Geologic mapping and basement–sediment contact delineation along Profile X, Igarra–Auchi area, Southern Nigeria using ground magnetic and electromagnetic methods

Abstract

AbstractOutcrop mapping as well as electromagnetic and ground magnetic surveys was carried out within Auchi and Igarra localities in order to attempt an interpretation of the geology of the areas and to delineate the boundary between basement and sedimentary terrains. Geologic mapping was done by collecting samples of outcrops at five different locations within the areas. Three lithofacies were identified within Auchi area and they are the basal shale unit, tabular cross-bedded sandstone unit and ferruginized sandstone unit. The pebbly shale is greyish black in colour; the cross-bedded sandstone unit is greyish white, coarse-grained at the base and finer at the top with pockets of clay, while the ferruginized sandstone is dark red. Rocks of the Precambrian basement complex underlie Igarra area. The area is underlain by metasediments that have been intruded by igneous rocks. Results show the presence of three major groups of igneous and metamorphic rocks within the area, and they are the migmatite–gneiss complex, metasediments and porphyritic granites. The electromagnetic and ground magnetic data acquired along Profile X located along Auchi–Igarra–Ibillo road were processed using Microsoft Excel Software and the resulting plots delineated areas with lower electrical conductivities and higher magnetic susceptibilities, as well as areas with higher electrical conductivities and lower magnetic susceptibilities. The areas with lower electrical conductivities and higher magnetic susceptibilities are interpreted to be underlain by basement rocks, while the areas with higher electrical conductivities and lower magnetic susceptibilities are underlain by sedimentary rocks. The plots also delineated the most likely basement–sedimentary boundary in the area.