Research Article Open Access

Assessment of Geothermal Energy Potential of Ruwan Zafi, Adamawa State and Environs, Northeastern Nigeria, using High Resolution Airborne Magnetic Data

Ibe Stephen Onyejiuwaka1 and Uche Kelvin Iduma2
  • 1 Federal University Otuoke, Nigeria
  • 2 Nigerian Geological Survey Agency, Nigeria

Abstract

The aeromagnetic dataset over Ruwan Zafi, Adamawa State and environs, Northeastern Nigeria, was interpreted in this study, in order to map out places with the potentials for application of geothermal energy for electricity generation and geothermal direct heating. The analysis of the spectral of the magnetic dataset delineated the range of the sediment thickness as 4273.58 and 8693.32 m and top boundary to magnetic bodies estimated at depths ranging from 89.62 to 235.38 m, within the study area. The range of the estimated basal depth is between 8.40 and 17.16 km; the geothermal gradient range is between 33.79 and 69.01°C/km and the associated mantle heat flow varies from about 84.48 to 172.53 mW/m2. The results suggest that the geothermal prospect areas delineated in this study, are most likely the areas where thin layer of thermally insulated sediments cover the basement rocks and volcanic activities, or the places with the shallowest depth to magnetic sources, as observed in Lamurde, Ruwan Zafi, Lafia, Kiri, Banjiran and Shellen Areas. Also, the geothermal gradient greater than 48.11°C/km and heat flow greater than 120.26 mW/m2 in these areas reflect high potentials of the occurrences of geothermal resources in those places

Current Research in Geoscience
Volume 10 No. 1, 2020, 1-15

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3844/ajgsp.2020.1.15

Submitted On: 10 May 2020 Published On: 4 December 2020

How to Cite: Onyejiuwaka, I. S. & Iduma, U. K. (2020). Assessment of Geothermal Energy Potential of Ruwan Zafi, Adamawa State and Environs, Northeastern Nigeria, using High Resolution Airborne Magnetic Data. Current Research in Geoscience, 10(1), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.3844/ajgsp.2020.1.15

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Keywords

  • Ruwan Zafi Area
  • Basal Depth
  • Geothermal Gradient
  • Heat Flow
  • Geothermal Prospect