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Analysis of recent airborne gravity and magnetic data for the interpretation of basement structures underneath the south–western Benue trough using source edge detector filters

  • Research Article - Solid Earth Sciences
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Abstract

We present the detail basement and trends of geological structures associated with the Mesozoic-Cenozoic volcanism in the south–western region of the Nigerian Benue trough using recent gravity and magnetic anomalies of the region. The analysis aimed at recognizing and mapping the basement structure that controlled the distribution and source host of hydrocarbon and other economic mineral resources in the region. The structural recognition and mapping is done on the basis of the utilization of the Tilt Angle (TA) and Total Horizontal Derivative of the Tilt Angle (THDTA) of gravity and magnetic data. From these techniques, we have been able to identify and mapped out those edges of anomalous sources due to the gravity and magnetic data that are in association with the basement geological structures of the area. Based on the mapped structural trends, it is observed that the basement structures derived from both the gravity and magnetic anomalies correlated well with the zones of volcanic rocks around Gboko and area between Lefin and Oturkpo. The two locations are sitting over gravity and magnetic highs suggesting high density and susceptibility material below the subsurface. The Euler deconvolution method suggested depths between 1 and 5 km from both gravity and magnetic data. Deeper basement of anomalous sources are suggested between 3 and 5 km. The 1 km depth interprets the regions of basement highs or corresponding to intrusive zones.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledged the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), Abuja office for providing the high-resolution airborne gravity and magnetic data for this work. We appreciate the valuable observations and constructive comments of the two anonymous reviewers.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Physics Unit, Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Modibbo Adama University, Yola, P.M.B. 2076, Nigeria

    Mukaila Abdullahi & Bello Yusuf Idi

  2. Department of Physics, Nigerian Army University, Biu, P.M.B. 1500, Nigeria

    Mukaila Abdullahi

  3. CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa, 403004, India

    Raj Kumar

  4. Department of Applied Geophysics, Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, 826004, India

    Upendra Kumar Singh

  5. Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), Abuja Office, Abuja, Nigeria

    Adamu Usman Abba

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  1. Mukaila Abdullahi
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  2. Raj Kumar
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  3. Bello Yusuf Idi
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  4. Upendra Kumar Singh
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  5. Adamu Usman Abba
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Correspondence to Mukaila Abdullahi.

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Edited by Prof. Teresa Grabowska (ASSOCIATE EDITOR) / Prof. Ramón Zúñiga (CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF).

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Abdullahi, M., Kumar, R., Idi, B.Y. et al. Analysis of recent airborne gravity and magnetic data for the interpretation of basement structures underneath the south–western Benue trough using source edge detector filters. Acta Geophys. 71, 1595–1606 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11600-023-01060-1

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