Geophysical mapping of buried faults in parts of Bida Basin, North Central Nigeria

ABSTRACT High‐resolution aeromagnetic data over the Bida Basin, North Central Nigeria has been analysed to investigate the possible continuity of Ifewara fault zone, through the Bida Basin, to Zungeru fault zone. Analytic signal magnitude, horizontal gradient magnitude, and Euler deconvolution methods were applied to the aeromagnetic data to delineate the subsurface structures. The results showed that a prominent NNE–SSW trending fault associated with the Ifewara fault zone extends through the study area. Other faults trending in the ENE–WSW, NE–SW, NW–SE, E–W, and WNW–ESE directions were also mapped. Interpreted models revealed the presence of intrusives and a possible mineralised zone within the study area. We therefore concluded that the inferred fault zones within the basin have affinity with the trend of the Ifewara fault zone, which is an indication of possible extension and linkage with Zungeru fault zone through the Bida Basin.