This manuscript provides a comprehensive review of the influence of geological structures on groundwater potential in the volcanic rocks of the Northwestern Ethiopian Plateau. The authors effectively synthesize existing research, highlighting the critical role of faults, fractures, lineaments, and folds in shaping groundwater dynamics. The review is well-structured, with a clear focus on the interplay between tectonic processes, lithological heterogeneity, and groundwater movement. The incorporation of case studies from the Northwestern Ethiopian Plateau and the East African Rift System adds depth to the discussion, illustrating the practical implications of the reviewed concepts. The manuscript is well-written, with a logical flow and appropriate use of references to support key points. However, there are areas where the manuscript could be improved, particularly in terms of clarity, depth of analysis, and addressing potential limitations.

Specific Comments on each sections

# Abstract and Introduction:

The abstract provides a good overview of the review's scope and key findings. However, it could be more concise and focused. For instance, the sentence "The review underscores the importance of integrating geological, geophysical, and hydrological methods for effective groundwater exploration and management" could be rephrased to emphasize the novelty or specific contributions of the review.

The introduction effectively sets the stage for the review by highlighting the importance of groundwater in arid and semi-arid regions and the role of geological structures in groundwater dynamics. However, how it could benefits and advances existing knowledge?

# Methods for Assessing Structural Influence on Groundwater Potential:

This section talks several methods, including geological mapping, geophysical surveys, remote sensing, and hydrogeological studies. However, the discussion could be enhanced by providing more specific examples or case studies where these methods have been successfully applied in the Northwestern Ethiopian Plateau or similar regions.

The authors mention the use of remote sensing and GIS for lineament mapping but could elaborate on the limitations of these techniques, particularly in regions with complex geology or limited data availability.

# Role of Geological Structures in Groundwater Potential

The discussion on faults, fractures, lineaments, and folds is thorough and well-supported by references. However, the authors could provide more critical analysis of the variability in the impact of these structures on groundwater potential. For example, while faults can act as conduits or barriers, the conditions under which they favor one role over the other could be explored in greater detail.

#  Case Studies

The case studies for the Northwestern Ethiopian Plateau and the East African Rift System are informative and relevant. However, the authors could provide more detailed analysis of the specific geological and hydrological conditions in these regions, particularly how they influence groundwater potential. For instance, the discussion on the East African Rift System could include more information on the variability in groundwater potential across different segments of the rift by associating with clear structural influence by reviewing different works.

The authors mention the challenges of over-extraction and environmental degradation but could provide more specific examples or data to support these claims.

# Challenges and Opportunities:

This section focuses on challenges and limitations is well-articulated, particularly the discussion on data scarcity and structural complexity. However, the authors could provide more specific recommendations for addressing these challenges, such as the use of advanced geophysical techniques or the integration of machine learning algorithms for data analysis.

The opportunities section is promising but could be expanded to include more specific examples of how advanced mapping techniques and integrated approaches have been successfully applied in similar regions.

# Conclusion and Recommendations:

The conclusion effectively summarizes the key findings of the review and highlights the importance of integrating multidisciplinary approaches for groundwater management. However, the authors could provide more specific recommendations for future research, particularly in terms of addressing data gaps and developing predictive models.

Technical Corrections:

Line 8-9: "This review examines the influence of geological structures on groundwater potential in the volcanic rocks of the Northwestern Ethiopian Plateau." Consider rephrasing for clarity: "This review examines how geological structures influence groundwater potential in the volcanic rocks of the Northwestern Ethiopian Plateau."

General Comments:

This manuscript addressed an important topic that could benefit researchers working on groundwater in volcanic terrains. However, despite its potential contribution, the manuscript requires a major revision due to several critical issues in structure, clarity, and supporting evidence. The findings are not well-highlighted, key points are underdeveloped, and there are inconsistencies in citations and references. Additionally, the figure lacked crucial information which is necessary to support the discussion. The review lacked a clear synthesis of findings and methodology, making it difficult to assess its contribution effectively.

Specific Comments:

1. Abstract: The abstract is too generic and does not clearly present the key findings from the review or case studies. It should highlight the major insights and contributions of the paper rather than providing a broad conceptual overview.
2. Line 29-30 (Acocella et al., 2003 vs. 2002): There is a discrepancy between the citation and the reference list. Additionally, the cited literature focuses on geology rather than groundwater. If relevant, summarize the geological aspects in the introduction and explicitly connect them to groundwater systems to justify its inclusion.
3. Line 50 (Objective vs. Findings): The manuscript claims to provide a deeper understanding of groundwater potential in volcanic regions, particularly the Northwestern Ethiopian Plateau. However, the results are weakly presented and only appear in Line 192, stating that fractured basalts and fault zones serve as aquifers while pyroclastic deposits act as aquitards. More detailed discussion is needed to support this claim. Consider linking these results to 1 and providing spatial analysis on the distribution of aquifer types and transmissivity from the reviewed literature (Kassune et al., 2018).
4. Figure 1: This figure lacks critical information on faults, folds, and geological profiles (sections) which are essential for discussing groundwater in volcanic terrains. How does it connect to the manuscript’s main argument? Moreover, the resolution is poor, making it difficult to interpret. Line 187 also refers to Fig. 1, but the description is unclear. A revision is needed to improve clarity and relevance.
5. Citation issues:
   • Line 61: Citation Tamesgen et al., 2023—The study area does not include the Northwestern Ethiopian Plateau. What is its relevance to this study? If it does not directly contribute, reconsider its inclusion or clarify its connection.
   • Line 83: "Abiye 2020" appears twice in the reference list with missing details (volume, issue, DOI, etc.). It seems to be a key source for the case study results, but I was unable to locate it. Please ensure correct formatting and confirm its actual contributions.
   • Line 95: "Tesfaye et al., 2020" is cited in Hydrogeology Journal 28(7), but this paper cannot be found in that issue. Additionally, it appears twice in the reference list. Please verify the correct citation details.
6. LINE 153 (Lineaments): The text highlights the importance of lineaments but lacks a detailed discussion of their role in groundwater systems. This section requires further development, particularly regarding:
   • Lineament density analysis and its implications for groundwater potential.
   • Whether the lineaments are fault lines derived from geological mapping or linear features in a landscape derived from DEM analysis and satellite image processing.
   • The lack of relevant citations in this field—consider incorporating studies on lineament extraction methods and their application in hydrogeological assessments.
7. Line 172 (Synclines as Groundwater Reservoirs): The statement that "synclines may act as groundwater reservoirs" (Chernet, 1993) lacks explanation. No follow-up discussion is provided. If this is a key point, expand on how lithology and structure influence groundwater storage.
8. Line 183 (Case Studies Section): The case studies should synthesize findings from the literature rather than merely listing individual results. More effort is needed to summarize trends, patterns, and implications. Additionally, it is unclear how the review methodology was applied—this needs clarification.
9. Line 240 (Challenges and Limitations):
   • The discussion on data limitations is vague—what specific high-resolution data are missing?
   • 1 lacks a publication scale for geological maps, making it difficult to assess the resolution and accuracy of survey results.
   • Line 252: The mention of "complex flow paths" is valid, but the manuscript does not describe geochemical groundwater analysis in the methodology. This is a major gap that should be addressed.
10. Line 309 (Key Regions): The manuscript states key regions are important but does not specify which regions these are. Provide more details.
11. Line 313 (Robust Models): The text mentions the need for robust models but does not specify whether existing models were reviewed or if recommendations are being made. Clarify whether this is a literature review gap or a suggested improvement.

Conclusion:

The manuscript requires substantial revision to improve its structure, depth of analysis, and clarity. Key findings should be better integrated, the methodology needs refinement, and inconsistencies in references and citations must be corrected. Additionally, figures should be enhanced to support the discussion effectively. Addressing these issues will significantly strengthen the paper's contribution. We expect the results to be better synthesized and effectively communicated.