Earth Science Malaysia (ESMY)

The aerial gravity data of Lafia and Akiri areas were interpreted quantitatively to map surface and deep earth structures responsible for the gravity anomalies within the study area. This entails using grids on which the anomalous values obtained at different stations are plotted and contours drawn at appropriate intervals using Oasis Montaj software. The Bouguer anomaly obtained from the study varies from -66.0 mGal to 28.4 mGal while the residual Bouguer anomaly is from -30.5 mGal to 27.7 mGal. The Bouguer gravity data was subjected to forward and inverse modeling analysis using PotentQ 3D software. The results obtained from the forward ,and inverse modeling of the airborne gravity data shows the density values as: 2.550, 2.630 and 0.074 g/cm3 for the modeled profiles 1 – 3 respectively, with respective depths of -2943, -1156 and 25 m. The highest depth of -2943 m obtained within the south-eastern part (Akiri) of the study area exhibits thick sediment able to hold more solid mineral than Lafia area with the lowest depth. This study serves as a guide to the mining industries to determine the area with high concentration of solid minerals for economic and sustainable development of the nation.