An estimate of the depth to the basement underneath the Benue trough from a study of aeromagnetic anomalies
Main Article Content
Abstract
From a study of aeromagnetic anomalies over parts of the Benue Trough, Nigeria, an attempt is here made to estima te the depth to the basement underneath the Benue Trough and consequently the thickness of sediments in the area. Several aeromagnetic profiles have been taken across the trough and two-dimensional interpretation of these carried out using non-linear optimization and interactive techniques in an effort to estímate the nature and depth to the basement underneath the Benue Trough. The results of this interpretation show that the Benue Trough is underlain by a basement of variable topography. The depth to the basement and consequently the thickness of sediments filling the trough is estimated to vary between about 0.5 km and about 7 km.
Article Details

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
References
ADIGHIJE, C., 1979. Gravity field of Benue Trough, Nigeria. Nature Phys. Sci., 282, 199-201. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/282199a0
ADIGHIJE, C., 1981 a. Gravity study of Lower Benue Trough, Nigeria. Geol. Mag., 118, 59-67. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0016756800024808
ADIGHIJE, C., 1981 b. A gravity interpretation of the Benue Trough, Nigeria. Tectonophysics, 79, 109-128. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-1951(81)90235-3
AJAKAIYE, D. E., 1981. Geophysical investigations in the Benue Trough - a review. Earth Evol. Sci., 1, 110-125.
AJAYI, C. O. and D. E. AJAKAIYE, 1981. The origin and peculiarities of the Nigerian Benue Trough: another look from recent gravity data obtained from the Middle Benue. Tectonophysics, 80, 285-303. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-1951(81)90154-2
AYOOLA, E. O., 1978. Sedimentology of the Middle Benue Trough, Nigeria. Unpublished Ph. D. thesis, University of London.
CRATCHLEY, C. R. and G. P. JONES, 1965. An interpretation of the geology and gravity anomalies of the Benue Valley, Nigeria. Geophys. Pap. Overseas Geol. Surv. London, No. 1.
EFFEOTOR, O. E., 1974. Sedimentological studies of the Bima sandstones (Sheets 193 and 172) N. E. Nigeria. Unpublished Ph. D. thesis, University of London.
KOGBE, C. A., 1981 a. Attempt to correlate the stratigraphic sequence in the Middle Benue Basin with those of the Anambra and Upper Benue Basins. Earth Evol. Sci., 1, 139-143.
KOGBE, C. A., 1981 b. Major transgressive episodes in the Benue Valley of Nigeria. Earth Evol. Sci., 1, 144-149.
OFOEGBU, C. O., 1985a. A review of the geology of the Benue Trough of Nigeria. J. African Earth Sci., 3, 283-292. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0899-5362(85)90001-6
OFOEGBU, C. 0., 1985b. Non-linear optimization techniques and their application to the interpretation of geophysical anomalies. In: Computers and mathematics in the modern society, edited by S. O. Fatunla, pp. 109-135. Macmillan Pub. Co. Ltd.
OFOEGBU, C. 0., 1986a. A method of interpreting magnetic anomalies due to dyke-like bodies. J. Mining and Geol., 21, (in press).
OFOEGBU, C. O., 1986b. Interpretation of a linear magnetic feature near Mutum-Biyu, Nigeria. Rev. Brasileira Geof., 3 (In press). DOI: https://doi.org/10.22564/rbgf.v3i2.1028
OFOEGBU, C. O. and M. H. P. BOTT, 1985c. Interpretation of the Minch linear magnetic anomaly and a similar feature on the shelf north of Lewis by non-linear optimization. J Geol. Soc. London, 142, 1077-1087. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1144/gsjgs.142.6.1077
OFFODILE, M. E. and R. A. REYMENT, 1977. Stratigraphy of the Keana-Awe area of the Middle Benue region of Nigeria. Bull. Geol. Inst. Univ. Upsala, 7, 37-66.
OSAZUWA, I. B., D. E. AJAKAIJE and P. T. J. VERHEIJEN, 1981. Analysis of the structure of part of the Benue Rift Valley on the basis of new geophysical data. Earth Evol. Sci., 1, 126-136.
TALWANI, M. and J. R. HEIRTZLER, 1964. Computation of magnetic anomalies caused by two-dimensional structures of arbitrary shape. Stanford Univ. Pub. Geol. Sci., 9, 464-480.
VALENCIO, D. A. and J. F. A. DANIELS, 1976. Sequence of the continental movements prior to and after the formation of the South Atlantic. An. Acad. Eras. Cienc., 48, 377-386.