Geology and Structural Studies of Precambrian Basement Rocks Around Mahuta, Zuru Schist Belt, Northwestern Nigeria

Abstract

The study of geology and structures in part of Zuru schist belt northwestern Nigeria was aimed at understanding the rock units, mineralogy, structural configuration, distribution and deformation. This was achieved through lineament analysis, petrographic study and structural analysis (geometric, kinematic and dynamic). Lineament analysis revealed the distribution, relative abundance and orientations of linear-curvilinear features. Three (3) main lithologic units were revealed; medium-grained granite, quartz-mica schist, and quartzite while minor ones are quartz vein, quartzofeldspathic pegmatite and aplitic dyke; this was arrived at because of minerals assemblages like quartz, feldspars, biotite, and muscovite. Structural analysis revealed the presence of normal fault, strike-slip fault and systematic joint (orthogonal). The joints trend is dominantly NE-SW, N-S, E-W. The normal faults reveal maximum principal stress (σ1) orientation in 087, the intermediate stress (σ2) was oriented in 222 while the minimum stress (σ3) was oriented in 312 directions. The kinematic axes revealed from the fault data are P-axis (Compressional) is 87/087; B-axis (Tensional) is 02/222 while T-axis (Transpressional) is 02/312. The component of deformation of the normal fault is elongated by 10-30 cm, while the vertical deformation effect is neutral. The area experienced multiple phases of deformation. The study will aid in mineral exploration.