Seismic Refraction Investigation of Western Part of the Federal University of Technology, GidanKwano Campus, Minna, Niger State

Abstract

A seismic refraction investigation of western part of the Federal University of Technology, Gidan Kwano Campus, Minna, Niger State was carried out. This survey was carried out along six major profiles covering a total area of about 125, 000 m2 using a portable three – channel seismic signal enhancement seismograph. Careful interpretation of the seismic data obtained shows two geologic sections within the survey area. The first layer or top soil has a velocity that varies between 716.33 ms-1 and 2024.29 ms-1 with an average value of 1237.86 ms-1. This corresponds to dry sand, clay and gravel. The second layer is the refractor layer whose velocity ranges, between 1935.36 ms-1 and 7485.03 ms-1 with an average value of 4581.67 ms-1 and has an average depth of 4.74 m. The wide range of velocity variations can be attributed to the in-homogeneity of this region. This shows that the refractor layer’s lithology composed of Granites. The sites that are appropriate for the sinking of borehole are at the north-east and north-west portion of the survey area. The aquifer systems have the characteristics of 100 m width, 6.6 m depth and thickness of 2.4 m in the north-east and 2.8 m in the north-west. The site most appropriate for high-rise building is at the south –western part of the survey area with a shallow depth of 1.88 m.