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

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