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<p>The West African Sub-region (WAS) is known for its geological diversity, encompassing cratons, basins, and rift zones, which are shaped by complex tectonic processes. This study aims to determine the crustal architecture and thermal structure of the WAS through integrated analysis of gravity and magnetic data, estimate the Curie Point Depth (CPD) distribution and associated heat flow patterns, and investigate the relationships between CPDs, seismicity, and crustal thickness across the region. Our analysis of Bouguer anomaly data revealed distinct correlations with geological features, highlighting density variations across the region. Depth to top of magnetic sources analysis provided insights into shallow crustal structures, with depths &gt; 1.5&#xa0;km. CPD estimations, varying between 7.41 ± 1.13 and 50.88 ± 9.78&#xa0;km, offered crucial information on the region's thermal structure. Heat flow computations derived from CPD estimates ranged from 27.07 to 185.86 mW/m<sup>2</sup>, identifying potential geothermal resources. The study revealed that regions with shallow CPDs (&lt; 30&#xa0;km) correspond to lower-magnitude seismicity, while deeper CPDs (&gt; 30&#xa0;km) correlate with higher magnitude events. Moho depth modeling indicated crustal thicknesses of 25–50&#xa0;km in the continental regions, with shallower depths at coastal boundaries. This multi-faceted approach has significantly enhanced our understanding of the WAS's subsurface architecture and thermal regime, providing valuable insights for future geological and geothermal exploration in the region.</p>

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Crustal thickness and lithospheric thermal state beneath the West African sub-region from modelling gravity and magnetic anomalies

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年6月4日

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  • Ema Abraham,
  • Murad Abdulfarraj,
  • Iheanyi Ikeazota,
  • Cyril Afuwai,
  • Ene Obande

摘要

The West African Sub-region (WAS) is known for its geological diversity, encompassing cratons, basins, and rift zones, which are shaped by complex tectonic processes. This study aims to determine the crustal architecture and thermal structure of the WAS through integrated analysis of gravity and magnetic data, estimate the Curie Point Depth (CPD) distribution and associated heat flow patterns, and investigate the relationships between CPDs, seismicity, and crustal thickness across the region. Our analysis of Bouguer anomaly data revealed distinct correlations with geological features, highlighting density variations across the region. Depth to top of magnetic sources analysis provided insights into shallow crustal structures, with depths > 1.5 km. CPD estimations, varying between 7.41 ± 1.13 and 50.88 ± 9.78 km, offered crucial information on the region's thermal structure. Heat flow computations derived from CPD estimates ranged from 27.07 to 185.86 mW/m2, identifying potential geothermal resources. The study revealed that regions with shallow CPDs (< 30 km) correspond to lower-magnitude seismicity, while deeper CPDs (> 30 km) correlate with higher magnitude events. Moho depth modeling indicated crustal thicknesses of 25–50 km in the continental regions, with shallower depths at coastal boundaries. This multi-faceted approach has significantly enhanced our understanding of the WAS's subsurface architecture and thermal regime, providing valuable insights for future geological and geothermal exploration in the region.