DEPTH TO MAGNETIC SOURCES DETERMINATION USING SOURCE PARAMETER IMAGING (SPI) OF AEROMAGNETIC DATA OF PARTS OF CENTRAL AND NORTH-EASTERN NIGERIA: A RECONNAISSANCE TOOL FOR GEOTHERMAL EXPLORATION IN THE AREA

Abstract

Source Parameter Imaging (SPI) of aeromagnetic data covering an area located approximately between latitude 7.5o N and 11.5o N and longitude 7.5o E and 10.5o E, which corresponds to parts of the Benue trough (lower part of the Upper Benue trough, the entire middle Benue trough, and upper part of the Lower Benue trough), lower part of the Gongola and Yola Basins, the Precambrian Basement, the Jurassic Younger Granites and two prominent hot Springs, Wiki hot spring in Bauchi state (in the north-eastern part) and Akiri hot spring in Nasarawa state (in the south-western part) of central and north-eastern Nigeria, was carried out for the purpose of estimating the depth to magnetic basement of the area. The estimated depths to magnetic sources from Source parameter imaging (SPI), range from 0.12 to 12.26 km. The highest depth can be found at the south-western part of the study area. The depth to magnetic basement is shallower mainly in the north and extreme north-eastern parts of the study area with magnetic high flanking areas of magnetic low. The above characteristics of these areas and the location of warm springs at the north-eastern and south-western parts of the study area (Wikki and Akiri hot springs respectively). Which suggests the occurrence of tectonic activities in the area, hence is an indication that, there might probably be good sources for geothermal and thereby recommended for both geothermal exploration and exploitation.