Journal of Earth Sciences and Geotechnical Engineering

Conjunctive use of magnetic and radiometric surveys for mapping of ferruginous sandstone horizons in Yola area, Nigeria

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• Abstract

  As part of a community development based research, an integrated magnetic and radiometric survey was done in part of the Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola over areas of exposed /outcropping ferruginous sandstone belonging to Bima Formation of the Yola Rift Sedimentary Basin. The aim was to see if the magnetic/radiometric surveys can be used to effectively map such deposits which are locally quarried and used for construction purposes. A proton precession magnetometer and a Gamma Scout radiometer were used for each aspect of the survey. The radiometric survey served to reduce ambiguity in interpretation of the magnetic anomalies. Generally from field observations there is an inverse relationship between the ferruginous and the feldspar contents of the sandstone. Hence areas of high magnetic anomalies are some-times coincident with areas of low radiometry. A ground follow up of mapped anomalies showed that some magnetic anomalies coincide with ferruginous outcrops, while the rest of the magnetic anomalies are attributed to sub-cropping ferruginous sandstones. The magnetic exploration technique is recommended for the exploration of the sandstones in Yola area, this will help to prolong the lives of the existing quarries, fast track exploitation and economically empower the local populace.