1887
Volume 53, Issue 4
  • ISSN: 0812-3985
  • E-ISSN: 1834-7533

Abstract

There have been repeated calls from various quarters in Nigeria for a robust examination of Abakaliki anticlinorium and Afikpo sub-basin of the Southern Benue Trough for their mineral and hydrocarbon prospects. The Southern Benue Trough is part of a linear NE-SW trending rift system whose development is related to the breakaway of Africa from South America and the subsequent opening of the South Atlantic Ocean during the Cretaceous. Detailed geophysical studies were carried out with the high resolution aeromagnetic data using analytical techniques which include spectral analysis, analytic signal (AS) evaluations, Euler deconvolution, potential field transformation and two-dimensional potential field modelling of subsurface geology. Results reveal varying depths ranging from 0.41 to 0.67 km for depths to magnetic sources, and 1.0–5.5 km for basement depths. The presence of magnetic sources within the sedimentary basins is indicated by shallow depths to the top (DTT) of magnetic sources. Euler depth estimates ranging between 1.0 and 4.8 km for the magnetic source contacts/faults concurs with depths to the basement of between 4.5 and 4.9 km realised from the 2D modelling. Euler deconvolution of the magnetic anomalies also revealed the presence of Sill and Dyke structures at Amuzu, Enyigba, parts of Abakaliki, Utampa, Abriba, Afikpo, Ugep, and Agoi Ekpo regions with varying depths of up to 3.5 km. Structures mapped around Okposi, Amuzu, Enyigba Abakaliki, and Ishieke areas present viable prospects for hydrocarbon exploration. Structures identified at the Afikpo region could best represent mineral lode within the area. The 2D modelling shows various subsurface geological structures to include faults, fractures, sill, dyke, and considerable basement intrusion within the profile. Results from this study have identified an expanse of untapped areas with higher prospectivity which could be exploited for productive and viable mineral and hydrocarbon explorations.

© 2021 Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists
Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/10.1080/08123985.2021.1982646
2022-07-04
2026-01-24

  • From This Site

    /content/journals/10.1080/08123985.2021.1982646
    dcterms_title,dcterms_subject,pub_keyword
    -contentType:Journal -contentType:Contributor -contentType:Concept -contentType:Institution
    10
    5
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

References

  1. Abraham, E.M., O.Alile, and K.A.Murana. 2014. Structural mapping of Ikogosi warm spring area using aeromagnetic derivatives and Euler depth estimates. International Journal for Research in Applied And Natural Science3, no. 2: 15–20.
     [Google Scholar]
  2. Abraham, E.M., O.Itumoh, C.Chukwu, and O.Rock. 2018. Geothermal energy reconnaissance of Southeastern Nigeria from analysis of aeromagnetic and gravity-data. Pure and Applied Geophysics176: 22–36. doi:10.1007/s00024‑018‑2028‑1.
     https://doi.org/10.1007/s00024-018-2028-1 [Google Scholar]
  3. Abraham, E.M., K.M.Lawal, A.L.Ahmed, and E.C.Chii. 2011. Application of the analytic signal technique to investigate the geothermal potential of Ikogosi warm spring in Ekiti area, Southwestern Nigeria. ADSU Journal of Scientific Research1: 9–21.
     [Google Scholar]
  4. Abraham, E.M., and M.A.Owens. 2019. Modeling subsurface geologic structures at the Ikogosi geothermal field, Southwestern Nigeria, using gravity, magnetics, and seismic interferometry techniques. Journal of Geophysics and Engineering16, no. 4: 729–41. doi:10.1093/jge/gxz034.
     https://doi.org/10.1093/jge/gxz034 [Google Scholar]
  5. Agha, S.O., and A.I.Arua. 2014. Integrated geophysical investigation of sequence of deposition of sedimentary strata in Abakaliki, Nigeria. European Journal of Physical and Agricultural Sciences2, no. 1: 1–5.
     [Google Scholar]
  6. Benkhelil, J.1982. Benue trough and Benue chain. Geological Magazines119: 155–68. doi:10.1017/S001675680002584X.
     https://doi.org/10.1017/S001675680002584X [Google Scholar]
  7. Benkhelil, J.1988. Structure Et Evolution geodynamique De basis intercontinental De Ca benoue (Nigeria). Bull centre Rech. Explor prod. ELF Aquaintaine1207: 29.
     [Google Scholar]
  8. Bilim, F.2007. Investigations into the tectonic lineaments and thermal structure of Kutahya–Denizli region, western Anatolia, from using aeromagnetic, gravity, and seismological data. Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors165: 135–46.
     [Google Scholar]
  9. Blakely, R.J.1988. Curie temperature analysis and tectonic implications of aeromagnetic data from Nevada. Journal of Geophysical Research93, no. B10: 11817–32.
     [Google Scholar]
  10. Burke, K.C., T.F.J.Dessauvagie, and A.J.Whiteman. 1970. Geological history of the Benue valley and adjacent areas. In African geology, ed. T.F.J.Dessauvagie and A.J.Whiteman, 187–205. Ibadan: Ibadan University Press.
     [Google Scholar]
  11. Dolmaz, M.N., T.Ustaomer, Z.M.Hisarli, and N.Orbay. 2005. Curie point depth variations to infer the thermal structure of the crust at the African-Eurasian convergence zone, SW Turkey. Earth, Planets and Space57: 373–83.
     [Google Scholar]
  12. Ekwueme, B.N., and G.B.Akpeke. 2012. Occurrence and distribution of barite mineralization in cross river state, South-eastern Nigeria. Global Journal of Geological Sciences10, no. 1: 85–98.
     [Google Scholar]
  13. Fatoye, F.B., and Y.B.Gideon. 2013. Geology and mineral resources of the lower Benue trough, Nigeria. Advances in Applied Science Research4, no. 6: 21–8.
     [Google Scholar]
  14. Fedi, M., and G.Florio. 2001. Detection of potential fields source boundaries by the enhanced horizontal derivative method. Geophysical Prospecting49: 40–58.
     [Google Scholar]
  15. Garland, G.D.1951. Combined analysis of gravity and magnetic anomalies. Geophysics16: 51–62.
     [Google Scholar]
  16. Ghazala, H.H.1993. Geological and structural interpretation of airborne surveys and its significance for mineralization, South Eastern Desert, Egypt. Journal of African Earth Sciences 16, no. 3: 273–285.
     [Google Scholar]
  17. Gupta, V.H., and S.D.Ramani. 1982. Optimum second vertical derivative application in geologic mapping and mineral exploration. Geophysics24: 582–601.
     [Google Scholar]
  18. Gyang, J.D., N.Nanle, and S.G.Chollom. 2010. An overview of mineral resources development in Nigeria: Problems and prospects. Continental Journal of Sustainable Development1: 23–31.
     [Google Scholar]
  19. Hsu, S.K., J.C.Sibuet, and C.T.Shyu. 1996. High resolution detection of geologic boundaries from potential field anomalies: An enhanced analytic signal technique. Geophysics61: 373–86. doi:10.1190/1.1443966.
     https://doi.org/10.1190/1.1443966 [Google Scholar]
  20. Hunt, J.M.1996. Petroleum geochemistry and geology, 743. 2nd ed. New York: Freeman, W. H. and Co.
  21. Keary, P., and M.Brooks. 2002. An introduction to geophysical exploration, 281. 3rd ed. Oxford: Blackwell Science Ltd.
  22. Nabighian, M.N.1972. The analytic signal of two-dimensional magnetic bodies with polygonal cross-section: Its properties and use for automated anomaly interpretation. Geophysics37: 507–17.
     [Google Scholar]
  23. Nwachukwu, S.O.1972. The tectonic evolution, of the southern portion, of the Benue trough, Nigeria. Geological Magazine109: 411–9.
     [Google Scholar]
  24. Obande, G.E., K.M.Lawal, and L.A.Ahmed. 2014. Spectral-analysis of aeromagnetic data, for geothermal investigation of Wikki warm spring, North-East Nigeria. Geothermics50: 85–90.
     [Google Scholar]
  25. Obarezi, J.E., and J.I.Nwosu. 2013. Structural controls of Pb-Zn mineralization of Enyigba district, Abakaliki, Southeastern Nigeria. Journal of Geology and Mining Research5, no. 11: 250–61. doi:10.5897/JGMR13.0189.
     https://doi.org/10.5897/JGMR13.0189 [Google Scholar]
  26. Obasi, A.I., O.P.Aghamelu, C.N.Chukwu, and P.N.Nnabo. 2015. Engineering geophysical study of the Ebonyi state university permanent site, Abakaliki, Southeastern Nigeria. British Journal of Applied Science & Technology7, no. 2: 168–78.
     [Google Scholar]
  27. Ofoegbu, C.O., and K.M.Onuoha. 1991. Analysis of magnetic data over the Abakaliki anticlinolium of the lower Benue trough. Marine and Petroleum Geology8: 174–83.
     [Google Scholar]
  28. Oha, I.A., K.M.Onuoha, and S.S.Dada. 2017. Contrasting styles of lead-zinc-barium mineralization in the lower Benue trough, Southeastern Nigeria. Earth Sciences Research Journal21, no. 1: 7–16. doi:10.15446/esrj.v21n1.39703.
     https://doi.org/10.15446/esrj.v21n1.39703 [Google Scholar]
  29. Oha, I.A., K.M.Onuoha, A.N.Nwegbu, and A.U.Abba. 2016. Interpretation of high-resolution aeromagnetic data over southern Benue trough, Southeastern Nigeria. Journal of Earth System Science125, no. 2: 369–85.
     [Google Scholar]
  30. Okubo, Y., R.J.Graf, R.O.Hansen, K.Ogawa, and H.Tsu. 1985. Curie point depths of the island of Kyushu and surrounding areas, Japan. Geophysics50, no. 3: 481–94.
     [Google Scholar]
  31. Olade, M.A.1975. Evolution of Nigeria’s Benue trough (aulacogen): A tectonic model. Geological Magazine112: 575–81.
     [Google Scholar]
  32. Opara, A.I., R.A.Onyewuchi, S.O.Onyekuru, A.C.Okonkwo, I.E.Nwosu, T.T.Emberga, and O.P.Nosiri. 2014. Structural interpretation of the Afikpo sub-basin: Evidences from airborne magnetic and landsat ETM data. Elixir International Journal: Earth Science71: 24546–52.
     [Google Scholar]
  33. Osinowo, O.O., and T.O.Taiwo. 2020. Analysis of high-resolution aeromagnetic (HRAM) data of lower Benue trough, Southeastern Nigeria, for hydrocarbon potential evaluation. NRIAG Journal of Astronomy and Geophysics9, no. 1: 350–61.
     [Google Scholar]
  34. Pilkington, M., and P.Keating. 2006. The relationship between local wavenumber and analytic signal in magnetic interpretation. Geophysics71, no. 1:L1–3.
     [Google Scholar]
  35. Qin, S.1994. An analytic signal approach to the interpretation of total magnetic anomalies. Geophysical Prospecting42: 665–75.
     [Google Scholar]
  36. Reeves, C.2005. Aeromagnetic surveys: Principles, practice, and interpretation, 155. Washington, DC: Earthworks, GEOSOFT.
  37. Reid, A.B., J.M.Allsop, H.Grauser, A.J.Millet, and I.N.Somerton. 1990. Magnetic interpretation in 3D using Euler deconvolution. Geophysics55: 80–91.
     [Google Scholar]
  38. Reid, A.B., and J.B.Thurston. 2014. The structural index in gravity and magnetic interpretation: Errors, uses, and abuses. Geophysics79, no. 4: J61–6. doi:10.1190/GEO2013‑0235.1.
     https://doi.org/10.1190/GEO2013-0235.1 [Google Scholar]
  39. Roest, W.R., J.Verhoef, and M.Pilkington. 1992. Magnetic interpretation using the 3D analytic signal. Geophysics57, no. 1: 116–25.
     [Google Scholar]
  40. Silva, J.B.C.1986. Reduction to the pole as an inverse problem and its application to low-latitude anomalies. Geophysics51, no. 2: 369–82.
     [Google Scholar]
  41. Spector, A., and F.S.Grant. 1970. Statistical models for interpreting aeromagnetic data. Geophysics35: 293–302.
     [Google Scholar]
  42. Thompson, D.T.1982. EULDPH: A new technique for making computer-assisted depth estimates from magnetic data. Geophysics47: 31–7.
     [Google Scholar]
  43. Ugwu, G.Z., and T.K.Alasi. 2016. Aeromagnetic survey for determining depth, to magnetic source of Abakaliki and Ugep areas, of the lower Benue trough, Nigeria. Engineering and Technology Journal1, no. 1: 18–31.
     [Google Scholar]
  44. Whitehead, N., and C.Musselman. 2005. Montaj gravity/magnetic interpretation: Processing, analysis, and visualization system, for 3-D inversion of potential field data, for Oasis Montaj v6.1. Toronto: Geosoft Inc.
/content/journals/10.1080/08123985.2021.1982646
Loading
Determination of depths to magnetic sources within Abakaliki–Afikpo area and environs, Southeastern Nigeria: implications for mineral and hydrocarbon prospectivity
Exploration Geophysics 53, 439 (2022); https://doi.org/10.1080/08123985.2021.1982646
/content/journals/10.1080/08123985.2021.1982646
/content/journals/10.1080/08123985.2021.1982646
Loading

Data & Media loading...

  • Article Type: Research Article
Keyword(s): depths; hydrocarbon; Magnetics; minerals; modelling; psuedogravity

Most Cited This Month Most Cited RSS feed

This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a Success
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error