Estimation of Sedimentary Thickness of Parts of Upper Benue Trough, Nigeria, using Integrated High Resolution Aeromagnetic and GRACE data

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.

2 Federal University of Technology Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.

3 Department of Industrial Physics Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu State, Nigeria.

4 Federal University of Allied Health Sciences, Enugu State, Nigeria.

Abstract

High-resolution aeromagnetic and gravity data from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) were analyzed to evaluate the sedimentary thickness and hydrocarbon potential of parts of the Upper Benue Trough in Nigeria. The study area is bounded by latitudes 9.0° to 10.0° North and longitudes 10.0° to 12.5° East, and covers approximately 30,250 km². Total Magnetic Intensity (TMI) and Bouguer gravity anomaly grids were generated using Oasis Montaj 8.4 software and subjected to polynomial fitting for regional–residual separation and qualitative interpretation. The magnetic and gravity fields exhibit similar regional trends, indicating that both deep and shallow sources are influenced by a common tectonic framework. Quantitative analysis using Source Parameter Imaging (SPI) and Euler deconvolution was performed to estimate the sedimentary thickness of the area. The magnetic and gravity SPI depth results ranged from -207.4 to -3523.0 m and -115.7 to -3767.3 m, respectively. The magnetic Euler depth values varied between 413.3 m and -3597.5 m, while gravity Euler depths ranged from 600.6 to -3606.4 m. The unconventional appearance of the gravity SPI and Euler depth maps is attributed to the coarse resolution and long-wavelength nature of satellite gravity data compared to the high resolution, near-surface sensitivity of aeromagnetic data. The maximum sedimentary thickness of -3767.3 m indicates adequate sediment accumulation for hydrocarbon generation. Areas such as Bashar, Yuli, Futuk, Dong, and Guyok are characterized by low gravity and magnetic anomalies with relatively deep basement depths, signifying zones of enhanced sedimentary deposition that are favorable for hydrocarbon entrapment.

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References

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Journal of the Earth and Space Physics
Volume 51, Issue 4
online publication date: 17 March 2026
March 2026
Pages 1-12

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