Interpretation of High Resolution Aeromagnetic Data to Determine an Alternative Source for Power Generation in Biu Plateau and Environs North Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Interpretation of High Resolution Aeromagnetic data was carried out to determine an Alternative Source of Power generation in Biu Plateau and Environs North Eastern Nigeria, with the aim of estimating the Curie point depth, Geothermal Gradient and Heat flow for geothermal exploration. The data used for this research work was obtained from the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency Abuja. Total intensity Aeromagnetic data used was processed using Computer software Oasis Montaj Version 8.2. The residual data was divided into four overlapping blocks, spectral analysis was performed on the four overlapping blocks where the depth to the top boundary ( Z t ) and the depth to the centroid ( Z 0 ) was obtained. The result obtained indicates that the depth to top boundary ( Z t ) varies between 5.90 to 7.16 km with an average of 6.31 km. The depths Centroid varies between 10.5 to 11.50 km with an average of 10.9 km. Depth to curie points varies between 14.84 to 16.83 km with an average of 15.50 km. Using an empirical formula, Heat flow obtained varies between 86.16 to 97.71 mW·m − 1 ·˚C − 1 with an average of 93.83 mW·m −1 ·˚C −1 and the Geothermal gradient varies between 34.46 to 39.08˚C/km with an average of 37.53˚C/km. Therefore, from the result obtained, it is clear that the study area is a good indicator for geothermal energy potential been a plateau and could be utilized for geothermal exploration of an alternative source for Power generation in Nigeria.