DCRES200
In electrical method, the geophysicists worked with this
type of instruments until 1999. In 1999, an upgraded
version was purchased from ABEM Sweden. This
instrument was called SAS 300B (Signal Averaging System
300B). In 2000, it was again upgraded into SAS 300C. This
instrument had auto-compensator therefore there was no
need to make nullification by the geophysicists. Moreover,
the instrument itself calculates the earth resistance.

However if the Terrarmeter becomes agitated by highly

~ resistive geological materials like loose sand for example
A a booster has to be connected with the main instrument to
E alleviate the dissipative work done by the flow of charges
E or current from its transmitter to energize and harness the
output of the current density due to the electric field or
M
equi-potential surfaces. Then finally, to be interpreted into
possible geological outcomes based on the electrical
~ properties of the earth at different data levels. The SAS
A 300C is shown below in figure2:
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Figure3. Terrameter CampusOhmega

In 2006 Professor Antonio Galgaro, a friend, leading
scientist in predicting the submerging vertical velocity of
the Venezia island and president of the geophysical
institution in Padua University Italy donated the WRD-GU
a TessaII type of instrument which he designed and named
after his wife. It is shown below in figure4:

~
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~
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Figure2. Terrameter SAS 300C
E
E
In 2004, the geophysics unit in WRD introduced Campus
M
Ohmega a Terrameter made in England. This is an
~ authentic instrument which has a versatile CPU embedded
in the instrument. If the electrode selector is purchased a
A
E 2D and 3D resistivity and IP (Induced Polarization Method
E part of the electrochemical activity) can be measured at the
M same time along with lapse resistivity and IP. Therefore, it
is so easy to depict the spatial and temporal variation of the
~ electrical properties of the earth. The instrument is shown
A below in figure3:
E
E
M

AEEC | August 2015

Figure4. Terrameter TessaII

Comments & Suggestions

Page

Thank you for sharing with me the June issue of Alpha Eritrean Engineers
Magazine.
I believe it is a good start to a well needed magazine. I enjoyed the inspiring
article as well your attempt to connect those who need jobs to the job opening
opportunities.

A
E
E
C

Engineer Daniel

Brain experience on Days in a month question answer:

Question:
Some months have thirty (30) days and some months have thirty-one (31)
days. How many months have twenty-eight (28) days?
Answer:
The answer is all 12 months have 28 days. It is true only February has 28
days however, the rest of the months have either 30 or 31 days which
means they already have 28 days and more.

ALPHA ERITREAN ENGINEERS

At the end of 2006 a brand new SAS 1000 ABEM

terrameter, which serves 2D and 3D resistivity, IP (induced
polarization) and SP (spontaneous potential) was
AEEC | August 2015

~ purchased. This instrument is with a variety of of the earth affects resistivity, IP and SP. The Terrameter

symmetrical and asymmetrical electrical geometrical LS (see figure6) can show preliminary results on the
A
arrays of electrode configuration. The various geometrical instruments monitor and has all the Microsoft offices, pdf
E
E earth constants may be used for different purposes such as (portable document format).
M in depicting speedy economic particle flows, viscous
economic particle flow, static economic grains and all
~ safety variables in engineering and environment. A
A separate electrode selector that can be connected to the
E terrameter is called ES464 as shown in figure5.
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A Figure5. Terrameter SAS 1000 with its corresponding ES

464
E
E
In 2012, a highly portable brand new Terrameter LS was
M
purchased from ABEM. This instrument is all in both the
~ Terrameter and electrode selector which are in one
A console. Moreover, if wide area network is available the
E field geophysicist can directly send the raw data from the
E field to the office geophysicist in the city. At the same time,
M it has many other different features. In short, it is a highly
sophisticated gadget that measures the electrical behavior
~ of the earth.
A
E The higher order accuracy is needed due to various
E mineralogical compositions of the geological features of
M rocks, soils, clay content and fluid content of the subsurface

AEEC | August 2015

Figure6. Terrameter LS

2. Electromagnetic methods
In 1997 WRD geophysics unit purchased ABEM WADI
instrument in order to serve for shallow investigation
purposes. This type of instrument measures total
Very Low Frequency (VLF) with real and the
imaginary components of the wave for an
electromagnetic band. This type of EM method is
passive geophysical survey because it has only a
receiver and the transmission of the electromagnetic
band galvanic sheet current that come to the target
area is disseminated by the developed countries for
their own different purposes.

In 1998, the WRD-GU purchased Time Domain

Electromagnetic Method (TDEM) protom type TEM-57 and
TEM-67 instruments from GEONICS. This instrument is
ideal in distinguishing seawater to fresh water interface. At
the same time, it is good for deep targets of investigations.
In 2012, a new version with GPS capability and advanced
sophisticated features was purchased from Terratem
Australian geophysical industry.

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~
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Figure7. ABEM WADI, VLF instrument
E
E In 1998, the WRD-GU purchased EM-34-3 type of
M instrument from GEONICS to measure the distribution of
conductivity of subsurface soils and rocks using FDEM
~ (Frequency Domain electromagnetic Method).
A
E This serves for shallow investigation purposes. In 2012, an
E updated version EM-34-3 was purchased. This newer
M version had a GPS embedded in the instrument that tell us
the geographical coordinates of the location for the data
~ acquisition point with respect to prime meridian, equator
A and altitude of the earth.
E
E
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Figure 9. TDEM instrument

In 2012, the WRD-GU purchased an instrument
Magnetotelluric/Audio
Magnetotelluric
(MT/AMT)
instrument from PHONIX a Canadian geophysical industry.
This instrument has the capability to measures from the
shallowest to the deepest part of the earths crust with all
the geographical coordinates and synchronized clock
relative to the place of investigation. Depth varies as a
function of frequency. It is a passive method where the
source is uncontrolled due to the ionosphere affects the
subsurface induce telluric currents. This instrument is also
helpful for solid earth geophysicists because its depth of
penetration can reach down to the mantle. See figure10.

Figure8. EM-34 FDEM instrument

AEEC | August 2015

This is due to high magnetic polarization of

ferromagnesian minerals. An updated version of this
instrument was provided to WRD-GU in 2012.

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Figure 10. MT/AMT instrument
E
M 3. Magnetic methods

~ In 1997 GSM-19 type of Magnetometer from GEM Canadian

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company arrived to Asmara WRD geophysics unit see

figure11. This instrument measures total magnetic field of
the earth. The magnetic anomaly is created by the
magnetic field of the earth and the causative geological
body.

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Figure 11. GSM-19 Overhauser Magnetometer

In 2006, a magnetometer, which can measure a VLF at the
same time, came from a Canadian Company Scintrix. This
Envimag type of instrument measures both magnetic
method and electromagnetic method at the same time. It
needs tie point, loop point or base station correction for the
data. Transmitted EM energy of the VLF field from
developed countries may cause the magnetic method to be
affected by a diurnal variation upon the raw data. The
instrument is shown in figure12 below:

ALPHA ERITREAN ENGINEERS MAGAZINE

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AUGUST 2015 ISSUE

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AEEC | August 2015

software is externally commanding it. This is done by

connecting a laptop using RAS24 seistronix software.

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Figure12. Envimag type of VLF embedded magnetometer
M

~ 4. Seismic methods

Figure14. RAS24 Seismograph

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In 1997, a seismograph from GEOMETRICS, a San Jose, In 2012, highly sophisticated and updated type of
California company, delivered to Asmara WRD-GU. This seismograph was purchased from ABEM as shown in the
geophysics equipment is ideal for engineering geophysics figure below:
purpose. Hence, the instrument enabled to measure
seismic reflection and refraction surveys based on the
~ subsurface density and elasticity of rocks and soils. In
2005, from GEOMETRICS highly sophisticated instruments
A
such as Strataviso and Geode types of seismographs were
E purchased.
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Figure13. Smartseis and Geode GEOMETRICS

seismographs.

A
E Actually, the same seismograph was brought from ABEM
E which was the same as Geode. The data acquisition
M

AEEC | August 2015

Figure 15. Terraloc-pro Seismograph

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5. Gravity methods
In this type of geophysical method, the gravity meter
measures the variation of earths gravitation variation.
This is due to density of rocks, soils and fluids of the earth,
shape of the earth, geomorphological variation and depth
of the causative body. In 2006 a Sodin type of gravimeter
was purchased from a Canadian company. See figure16
below:

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Figure 17. Radiometric instrument.

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Figure 16. Sodin type of gravimeter

6. Radiometric methods

~ Radiometric surveys are less widely used than the other

geophysical methods as they seek a very specific target.

Probably the most common application of radiometric
techniques is in geophysical borehole logging. Radiometric
surveying is employed in the search for deposits necessary
for this application, and also for non-radioactive deposits
associated with radioactive elements such as titanium and
~ zirconium. Radiometric surveys are used in geological
A mapping as different rock types can be recognized from
E their distinctive radioactive signatures. At least 20
E naturally occurring elements are now known to be
M radioactive, but only uranium (U), thorium (Th), and an
isotope of potassium (K) are important in exploration
~ geophysics because most radioactive signature rock
A forming minerals have the three isotopes.
E
In 2006, the WRD geophysics unit bought from MOUNT
E SOPRIS Denver, United States.
M
A
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AEEC | August 2015

Deploying all the instruments above, we used and were

able to cultivate geophysical raw data by the methods
mentioned. However, the data are ambiguous due to noises
that are embedded with the raw data. Henceforth, in order
to rectify its knowledge mathematical algorithms and
mathematical filters are highly essential. There are two
types of noises; these are the random noise and the
coherent noise. The random noise is the cultural noises like
buried metal, high power electric transmission, buried
plastics, ditches etc that may detract the path of induced
currents which distort the shape of the equipotential
surfaces. The coherent noise is embedded in our main raw
data for example the surface waves in seismic methods
(Rayleigh wave, love wave, stonely etc.) superimposed to
the P and S waves. Sometimes due to high anisotropic ratio
(lateral and radial variations of the geophysical
parameters ratio), an equivalence problem (different
models in the interpretation software can fit the same
geological configuration) can occur. Therefore, to increase
the signal to noise ratio we need signal/data processing.
Thats why, data processing in geophysics needs advanced
mathematical techniques to avoid the unnecessary noises
blended with our main data. Then further interpretation
techniques are needed after processing either using or
based on the concept of both geology and physics.

11

The creativity, ingenuity and originality of Civil engineering at its best!

Eritrea purely magnificent

Listed below are a few samples of geophysical

interpretations using the variety of geophysical techniques
in Eritrea:
12 are
| August
2015
A AEEC
land
of Glorious
mountain road where ordinary people
born, train, paddle and elevated to kingship on the world
stage.

~
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a. Groundwater geophysical study in Alla valley using

Electrical and electromagnetic method in the year
2004.The
following
figures
shows
the
interpretation of high to low conductivity anomaly
using electromagnetic method varying the
frequency to increase depth by using the 20 and 40
both horizontal and vertical dipoles.

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Figure18. Superposition of 1D - FDEM electromagnetic method

Based on the electromagnetic anomaly further electrical

methods have been carried out to depict the shape of the Alla
valley bedrock profile. It helps to calculate aquifer thickness
that serves to set hydrogeological parameters. Mathematical
~
groundwater flow modeling has been set to calculate the
A
hydraulic conductivity and transmissivity coefficients of the
E
aquifer. The geophysical study played a great role in
E predicting the thickness of the overburden and the weathered
M granite, terrain slope of the massive bedrock and local
groundwater flow pattern as shown in the figure19 below.

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Figure19. Bedrock profile of Alla valley using

electrical methods
b. Example of environmental geophysics using TDEM
and Resistivity:
In this example, the environmental geophysical
study has the biggest role in defining the seawater
intrusion in order to save the Beilul coastal village
from evacuating in the next five decades. This
study was completed in 2003.

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Engineer Kibrom and Henok during Alpha event

AEEC | August 2015

Figure20. TDEM of Survey in Beilul aquifer

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DEPTH (m)

Northing (UTM)

c. Example of Engineering geophysical surveys:

Engineering geophysical study around Gedem cement
This depict the massive and competent shallow factory enabled us to identify the foundation and bearing
bedrock in order to attain the magnitude of bearing capacity of the soil during construction of the factory.
and loading capacity. To assure the existence and
GEDEM TOP SOIL PROFILE
orientation of geological structures that may
1715350
hamper construction of a dam around Afhimbol
1715300
area a geostatistcal analysis was conducted that
enabled us to calculate the increment of slope
1715250
height that may lead to fatigue and..settlement.
1715200

1715150

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12.5
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11.5
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10.5
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9.5
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1715100

1715050

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1714950

1714900

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561517

561573

561629

Easting (UTM)

Average velocity in this layer is about 348 m/s.

Figure 21. 3D-magnetic survey in Afhimbol in

2009

Figure22. Contour map of seismic refraction around

Gedem in the year 2007

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AEEC

BE A PART OF
IT

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IT CONNECTS

IT INFORMS

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IT SHARES EXPERIENCES

AEEC | August 2015

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d. To study the impact of hydrostatic pressure in the quake a preliminary qualified guess can be drawn. Above
mining engineering design of the Bisha mining in 98% the factors that cause earthquakes are internal in
the year 2010.
origin. Even if, we have gravitational forces from moon,
other planets and celestial bodies are continually
deforming the earth. It is insignificant from the perspective
of an earthquake. The earth scientists and especially the
seismologists are immensely experienced on experiments,
theories (for example drift of continents), earth
philosophies, Wisconsin cycle and so on. They strongly
believe in the upper core part of the earth where high
density liquid exists. Hence, due to the convective and
adventive magmatic cells of the high density liquid that
drives a certain force to the upper mantle, which in turn
energy is generated in the astenosphere. This has plasticity
characteristics and compensation is under taken with
roots of the crust and anti-roots of the mantle into the crust
Figure23. Integrated geophysical study over the and especially into oceanic crust. So, nature is counter
balancing itself all the time to keep its own equilibrium.
Bisha mining envelope
You might have heard about the plate tectonics that lead us
Looking at the above samples interpreted geophysical to subduction processes, sea floor spreading and creation
information the reader can understand that competence of of the oceanic ridges. The plate tectonics is mainly due to
a geophysicist principally depends on the following traits: the oscillation of the astenosphere that causes it to break
up the lithosphere. According to UPSeis who are an
Knowledge of his/her subject matter.
educational site for budding seismologists, earthquakes
Mastery of Physics, Geology and Mathematics.
Flexible in using the principles of geostatistics to are usually caused when rock underground suddenly
attain the processed data, which reflects the real breaks along a fault. This sudden release of energy causes
the seismic waves that make the ground shake. When two
situation of the field.
Expert knowledge in setting field set up slabs of rock or two plates are rubbing against each other,
parameters,
processing
parameters
and they stick a little. They do not just slide smoothly; the rocks
interpretation measures.
catch on each other. The rocks are still pushing against
Essential skills of computer techniques.
each other, but not moving. After a while, the rocks break
That is why highly skilled geophysicists are needed to because of all the pressure that has built up. When the
increase the level of precision that the probability of rocks break, the earthquake occurs. During the earthquake
interpretation becomes close to reality. Therefore, human and afterward, the plates or blocks of rock start moving,
resources assignments in the WRD are sought and needed and they continue to move until they are stuck again. The
with major either in physics and minor geology or vice spot underground where the rock breaks is called
versa.
the focus of the earthquake. The place right above the
How do earthquakes happen? Moreover looking at the focus (on top of the ground) is called the epicenter of the
solid earth geophysics versus East African rift system and earthquake. On September 18, 2013 an earthquake struck

AEEC | August 2015

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AEEC

AEEC

Engineers wish and A Genie

A hardware engineer, software engineer and program manager had a morning
customer meeting. After leaving the customer's office, they come across an old brass
lantern in the parking lot. One of them picks up the lantern and rubs it. A genie
appears. Seeing the three men, he offers each one wish.
The software engineer answers first. "I want a yacht in the Caribbean with an allwomen crew." Poof, the software engineer disappears.
Next, the hardware engineer speaks up. "I want an all-women motorcycle gang,
cruising the southwest." Poof, he disappears.
Finally, the genie then turns to the program manager and asks, "What would you like?"
The program manager looks at his watch and replies, "I want them both back by 2 pm

http://www.edn.com/electronics-blogs/

AEEC | August 2015

16

AEEC ~ AEEC ~ AEEC ~ AEEC ~ AEEC ~ AEEC ~ AEEC ~ AEEC ~ AEEC ~ AEEC ~ AEEC ~

AEEC ~ AEEC ~ AEEC ~ AEEC ~ AEEC ~ AEEC ~ AEEC ~ AEEC ~ AEEC ~ AEEC ~ AEEC ~

. Sense of humor from engineers prospective

Eritrea with a magnitude measured 5.0 on the Richter scale We know from physics this is a wave equation. This is how

~ at a depth of 9.8Km. On the basis of the above conceptual the wave is forming in the crust of the earth but with its
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logic from UPSeis I presume perhaps the fault corridor

around Redsea coastline might have differential slipping
that could cause the earthquake. To see how these stresses
are changed into waves like the P-waves (longitudinal
waves that is only due to dilatational or compressional
tensions). Whereas the S-waves (transversal waves) less in
velocity magnitude than P-waves are due to tangential
forces / shear forces and they never pass through liquids.
Thats why P-waves are the first arrivals in our
seismograph. Let me make very generic mathematical
aspects of it:
2
2 2

simplest version of it. Finally, we shall try to know the

difference between risk management and disaster
management.
Risk. Management
Disaster. Management

Scientific and technical studies

Emergency response studies

Risk management group need scientifically capable

experts that can draft master plans for earthquakes, floods,
and landslides with hi-tech state of the art equipment and
tools that help their entire study. Personnel in the risk
management field have to be experts in proactive
measures. Whereas disaster management personnel are
acting in reactive measures, meaning that they study on
Where = dilation, K= bulk modulus and = rigidity how to mitigate disasters.
modulus
On July 3, 2013, I was in Kampala during this earthquake
From classical mechanics; Newtons 2nd law of motion the at an internet caf, when a moderate magnitude
product of density and acceleration is pretty much known earthquake happened about 70Km epicenter distance
that it is unbalanced force per volume. So this force per from Kampala, measured 5.7 on the Richter scale and at a
volume of the rock masses is directly related to the second 9.8Km depth in Lake Albert. Lake Albert is located in the
order derivative of the tensile stresses or dilations over the boundary of Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo and
happening area. Therefore, from mathematics we know South Sudan. The tables began to shake; the computers
that in order proportional to be equal it needs to have were rocking back and forth and at that moment I knew an
proportionality of constant but in our case it has physical earthquake had hit. After the earthquake, some scientists
meaning we call it the axial modulus which is the sum of predicted insignificantly that the cause could have a root
bulk modulus and four third of rigidity modulus.
network on the tectenophysics impact of the eastern triple
junction due to trans-tension effect. The triple junction is
2
2
the tension pull between three tectonic plates. These are
2 = k 4 / 3
t
the Nubian plate (Somalia plate), Arabian plate and Indian
Ocean plate. In my reading on the internet, a few different
k 4 / 3
2
observations and predictions were told. However, the
Let VP
strong debaters were saying, it is due to dynamic effects of

..
geological structures around Lake Albert itself. Having
studied the rift through Eritrea, as part of this triple
So VP is the velocity of the P-waves.
junction there could be a reason to believe some seismic
activity started along this rift area. To quantify each
1 2
2

parameters and dynamic variables using some numerical

2
2
VP t
techniques is concerned to the one involving there taking
the historical seismic data all the time. I would say what are

AEEC | August 2015

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the correlation factors or coefficients that might help to So applying the Gaussian or any other compatible

~ associate certain predictions with the recent earth quake mathematical algorithms, they try to predict the
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happening in Eritrea in September 18, 2013 with an

epicenter distance around 67Km from the capital Asmara
at a depth of 9.8Km which is moderate in magnitude. I
would look forward to a geological survey with a
synergistic approach in East Africa. In addition, have the
~
results posted with the East Africa Geological Organization
A
(If such an organization exists). The distance between Lake
E
Albert and Massawa is approximately 2000 Km and the
E
direction from Massawa is SSW as shown in the figure
M
below.

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Geologic factors are affecting planning and designs of most

infrastructures on this blue planet. The assessment of
groundwater, mining, geothermal, hydrocarbon, and the
delineation of subsurface pollutions, require sufficient
knowledge of geological features and the processes
involved in their genesis and evolution. Exploration
geophysics, one of the oldest earth sciences, is an essential
tool for acquiring knowledge for such assessments. This
tool is applicable particularly in the study of applied
geology, which focuses on the effects of geological
phenomena on human life and how humans can trigger
geological processes.
In Eritrea, a country in the horn of Africa by the Red Sea,
there have been extensive progresses made in the science
of geophysical exploration in the past few decades as you
have seen in the above. These experiences in exploration
geophysics in Eritrea have been documented as a finished
manuscript for publication in the near future. The
proposed book includes the science of exploration
geophysics with due emphasis given to hydro-geophysics
based on my experiences in this area. Moreover, problems
are designed and included in the book based on the
Eritrean geological context.

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probability of occurrences. Then it helps to prognosticate

the risk as a function of time though the probabilistic
outputs rely in a range of time. Eritrea needs an early
warning system that coincides with other systems
throughout the North East African region.

A sample of the problems addressed in the book:

Figure 24. The epicenter spots of Uganda and Eritrea

Problems of Seismic method

A http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/map/google_m a) In February, 2007 a ground geophysical study was

E ap_africa
carried out in Sawa western Eritrea in the flat plain.
The objective of the study was to identify qualitatively
E
the geometry and age of lacustrine sediments
M Seismologists continuously interpret and analyze their
(Mesozoic and Cenozoic) following their depositional
data. Then they superimpose it and try to develop
historical pattern. It is possible to have some geological
~ correlation functions by calculating co-variance of the
features in the deposit area. The main concern of the
A happening. Then from probability theory, it is known that
professionals was sustainability by predicting
E the probability is conserved in terms of 4D. Taking the
hydraulic conductivity, transmissivity and the
product of co-variant and contra-variant tensors, the
E
boundary of old to young groundwater saturation of
current of probability density function remains constant.
M

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Millisecond

the Sawa aquifer. The study of Eritrean c) linear slopes (5 ms/10 m and 8 ms/20 m in the first
hydrogeologists presumed that the Sawa aquifer is
and second segments respectively).
recharged both vertically by the rainfall and horizontal
flows from the ephemeral Sawa River and other
tributaries. Therefore, the Sawa groundwater flow
60
paths are assumed to be a bi-modal flow regime (both
piston and diffuse flow models). Figure25 shows a
50
portion of a processed and interpreted 2D-seismic
1
refraction velocity model of the study area.
9
0
40
8
Considering the physics of the fluvial processes from
sedimentology we can learn fractional volume of
7
30
Slope=1/V2
granular pore index is the void ratio (volume of gases
6
plus water to volume of solids), water volume ratio is
5
2
the volume of the water to the volume of solids and
4
0
saturation is the volume of the water to the volume of
3
1
the fluids. Based on the above parameters for
Slope=1/V1
geological genesis and evolution assume the Sawa
2
aquifer comprises soil moisture zone and saturation
zone. Suggest your delineation on the seismic anomaly
1
and associate the geophysical signature with the
aquifer dimension as a function of depth. If the author
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
interpreted the base of the LVL (low velocity layer) of
the seismic stratigraphy to be at the groundwater table
Meter
spatial variation (h/ z) under steady state condition
Figure26. Time versus distance graph of raw data of
assuming coefficient of seismic absorption and
Seismic of Sawa investigation area
Poissons ratio perhaps bigger in the low velocity zone.
How would you assimilate the LVL in the 2D-Seismic
refraction section based on this limited geophysical
If the time intercept is 5.9 ms and the critical distance is
information.
59m determine the thickness of the first geological layer.
Show your work using both the time intercept and critical
distance and attempt to use all formulae in your answer.
d) Given a coefficient of seismic absorption of finegrained Greywacke rock is 0.16 db. per
wavelength, assume the frequency is 1Hz with
wave speed of 2Km/s in the medium. If the
distance between the points where the Greywacke
attenuating the amplitude of the seismic wave and
surface of the wave incidence is assumed to be
1170m, by what percentages will the seismic wave
energy be attenuated while traversing through the
Figure25. 2D-Seismic section of Sawa aquifer
unit up to that point? Round your result to two
b) The following time versus distance graph is for the
decimal places as needed.
forward profile from a portion of the survey in
Question1. Two subsurface velocities are noted in Hint: ln10=2.3.
the graph based on the observation of the two

AEEC | August 2015

19

Given an isotropic sedimentary unit similar to the one in The conceptual utilization of each tool such as electrical,
magnetic, seismic, gravity and
radiometric methods, as reliable and valid model of
A following relationship is true:
acquiring information pertinent for this study, has been
E
2
discussed in detail. To provide the reader with practical
V1
V1
E
tan2 (sin1 ) = 2
impressions, case studies such as the application of
M
V2
V2 V12
geophysics
in
engineering,
hydrogeology,
and
environmental sciences are addressed. Furthermore, the
~ Hint: apply Snells law for seismic refraction method, book provides the reader with the benefits of some
A trigonometry and the geometry of ray paths in time additional insights by asserting the results of the authors
E intercept method in the proof.
fieldwork for proving the practical application of the
E
science.
M
I.
Explain why the left and right hand sides of the
Eventually,
recommendations
and
practical
equation become large when the velocity
troubleshooting solutions for problems that arose in the
~
contrast between layer 1 and 2 tends to zero. authors real life situations during exploration are
A
What happens when the velocity contrast documented. In the long run, the author contends that the
E
becomes very large? In each case, what is book is also expected to be a great asset in developing
E
happening to the seismic wave that is impinging analytical thinking and stimulating teamwork skills for
M
geophysicists. Although in its early stage, the contribution
upon the interface of layer 1 and 2?
of the book in upgrading professional standards, best
~
II.
Based on your conclusions in part (a) of this practices in science and ethics is profound.
A
question, suggest whether the response to the
E
seismic signal of an acoustic impedance (the My sincere appreciation is given in advance for any critics,
product of density and velocity) variation of the comment, complement, questions, ideas and information
E
P-wave is due to hard rocks or soft rocks. Explain from all interested readers.
M
why?
~ The primary purpose of this book is to provide the reader By Henok T. Tewelde
A with working knowledge of the art and science of Senior Geophysicist
exploration geophysics and to further help the reader Head of Geophysics unit for WRD,
E
adopt this book as a reference for convenience. The book Eritrea (10/2007 06/2013)
E comprises of theories, derivations and deductions of North Carolina, USA
M formulae and their relationship with the physical insights.

~ Question 2 with two distinct horizontal beds, prove the electromagnetic,

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AEEC | August 2015

ALPHA
ERITREAN ENGINEERS MEGAZINE

20

Current Job Opportunities

Companies or Government Jobs

Location & Number

Closing Date

Electrical Engineering
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Maintenance Engineer Level 1 or 2 Job

ID 1500026682, Southern California
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Information Technology Manager M, Job

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21

Hard to reach doesnt have to mean hard to do

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Bringing the best and the brightest together

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The authors
Henok Tewelde
henok.tewelde74@gmail.com received his

BS degree in physics and geology at University

of Asmara in 1998. Currently Henok is
working hard and fundraising to publish a
scientific book. He can be reached via his email
liseted above.

Filipos Abraham afiliposa@yahoo.com

holds Masters Degree in Software Engineering
from Wichita State University. Currently he is
working with Boeing Defence Space and
Security as designer and embedded real time
software developer.

AEEC | August 2015

If you need an updated information,

discussions or got an Engineering
experiences that you want share
your knowledge or ideas with your
fellow professionals.
You will find us on
www.linkedin.com/groups/AlphaEritrean-Engineers-Community

22