Determination of Depth to Magnetic Basement Using Spectral Analysis of Aeromagnetic Data over Biu Plateau Basalt and Yola Sub - basin, North East Nigeria

Abstract

Quantitative analysis of aeromagnetic data covering total area of 48,000 km2 on latitude 11.000 N to 13.000 N and Longitude 9.000 E to 11.000E, which corresponds to Basement Complex part of upper Benue trough northeastern, Nigeria was carried out with the aim of estimating the sedimentary thickness using Spectral analysis. Two dimensional spectral analyses of aeromagnetic data using Oasis Montaj was carried out to determine the average depths of magnetic basement over Biu Plateau Basalt and Yola Sub - basin, north east Nigeria. The results reveal the presence of two source depths that is the deeper and shallow source depth. The deeper magnetic sources vary between 900 to 3810 m and the shallower magnetic sources; vary between 340 to 810 m. The deeper sources correspond to the basement topography underlying the area, while the shallower magnetic sources are associated with basic intrusive within the Middle Benue Trough and the adjoining basement formed by the Cameroon Volcanic line. Areas of deeper magnetic basement are potential sites for hydrocarbon exploration within the Benue rift and groundwater exploration on the basement area.