Tectonostratigraphy of the Nigerian Sector of Iullemmeden Basin (Sokoto Basin), Northwestern Nigeria

Ibrahim H, Hamza H, Adamu IH and Mohammed HG

Published on: 2023-04-22

Abstract

The Nigerian sector of the Iullemmeden Basin here referred as Sokoto Basin Basin was studied using high resolution satellites imagery, aeromagnetic data and detailed geological mapping.

The Sokoto Basin has been affected by three major faults (NE-SW, NW-SE and NNE-SSW), modified by strike slip faults and basin inversions. The basin evolves as rift basin during the Early Maastrichtian in response to NE-SW extensional/ transtenssional regime expressed by listric faults, growth fault with roll over anticlines, antithetic faults, synthetic faults, and negative flower structure (tulip Structure) affecting the lower Taloka Formation. During Late Maastrichtian a transpressional inversion occurred in response to NW-SE horizontal shortening, the structural styles related to this event is expressed by transpressional anticlines, thrust fault and folds affecting the Dukamaje Formation. The Wurno Formation is affected by early Paleocene rifting expressed by normal faults. The Dange Formation, Kalambaina Formation and oolitic ferruginous sandstone are folded in response to Late Paleocene compressional event.

During earliest Eocene the lower Gwandu Formation is affected by NNW-SSE extensional/transtenssional event and is represented by normal faults, listric fault, imbricate listric fault and negative flower structures (Tulip), while the upper Gwandu Formation was affected by NW-SE late Eocene compressional/transpressional inversion, expressed by buckling, strike slip fault (pull apart basin formed along a releasing bend), sigmoidal drag fold along closed spaced and positive flower structures (palm tree).