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Curie depth estimated from high-resolution aeromagnetic data of parts of lower and middle Benue trough (Nigeria)

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Abstract

To quantitatively understand the geodynamic process of a region, study of geothermal parameters underneath the earth surface is very paramount. Curie depth can be an alternative to delineate geothermal parameters. In the present study, we estimated Curie depths from the power spectra of 25 equally window sizes areas/points with 50% overlap extracted from high-resolution aeromagnetic anomalies of parts of lower and middle Benue Trough, Nigeria using modified centroid method based on fractal distribution of magnetic sources. Curie depths with associated uncertainties calculated from the region under study are between 11 ± 2 and 27 ± 2 km. The shallowest depth (11 ± 2) km is calculated around the area of Abakaliki whereas the deepest depth is calculated around Otukpa area of Anambra basin. The shallowest Curie depth as calculated is related with the Abakaliki anticlinorium while the deepest result is in connection with the Anambra basin. These suggest that different geological structures and magnetic anomalies (i.e. high or low magnetic anomaly) influenced the calculated Curie depth results. In the region, it is noted that lower Curie depths (14–18 km) are recorded over the basement rocks and Curie depths between 18 and 22 km within zones of volcanoes. The interpretation hypothesized presence of underplating in the crust and possibly mantle plume as a result of the Mesozoic–Cenozoic volcanic magmatism (magmatic centers) mostly basalts distributed and scattered in the region. It has also been hypothesized that the uncertainties calculated (± 0.2 to ± 5.0) in the region correlate more strongly with the geology, tectonic structures and type of anomalies than estimated Curie depths.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledged the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), Abuja office for providing the high-resolution aeromagnetic data for this work. We are also happy to acknowledge the constructive comments of the two anonymous reviewers and the editor; Prof. Norbert Péter Szabó. The comments have improved the original submission of this manuscript.

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  1. Physics Unit, Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Modibbo Adama University of Technology, P.M.B. 2076, West Africa, Yola, Nigeria

    Mukaila Abdullahi

  2. Shillong Geophysical Research Centre, Indian Institute of Geomagnetism Mumbai, Shillong, 793005, India

    Raj Kumar

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  1. Mukaila Abdullahi
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Correspondence to Mukaila Abdullahi.

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Abdullahi, M., Kumar, R. Curie depth estimated from high-resolution aeromagnetic data of parts of lower and middle Benue trough (Nigeria). Acta Geod Geophys 55, 627–643 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40328-020-00314-4

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