Prof Oswald Gwavava, an esteemed academic and expert in geophysics at the University of Fort Hare (UFH), delivered the institution’s 38th Professorial Inaugural Lecture yesterday, officially marking his ascension to Full Professor.
In his lecture titled “Probing the Earth using the Geophysicist’s Microscopic Eye to Reveal the Hidden Geology in Southern Africa”, Prof Gwavava shared groundbreaking findings from his extensive research in geophysical investigations of the Earth’s crustal structures.
His insights captivated the audience at the Alice campus’ Agriculture Auditorium and online, revealing new dimensions of Southern Africa’s geological landscape.
New Revelations in Crustal Structure
Prof Gwavava’s research focuses on the vast geological region of southern Africa, which includes areas like the Zimbabwe and Kaapvaal cratons, as well as geological belts such as Limpopo, Magondi, Okwa, Kheis, Namaqua-Natal, Cape Fold, and Mozambique belts. He also explored the Kalahari sands.
According to him, at the time of commencing the research, the shallow and deep crustal structures, deep crustal composition, and the attitude of contact between the terrains were not well resolved.
“Our gravity study revealed that the Bouguer anomaly is fairly flat on the Zimbabwe craton, with a rise over the Central Zone and a peak over igneous intrusives.”
“A gravity high along the Lebombo-Nuanetsi-Sabi volcanics suggests crustal thinning and possible underplating, leading to a much thicker crust beneath the Limpopo Belt. Seismic results showed Moho depths of 34-37 km beneath the Zimbabwe craton and 33-45 km beneath the Kaapvaal craton, with varying crustal thicknesses across different regions.”
Future Directions in Geophysical Research
In his lecture, Prof Gwavava looked forward to future research initiatives, emphasizing the need for more comprehensive geophysical surveys, especially in the Eastern Cape. He stressed that the gravity data in this region is sparse and called for collaboration between universities and the Council for Geoscience to expand the geophysical dataset.
“The gravity data in the Eastern Cape is sparse. Universities and the Council of Geoscience can collaborate to carry out extensive surveys to cover the region,” Prof Gwavava explained. He also advocated for using near-surface geophysics to assist in locating groundwater, a resource vital for the region’s future.
A Lifetime of Dedication
Prof Gwavava’s journey to this stage is one of dedication and academic brilliance.
His career began after he earned his Bachelor of Science in Physics from the University of Zimbabwe in 1981. He worked as a teacher and physicist before pursuing further studies, earning a master’s and Ph.D. in Exploration Geophysics by 1991. Throughout his academic career, he completed annual research visits to the University of Leeds, supported by a British Council-funded link.
In 2008, Prof Gwavava joined UFH and quickly rose through the academic ranks, achieving Full Professorship by 2018. Over the years, he has supervised 62 honours students, 18 master’s students, and five doctoral candidates. His publication record includes 51 peer-reviewed articles, 25 technical reports, and 35 conference presentations, significantly contributing to the geophysics field.
Prof Gwavava’s work has also attracted substantial funding, securing approximately R550 million in research grants, which highlights his standing as a leader in his field
Conclusion
Prof Gwavava concluded his lecture by highlighting the power of geophysics in investigating the subsurface geology of the Earth. “Geophysics is a powerful tool that is increasingly being used to investigate the subsurface geology at a much-reduced cost compared to drilling. Employing high-precision equipment allows us to explore the Earth’s crust and obtain critical information.”
“This approach, which often combines multiple techniques, has answered many of the questions regarding crustal thicknesses, the Moho’s characteristics, and deep crustal composition. Such data can be invaluable to mining companies for mineral exploration.”
Gratitude
He also shared his profound gratitude for the support he has received throughout his academic journey, acknowledging his family, mentors, and the UFH management for their encouragement and backing. “I am deeply thankful to everyone who has contributed to my academic journey. Without their support, this lecture would not have been possible,” Prof Gwavava remarked, his voice filled with humility.
As the lecture concluded and the applause resonated, it was evident that Prof Gwavava’s contributions to geophysics would continue to shape and expand our understanding of the Earth’s geological structure for many years.