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Mapping of Subsurface Geological Structures using Ground Magnetic and

Electrical Resistivity Methods within Lead City University, Southwestern
Nigeria

Article · May 2020

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Mapping of Subsurface Geological Structures using Ground Magnetic ......... within Lead City University, Southwestern Nigeria Adebo, B. A et al

Mapping of Subsurface Geological Structures using Ground Magnetic and

Electrical Resistivity Methods within Lead City University, Southwestern Nigeria

Adebo, B. A.1, Layade, G. O.2, Ilugbo, S. O.3, Hamzat, A. A.4 and Otobrise, H. K.5
1, 4, 5
Department of Physics, Lead City University Ibadan, Nigeria
2
Department of Physics, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Nigeria
3
Department of Applied Geophysics, Federal University of Technology Akure, Nigeria
Corresponding author's e-mail: adeboistalking@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
Integrated geophysical methods involving ground magnetic and electrical resistivity methods
were adopted in this study for the purpose of delineating subsurface geological structure within
Lead City University, Ibadan, Nigeria. Four geophysical traverses were established; traverses
one (1) and four (4) were established in east-west direction while traverses two (2) and three (3)
in the south-north direction were occupied for Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) and ten
profile lines in east-west directions for ground magnetic method using Proton Precision
Magnetometer and Omega Resistivity meter respectively. A total of thirty four points were
acquired for VES in the study area. Magnetic method shows gradient of diagnostic structural
changes interpreted in term of fractures and fault. The geoelectrical parameters determined
from interpretation of the Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) revealed that the area is
underlain by four geoelectric layers corresponding to topsoil, weathered layer, fractured
basement and fresh basement. The overburden thickness within study area is generally thin
indicating that the basement is generally shallow. The integration of the results from the
different geophysical techniques employed established effective correlation and relationship
with allowance for speculations.

Keywords: Ground magnetic, Geoelectric sections, geological structures, Lithologies, Weak

zone

Introduction geological surroundings (Aubert 1984).

Geophysical techniques which can be taken
with denser measurement spacing than direct
sampling and involve much less costs, are
potentially useful in characterizing building
sites with adequate accuracy when large sites
are to be studied (Adelusi et al. 2013). These
methods are able to investigate and determine
parameters and subsurface characteristics such
as soil properties, bedrock depth and its
topography below unconsolidated material,
rock type, layer boundaries, water table depth
and presence of weak zones and expansive
clays (Ilugbo et al. 2018). Furthermore, these
investigations provide information on
inhomogeneities of the subsurface, presence of
cavities, ancient relics and generally
underground structures or bodies that have
different physical properties from their
Kada Journal of Physics Vol. 2 (2)
Geophysical and geotechnical results could be
combined to ascertain the in-situ properties of
the subsurface. Engineering geophysics
combined with geotechnical engineering focus
on the behavior and performance of soils and
rocks in the design and construction of civil,
environmental and mining engineering
structures. The two methods are often the most
cost-effective and rapid means of obtaining
subsurface information, especially when the
area involved is large (Soupios 2007; Soupios
et al. 2007; Oyedele and Bankole 2009).
Surface magnetic and electrical resistivity
geophysical field methods are widely used for
groundwater, environmental and engineering
studies of the Earth. These methods measure
magnetic properties and electrical contrasts
associated with earth materials. For instance,
both magnetic and resistivity methods have
December, 2019
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Mapping of Subsurface Geological Structures using Ground Magnetic ......... within Lead City University, Southwestern Nigeria Adebo, B. A et al

been successfully used in detection of 1,300 mm (NSRMEA, 1994). The area enjoys
mineshafts (Tsokas et al. 1998) and dam site a tropical climate with two distinct seasons
investigations (Aina et al. 1996). These comprising of rainy seasons (April to October)
techniques are also important in delineating and Dry season (November to March). Mean
dipping formations and disruption in rocks monthly maximum temperature values from
0 0
units, structural trends, lithologic boundaries 30 C to 35 C which is recorded between April
and contacts, faults, etc. within basement rocks and May. While the mean minimum monthly
(Olorunfemi et al. 1986). The basement rocks temperature ranges between 17 0C to 21 0C in
are often overlain by relatively flat-lying, December and January.
sedimentary strata, which obscure the
basement from direct view, but are largely
transparent for geopotential fields. Due to
conductive nature of deep weathering impacts
and magnetization properties of the underlying
basement rock, primarily migmatite-gneiss,
both electrical and magnetic geophysical
surveys are relevant in studying the subsurface
characteristics and hydrogeological
significance of aquifer types in this area. In the
present study, combinations of surface
geophysical investigation techniques utilizing
Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) and
ground magnetic surveying are used to
delineate subsurface geological fissures. The
methods were employed to determine the
subsurface electrical stratification, the
presence of structures like weak zones and
faults, contact between lithologic units and the
depth to the possible basements and its
undulation/morphology. The purpose of this
work is to delineate the subsurface geological
structure at a location in Lead City University,
Ibadan, Nigeria using ground magnetic and
electrical resistivity methods.

Description of the Study Area
The area investigated lies around Lead City
University is located along the Ibadan-Lagos
express way southwest Nigeria (Figure 1),
located on 7, 21, 1.38 to 7, 22, 22.67 latitude
and 3, 51, 38.59 to 3, 52, 43.98 longitude using
geographics (WGS84). Major and minor road
linkages characterize the study area. The
topography of the area is generally flat and
punctuated in some areas by hilly ridges and
gentle steeps. Topographic elevations vary
from about 320 to 390 m above sea level. It has
an annual rainfall of between 1,100 mm and
Fig. 1 Base Map of the Study Area
Geology of the Study Area
Regionally, the study area is concealed within
the Southwestern Nigeria basement complex
composing migmatite-gness complex,
metaigneous rock such as pelitic schist,
quartzite, amphibolites, charnokitic rocks,
older granite and unmetamorphorsed dolerite
dykes. The rock sequence consists of basically
weathered quartzite older granite. The
basement complex rocks of Nigeria are made
up of heterogeneous assemblages (Ramahan
1976). Lead City University, located along the

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Mapping of Subsurface Geological Structures using Ground Magnetic ......... within Lead City University, Southwestern Nigeria Adebo, B. A et al

Ibadan-Lagos express way, forms part of the Schlumberger array was employed with
Western Nigeria basement environment. The electrode separations (AB) ranging from 1 to
basement complex is characterized by highly 100 m. The VES points were made across the
rugged terrain with rocks comprising mainly traverses adopted for the magnetic survey; the
low permeable and less porous apparent resistivity values were calculated.
undifferentiated older granite, migmatite The apparent resistivity measurements at each
gneiss, quartzite and morphology granite station were plotted against electrode spacing
gneiss with schist impregnation (Rahaman (AB/2) on bi-logarithmic graph sheets. The
1988). Due to conductive nature of deep curves were inspected to determine the number
weathering impacts and magnetization and nature of the layering.
properties of the underlying basement rock,
primarily migmatite-gneiss, both electrical Partial curve matching was carried out for the
and magnetic geophysical surveys are relevant quantitative interpretation of the curves. The
in studying the subsurface characteristics and results of the curve matching (layer
hydrogeological significance of aquifer types resistivities and thicknesses) was fed into the
in this area. computer as a starting model in an iterative
forward modeling technique using RESIST
Methods version 1.0 (Vander Velper, 1988). From the
The ground magnetic and Vertical Electrical interpretation results (layer resistivities and
Sounding (VES) technique was adopted in this thicknesses), geoelectric sections along
work (Figure 2). The ground magnetic traverses was produced and correlated with the
investigations were carried out using foot magnetic profiles for proper understanding of
Geometrics 856 Proton Precision the subsurface structures.
Magnetometer and Garmin Global Positioning
System (GPS) navigational Equipment for
real-time measurements. A base station was
carefully selected and established near the
study area where the magnetometer was used
continuously to correct for diurnal variations
of earth magnetic field and other sources of
external origin. One magnetic measurement
was taken per station while a total of 5 readings
were taken at the base stations together with
readings of the time. The mean of the magnetic
measurements was adopted as the raw data for
each observed stations. The acquired data was
drift corrected. Corrected magnetic data was
plotted against station positions using
Microsoft Excel to produce the magnetic
profiles along the traverses. Magnetic lows and
magnetic highs were observed within the
different stations to characterize the profiles.
This method was used as a geophysical tool to
map out the study area for basement structures.

Vertical electrical soundings (VES) were

conducted within the study area using
geophysical Omega resistivity meter.
Fig. 2 Data Acquisition Map of the Study Area.

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Mapping of Subsurface Geological Structures using Ground Magnetic ......... within Lead City University, Southwestern Nigeria Adebo, B. A et al

Results and Discussion Traverse four (4) respectively.

The results are presented as depth sounding
curves, geoelectric sections and profiles. Each
of the discussion of the results was done along
each traverses for the methods employed in
these research that is, along the Traverse one
(1), Traverse two(2), Traverse three (3) and
Vertical Electrical Sounding
The number of layers delineated by the curves
varies between three and five layers. The VES
curves are H, HA, A and HKH type as shown in
Figure 3 (a-d) with the HA type predominating.

Fig. 3a Typical 'H' sounding curve

Fig. 3b Typical 'HA' sounding curve

Fig. 3c Typical 'A' sounding curve

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Mapping of Subsurface Geological Structures using Ground Magnetic ......... within Lead City University, Southwestern Nigeria
Fig. 3d Typical 'HKH' sounding curve
Geoelectric Sections
Four geoelectric sections were generated
within the study area, and maximum of four
geologic layers were delineated: the top soil,
weathered layer, fractured basement and the
fresh basement. The geoelectric section shows
two dimensional or cross sectional impression
of the subsurface. Topography of the bedrock
along the profile can be seen from the sections.
Bedrock depression and ridges are identifiable
in the bedrock relief.
On traverse one the geoelectric section is
composed of all the nine VES points on
traverse one (Figure 4a). It is made up of four
geoelectric layers namely; Topsoil, weathered
layer, fractured basement and fresh basement.
The topsoil comprises of clayey sand and sand
with resistivity values ranging from 21 ohm-m
to 437 ohm-m with thickness ranging from
0.8m to 1.5m. The weathered layer comprises
of clay, sandy clay, clayey sand and sand with
resistivity values ranging from 64 ohm-m to
594 ohm-m with thickness ranging from 2.3m
to 25.9m. The fractured/fresh basement is
characterized by resistivity values ranging
from 8ohm-m to 4081ohm-m, the depth to the
top of the bedrock ranges from 2.5m to 25.7m.
On traverse two the geoelectric section is
composed of all the eight VES points on
traverse two (Figure 4b). It is made up of four
geoelectric layers; Topsoil, weathered layer,
fractured basement and fresh basement. The
topsoil comprises of clayey sand and sand with
resistivity values ranging from 20 ohm-m to
Kada Journal of Physics Vol. 2 (2)
68
Adebo, B. A et al
878 ohm-m with thickness ranging from 0.5m
to 5.4m. The weathered layer comprises of
clay, sandy clay, clayey sand and sand with
resistivity values ranges from 6 ohm-m to 197
ohm-m with thickness range of 2.3m to 29.0m.
The fresh/fractured basement resistivity values
range from 186 ohm-m to 1876 ohm-m, the
depth to the top of the bedrock ranges from
10.3m to 59.9m.
On traverse three the geoelectric section is
composed of all the nine VES points on
traverse three (Figure 4c). It is made up of four
geoelectric layers; Topsoil, weathered layer,
fractured basement and fresh basement. The
topsoil comprises of clayey sand and sand with
resistivity values ranging from 84 ohm-m to
877 ohm-m with thickness ranging from 0.6m
to 1.4m. The weathered layer comprises of
clay, sandy clay, clayey sand and sand with
resistivity values ranges from 2 ohm-m to 151
ohm-m with thickness range of 1.1m to 23m.
The fresh/fractured basement resistivity values
range from 246 ohm-m to 4355 ohm-m, the
depth to the top of the bedrock ranges from
3.7m to 23m.
On traverse four the geoelectric section is
composed of all the eight VES points on
traverse four (Figure 4d). It is made up of four
geoelectric layers; Topsoil, weathered layer,
fractured basement and fresh basement. The
topsoil comprises of clayey sand and sand with
resistivity values ranging from 37 ohm-m to
515 ohm-m with thickness ranging from 0.5m
to 1.2m. The weathered layer comprises of
December, 2019
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Mapping of Subsurface Geological Structures using Ground Magnetic ......... within Lead City University, Southwestern Nigeria Adebo, B. A et al

clay, sandy clay, clayey sand and sand with range from 294 ohm-m to 1300 ohm-m, the
resistivity values ranges from 11 ohm-m to 615 depth to the top of the bedrock ranges from
ohm-m with thickness range of 2.5m to 19.9m. 2.4m to 19.9m.
The fresh/fractured basement resistivity values

Fig. 4a Geoelectric section along traverse 1

Fig. 4b Geoelectric section along traverse 2

Fig. 4c Geoelectric section along traverse 3

Kada Journal of Physics Vol. 2 (2) December, 2019

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Mapping of Subsurface Geological Structures using Ground Magnetic ......... within Lead City University, Southwestern Nigeria Adebo, B. A et al

Fig. 4d Geoelectric section along traverse 4

Magnetic Profiles Profile three, shows the magnetic intensity
The result of the geomagnetic data is presented contrast observed between 32300nT and
as profiles (Figure 5a to Figure 5j) showing the 33200nT at distance between 90 and 101m
variation in magnetic amplitude of the which are indicative of probable fracture
anomaly signature. The magnetic high is zones.
characterized by low amplitude and low
intensity. Profile one, the magnetic intensity
contrast observed between 33050nT and
33200nT at distance between 20 and 30m and
between 33800nT and about 33900nT at
distance ranging between 90 and 101m which
are indicative of probable fracture zones.

Fig. 5c Magnetic Reading on profile three

Profile four, the magnetic intensity contrast

observed between 32400nT and 33700nT at
distance between 10 and 30m which are
indicative of probable fracture zones.

Fig. 5a Magnetic reading on profile 1

Profile two, the magnetic intensity contrast
observed between 32200nT and 33200nT at
distance between 20 and 24 m which are
indicative of probable fracture zones.

Fig 5d Magnetic Reading on profile four

Profile five, the magnetic intensity contrast
observed between 33110nT and 33300nT at
distance between 22 and 31m which are
Fig. 5b Magnetic Reading on Profile two indicative of probable fracture zones.

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Mapping of Subsurface Geological Structures using Ground Magnetic ......... within Lead City University, Southwestern Nigeria Adebo, B. A et al

Fig. 5h Magnetic reading on profile eight

Fig. 5e Magnetic reading on profile five
Profile six, the magnetic intensity contrast Profile nine, the magnetic intensity contrast
observed between 32700nT and 33210nT at observed between 33100nT and 33250nT at
distance between 10 and 20m and between distance between 30 and 40m which are
32900nT and 33220nT at distance ranging indicative of probable fracture zones.
between 70 and 78m which are indicative of
probable fracture zones.

Fig. 5i Magnetic reading on profile nine

Profile ten, the magnetic intensity contrast

Fig. 5f Magnetic reading on profile six observed between 33150nT and 33300nT at
distance between 22 and 30m which are
Profile seven, the magnetic intensity contrast indicative of probable fracture zones.
observed between 33050nT and 33280nT at The magnetic lows are indicative of depressed
distance between 38 and 80m which are zones; the inflection points are indicative of
indicative of probable fracture zones. geologic boundaries or contacts between two
rock types, structural changes within the same
rock type and the presence of lineaments such
as network of joints, fractures and or faults.

Fig. 5g Magnetic reading on profile seven

Profile eight, the magnetic intensity contrast
observed between 330520nT and 33300nT at
distance between 75 and 84m which are
indicative of probable fracture zones. Fig. 5j Magnetic reading on profile ten

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Mapping of Subsurface Geological Structures using Ground Magnetic ......... within Lead City University, Southwestern Nigeria Adebo, B. A et al

Comparison of Results diagnostic of structural changes which were

The magnetic intensity contrast observed at interpreted in form of fractures. The
distance 20 to 30 m coincides with the geoelectrical parameters determined from the
depression observed on the geo-electric interpretation of the Vertical Electrical
section at distance 140 m on traverse one. The Sounding (VES) revealed that the study is
magnetic intensity contrast observed at underlain by four geoelectric layers
distance 30 to 40 m coincides with the corresponding to the topsoil, weathered layer,
depression observed on the geo-electric fractured basement and fresh basement. The
section at distance 140 m on traverse two. The overburden within the study area is generally
magnetic intensity contrast observed at thin which indicates that the basement within
distance 60 to 78 m also coincides with the the area is generally shallow.
depression observed on the geo-electric
section at distance 100 to 120 m on traverse The integration of the results from the
three. These results reveal that the geophysical geophysical techniques employed has been
methods used for this study are able to established effective correlation and
complimentary. The magnetic intensity relationship with allowance for speculations.
contrast observed at distance 80 to 90 m Inferences from the methods have been able to
coincides with the depression observed on the corroborate one another to achieve the aim and
geo-electric section at distance 80 to 140 m on objectives of this study.
traverse three. Based on the results of these
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