APPLICATION OF BOUGUER GRAVITY DATA TO ESTIMATE CRUSTAL THICKNESS OVER PARTS OF SOUTHERN NIGERIA

Abstract

In this study, Spectral analysis of the bouguer anomalies was utilised on the bouguer gravity data covering the study area from which the depth ranges to the major density interfaces (basement surface, Conrad and crustal thickness) were determined by dividing the bouguer gravity map into thirty (30) sections Results obtained show three major depths with an average crustal thickness ranges from -30.2 to -35.6 km. These values obtained within the study area suggest that the region is tectonically stable, which implies that the crustal thickness and density have influence on the tectonic stability of the study region. Hence, the area is located in a non-major fractured zone.