Structural study of the transition zone between the Benue and Lake Chad Basins (Central Africa) using gravity data

Abstract

This work is a contribution to the structural knowledge of the transition zone between the Benue and Lake Chad basins in Central Africa. To achieve this aim, gravity data analysis techniques such as polynomial separation, upward continuation, horizontal gradient and 3D gravity inversion method have been applied to the gravity data of this zone. The separate and upward-continue maps show significant anomalies. The new structural map of the study area presents 24 lineaments of N-S, NNW-SSE and SE-NW directions. The depth configuration map obtained reveals that the maximum depth of the basement in the study area is approximately 2.2 km. The results of this study show that despite the barriers that separate the two sedimentary basins there is a possibility of having a communication channel between the two basins to the West of the study area. This channel could pass between the localities of Garoua, Belel, Figuil and Bourrha.