Analysis of Surface and Magnetic Lineaments in and Around Wase Area of Northern Nigeria

Abstract

Aeromagnetic data over Wase and its adjoining areas were obtained and analyzed for delineation and analysis of magnetic (subsurface) and surface lineaments which often act as hosts or structural control on mineralization in basement areas. The magnetic lineaments were inferred from the colour shaded map of the first vertical gradient of the residual magnetic field. Lineament contour maps of the magnetic and surface lineaments showed correlation between the areas of highest lineaments density with the exposed basement areas and low lineament density with the sedimentary parts of the area. Also, the lineament length density maps of the surface and magnetic lineaments suggested that the study area was affected by different stress regimes of various intensities at different geological times.The rose diagram of the lineaments showed that the lineaments were oriented along NE-SW, E-W, NNE-SSW and NW-SE major trends and a minor trend along ENE-WSW direction and that some of the magnetic (subsurface) lineaments have propagated to the surface. Generally areas associated with lineaments in the high first vertical derivative gradient areas were recommended for further mineral investigations.