Induced Polarization Images the Plumbing System of Hydrothermal Vents in an Intracontinental Rift, Lake Abhé, Republic of Djibouti

Recent developments in induced polarization allow for the characterization of alteration halos within hydrothermal systems. We explore the possibility of using electrical conductivity and normalized chargeability tomograms in concert to image hydrothermal conduits thanks to their high cation exchange capacities associated with alteration. The hydrothermal plumbing system of the late‐stage rift area of Lake Abhé (Republic of Djibouti) is used to test the ability of induced polarization to reveal such plumbing system associated with the prominent hydrothermal chimneys serving as vents for the hydrothermal fluids. We show that induced polarization can be used to provide an alteration tomogram, which highlights the flow path toward 2 chimneys in the top 70 m below the surface of the sediments at Lake Abhé. Plain Language Summary We are currently lacking tools to visualize the plumbing system of hydrothermal bodies. Because of its unique sensitivity to alteration, induced polarization represents a welcome and useful non‐intrusive technique to image hydrothermal conduits including at large depths (kilometer scale). We develop a methodology to image the hydrothermal flow paths associated with the chimneys observed at Lake Abhé, Republic of Djibouti, located at the triple junction between the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and main Ethiopian rift trends. These vents are associated with hydrothermal sublacustrine springs. The hydrothermal pathways are characterized by intense hydrothermal alteration. Key Points Induced polarization is sensitive to hydrothermal alteration The hydrothermal vents at Lake Abhé are highly altered Induced polarization images the conduits associated with two vents