Abstract

Aeromagnetic data of Abakaliki area of south eastern Nigeria was analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. For the qualitative analysis, the various enhancement processes such as regional/residual separation, TMI and analytic signal were performed using Oasis Montaj software version 6.4.2. For the quantitative interpretation, Oasis Montaj software was used to generate the SPI map and 3D SPI map while the modelling was carried out using Potent Q, an extension of the Oasis Montaj software. The total magnetic intensity map shows magnetic intensity values ranging from 21.2 – 92.7 (nT), therefore indicating that the study area has very high tendencies of producing magnetic minerals since the intensity values are all positive. The regional map depicts magnetic intensity values ranging from 36.7 – 82.7 (nT) which is a clear indication that the regional indicates a completely magnetic basement trending with the east –west tectonic trends. The modelling results indicate that the north central region and parts of the south eastern region marked A and C are sediment filled and they are suspected of having limestone and rock salt/anhydrite, respectively with an average depth of about 3 km while the regions marked B and D are more of shallow sources as their depth is less than 1 km below the subsurface. The average depth to sediment is about 4 km as seen in the 3D SPI map, hence the possibility of hydrocarbon accumulation is not ruled out.