AEROMAGNETIC CHARACTERIZATION OF SUBSURFACE STABILITY IN MPAPE ABUJA NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA

Abstract

The objective of this study is to interpret the structural stability of Mpape against the catastrophic earth tremor leading to loss of lives and materials and also to assess how safe the subsurface is for engineering construction. Analysis of high-resolution aeromagnetic data of Mpape Abuja sheet 106 was processed and filtered using the Tilt derivative filter (TDR a geophysical image enhancement technique)and advanced analytic signal—Hilbert solution filter( a complex value representation using Hilbert filter solution) to map out trends of both major and minor structures within the study area. The lineament plot was extracted and plotted; these revealed a dominant NE–SW and NW–SE trending fault linked to the regional offshore Romanchi fault line (Niger Delta) cutting through Gwagwalada, Gwarimpa, and Mpape. Seismic energy is stored and transmitted through these structures, resulting in tremor activities in Mpape. It is therefore wrong to say the study area is free from tremor occurrences. Refer to Instructions to Authors