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Article Type

Research Paper

Corresponding Author

OFOHA CHIMEZIE CHARLES

Highlights

  • To determine the crustal temperature distribution and identify potential geothermal zones
  • Spectral analysis was performed on the residual to model D1 (centroid depth), D2 (depth to top), D3 (Curie point depth), Da (average depth), heat flow, and geothermal gradients.
  • The analysis showed that D1 varies from 2.50 km to 14.29 km, with a true value of 9.97 km, while D2 ranges from 1.05 km to 6.25 km, with a true depth of 2.25 km. The D3 values range from 3.75 km to 23.9 km.
  • This study shows a thicker and hotter lithosphere beneath the surface, along with a potential concentration of radioactive and heat-generating elements. The results indicated that the area may be a potential geothermal field and warrant further detailed geothermal exploration using additional geophysical techniques.

Abstract

To determine the crustal temperature distribution and identify potential geothermal zones, high-resolution aeromagnetic data were used to evaluate the Curie Point Depth (CPD), geothermal gradient, and heat flow values for parts of the Niger Delta, Nigeria. Spectral analysis was performed on the residual to model D1 (Centroid depth), D2 (depth to top), D3 (Curie point depth), Da (average depth), heat flow, and geothermal gradients. The analysis showed that D1 varies from 2.50 km to 14.29 km, with a true value of 9.97 km, while D2 ranges from 1.05 km to 6.25 km, with a true depth of 2.25 km. The D3 values range from 3.75 km to 23.9 km. The heat flow in the area ranges from 57.51 to 366.56 mW/m², with an average of 58.36 mW/m², while the geothermal gradient ranges from 24.27 to 154.67 °C/km, with an average of 24.62 °C/km. Therefore, ferromagnetic sources transition to paramagnetic from depths of 3.75 km to 23.9 km, as the temperature within that depth reaches its maximum. At shallow CPD (< 6 km), a high heat flow and geothermal gradient of about 60 mW/m² and an anomalous 1400 °C/km, respectively, were observed. At a greater CPD (11 km), an anomalous heat flow of 366 mW/m² was detected. This suggests a thicker and hotter lithosphere beneath the surface, along with a potential concentration of radioactive and heatgenerating elements. The results indicate that the area could be a potential geothermal field and warrants further detailed geothermal exploration using additional geophysical

Keywords

Curie Point Depth; thickness; Power energy spectrum; Niger Delta, Depth estimate, Oasis Montaj

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