Citation: Usman A et al (2021). Structural Analysis of Selected Ring Complexes in Some Parts of the Nigerian Younger
Granite Provinces. Saudi J Eng Technol, 6(12): 467-475.
467
Saudi Journal of Engineering and Technology
Abbreviated Key Title: Saudi J Eng Technol
ISSN 2415-6272 (Print) |ISSN 2415-6264 (Online)
Scholars Middle East Publishers, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Journal homepage: https://saudijournals.com
Original Research Article
Structural Analysis of Selected Ring Complexes in Some Parts of the
Nigerian Younger Granite Provinces
Usman A
1*
, Lawan AM
2
, Lawal MM
3
, Jonathan LA
4
, Sununu ST
5
1, 3-5
Department of Physics Kebbi State University of Science and Technology Aliero
2
Department of Geology Skyline University Kano
DOI: 10.36348/sjet.2021.v06i12.004 | Received: 03.11.2021 | Accepted: 05.12.2021 | Published: 16.12.2021
*Corresponding author: Usman A
Abstract
The study area falls within the basement complex of northcentral Nigeria and covers four adjacent quarter degree sheets
of 126 (Ririwai), 127 (Kalatu), 147 (Lere) and 148 (Toro) in some parts of Kaduna, Bauchi and Plateau States, Nigeria.
This paper is aimed at interpreting the Aeromagnetic data to delineate structures in some parts of the Nigerian younger
granite province. This was achieved by determining depth to basement, and developing a 2D model of the shape, location
and depth of structures in some parts of the younger granite province. The anomalies on the aeromagnetic map were
defined by fitting a first order polynomial to the total fields, by the method of least squares to obtain the residual field
data. First vertical derivative and analytic signal computed, defined distinct pattern of the magnetic signatures. Depths to
the source of the geologic structures where obtained from Werner and Euler deconvolution solutions which gives an
average depths range of 231.2 m to 1040 m, with very few solutions having depths less than 200 m, the most prominent
structure particularly the Ririwai ring complex have a depth range of 337.5 m to 465.5 m. The depth to basement for
Werner solution ranged from 60 m to 420 m and the depth to basement of the contact model is shallow with depth of (60
to 420m) as compared to the dike model (200 to 420 m).
Keyword: Werner Deconvolution; Euler Deconvolution; Analytic Signal; Model; Vertical derivatives; Younger Granite;
Ring Complex.
Copyright © 2021 The Author(s): This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
License (CC BY-NC 4.0) which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium for non-commercial use provided the original
author and source are credited.
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction
The topography of Nigeria is influenced by
planar and linear structures resulting from ductile and
brittle deformational events [15]. The structures
generally have N-S, NE-SW, NW-SE and sometimes E-
W trends [23]. Regional strikes of foliations in
basement rocks, lithologic boundaries, fold axes and
axial planes maintain the N-S Pan-African imprint.
The younger Granite province of Nigeria
occupies an area of about 22,000km
2
and is located in
the central part of Nigeria. The Younger Granite are a
set of Jurassic ring complexes of Pre-Cambrian age.
About forty ring complexes have been reported to date
and these are scattered over much of the central plateau
region of Nigeria with a few located on the fringes of
Benue Trough [16]. The Younger Granite are typically
circular to elliptical in outline and have diameters which
range from 10km to 25km. They are often composed of
outer ring dyke of fayalite granite porphyry which
surround down- faulted volcanic and basement rocks as
well as an inner core of composite granitic intrusion
[6]Younger Granite contains important precious
minerals such as cassiterite, beryllium, columbite,
ryanite, silimanite and other accessory minerals of
economic importance. Nigeria’s tin field which are
among the most important in the world are closely
associated with younger granite province. The ages of
the granite decreases from North to South [22].
However since geologic features are often
large, structural analyses are conducted on regional
scales, to provide a comprehensive look and a concise
information about the extent of faults, folds, lineaments
and other structural features. These therefore require
small-scale imagery to cover the extent of the element
of interest. This study is intended to obtain information
about the depths to magnetic sources, their orientation,
shape and sizes. Thereby helps in gaining better insight
of the structural set-up in the area.