MAPPING AND ANALYSIS OF THE DENSITY OF LINEAMENTS OF THE YOUNGER GRANITE COMPLEXES OF JOS AND ENVIRONS NORTHCENTRAL NIGERIA

Abstract

Mapping and analysis of the density of lineaments around the Younger Granite complexes of Jos and environs in north central Nigeria were conducted by visual and manual inspections from three data sources, which were later combined to form the fourth source. Positively skewed values are characteristic results of statistical analysis of the data. Numerical values of lineament frequencies in the various class intervals range from zero for relatively stable environments to sixty-three where intensity of emplacement of the rock bodies were relatively high. Major lineament trends were found in conjugate NE–SW and NW–SE orientations. Main structural directions of the rose diagrams are the NE–SW, NNE–SSW and NW–SE and the structurally directions derived from 2D maps are aligned along NE–SW, NW–SE, N–S and E–W. These trends are consistent with the trends of the Nigerian Basement Complex and the Younger Granite complexes of Nigeria. The density and orientation of the fracture lines revealed areas of greater lineament development in the study area occurring over the surface expression of the Younger Granite complexes of Jos and environs intrusion and other rock units. This study is significant for evaluation of the geo-processes that generates stress and produces deformational effects capable of changing the shapes of the rock by fracturing, Joints with other linear structures being observed on the various rock units and understanding the patterns of structural trend in the Younger Granite complexes of Jos and environs in north central Nigeria.