Examination of the potential for geothermal energy in parts of the Benue trough, Nigeria, through the use of high-resolution aeromagnetic data

Authors

  • Joseph Aza Ahile Department of Physics, Modibbo Adama University, Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria
  • Osita Chukwudi Meludua Department of Physics, Modibbo Adama University, Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria
  • Adetola Sunday Oniku Department of Physics, Modibbo Adama University, Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria
  • Sebastian Abraham Sunu Department of Physics, Modibbo Adama University, Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria
  • Lucky Peter Kenda Department of Physics, Taraba State University, Jalingo, Taraba state, Nigeria
  • Simon Kwarki Department of Physics Education, Federal College of Education (Technical), Gombe, Gombe State, Nigeria
  • Joseph Orojah Osumeje Department of Physics, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna state, Nigeria

Keywords:

High-Resolution data, Curie Point Depth, Geothermal gradient, thermal transfer, Geothermal potentials

Abstract

Aeromagnetic data from nine sheets covering parts of Benue Trough Nigeria were analyzed to identify potential geothermal locations. The aeromagnetic data sheets were analyzed with Oasis Montaj 8.4, Matlab 7.5, Arcmap 10.7.1, and Surfer 13 combined. The centroid depth method was used to spectrally evaluate the depth of high-resolution aeromagnetic data. The findings showed that the research area's geothermal heat flow values range from 88.52259 mW/m2 to 166.2844 mW/m2, while the Curie Point Depth values range from 8.55 km to 16.38 km with a mean depth of 12.2068 km. The Geothermal Gradient values vary from 35.40904 ℃/km to 66.51376 ℃/km with a mean value of 48.85639 ℃/km. The region's mean thermal transfer is 122.1410 mW/m2. It appears that the Curie Point Depth is highest for the lowest thermal transfer values and lowest for the highest thermal transfer values. The study area's heat flow measurements indicate that the crust is oceanic. The comprehensive geothermal data this study provides may aid the study area's exploitation of geothermal energy. Given the extremely high heat flow recorded, there is a likelihood that the studied area has geothermal energy sources. As a result, it was observed that practically the entire study region had substantial heat flow (>80 mW/m2), suggesting the possibility of a geothermal energy source.

Dimensions

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Published

2024-11-28

How to Cite

Examination of the potential for geothermal energy in parts of the Benue trough, Nigeria, through the use of high-resolution aeromagnetic data. (2024). Recent Advances in Natural Sciences, 2(2), 124. https://doi.org/10.61298/rans.2024.2.2.124

Issue

Volume 2, Issue 2, December 2024 (In Progress)

Section

Articles
Copyright & Licensing

Copyright (c) 2024 Joseph Aza Ahile, Osita Chukwudi Meludua, Adetola Sunday Oniku, Sebastian Abraham Sunu, Lucky Peter Kenda, Simon Kwarki, Joseph Orojah Osumeje

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Examination of the potential for geothermal energy in parts of the Benue trough, Nigeria, through the use of high-resolution aeromagnetic data. (2024). Recent Advances in Natural Sciences, 2(2), 124. https://doi.org/10.61298/rans.2024.2.2.124