Geology and structure of the dryland Mutubuki wetland of Gutu, Zimbabwe

The study aimed at understanding the geological factors that led to the formation of Mutubuki wetland in the Gutu District of Zimbabwe. Most studies of dryland wetlands focus on contributions from ecology, biology, and hydrology ignoring their structure and geology. As a result geology of wetlands have remained little understood yet improved understanding of the geological and sedimentological processes governing their development, is vital for the design of sustainable management guidelines for these diverse and fragile areas. The study used field surveys to gather data at a micro-catchment level and GIS techniques to combine and analyse the digital elevation model derivatives and geological map of the area. The results showed that the wetland was located at the point of contact of gneiss and granite basement rock, the wetland also sits at an interfluve which is its major recharge zone, it also occurs on a depression at the edge of higher ground has gentle slopes. It was also observed that the wetland contained a thick layer of clay and the interfluves contained sandy soils.