Delineation of Magnetic Zones of Tambuwal Basin, Northwestern Nigeria, Using Aeromagnetic Data

Abstract

Magnetic method is one of the best geophysical technics used for determining depth to magnetic source bodies, possible sediment thickness and delineating subsurface structures. An aeromagnetic intensity contour map sheet 50 of Tambuwal Sokoto state basin was acquired, digitized and analyzed using Oasis-Montaj v8.4. The study aimed to digitize the aeromagnetic map, produce the total magnetic intensity map (TMI) and performs upward continuation of the TMI at 2km, 5km, 10km, 15km and 20km.The map was acquired from Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) and visual interpolation method was used to digitize the map. Data obtained was used to produce the Total Magnetic Intensity (TMI) and the Residual Maps which were used in finding out the clear picture of the surface area in terms of TMI values. The Residual Magnetic Map was subjected to upward continuation techniques which are applied at 2km, 5km, 10km 15km and 20km. The result of the study area revealed tha,t the northern part of the area has higher sedimentation. The areas with relatively thicker sediments are identified as probable sites for prospect of hydrocarbon accumulation in the area. Therefore, exploration of this areas of study is a worth given and a push to economic development, there is therefore need to take advantage of modern geophysical methods in the exploration of areas of this nature within the country.