Most faults in the Dodoma area form a set of clear NE - SW trending normal faults that is generally characterized by impressive and relatively large scarps. This trend is considered to be mainly controlled by Precambrian structures of the Tanzania craton in which the Dodoma area lies.
Another set of faults is the one characterized by N - S to NNW - SSE and NW - SE trending normal faults. These faults are irregular in plan view and are generally associated with hot / saline springs. The faults in this set can be further sub - divided into two based on their age; (1) Pre - Holocene faults and (2) Holocene faults. The former are, like the NE - SW trending faults, characterized by large and impressive scarps in general. The Holocene faults are small and most of them are in their early stages of formation characterized by insignificant scarps.
Hot springs are also found on some NE - SW trending faults but generally, the hot springs seem to align in a N - S direction in a regional framework.
The current stress field computed from fault - slip data and focal mechanisms is in harmony with the N - S to NNW - SSE faults and its irregularity in plan view is interpreted to be caused by re - adjustment of the fault orientations against Precambrian structures.
Key words: Tanzania, Dodoma, stress field analysis, focal mechanism data
