1

CHAPTER ONE 1.0 INTRODUCTION The Nigerian basement complex is a part of Pan-African mobile belt and lies between the West African and Congo cratons and south of Tuareg Shield (Black 1980). It is intruded by the Mesozoic calc-alkaline ring complexes (Younger Granites) of the Jos Plateau and is unconformably overlain by Cretaceous and younger sediments. The basement is believed to be the results of at least four major orogenic cycles of deformation, metamorphism and remobilization corresponding to the Liberian (2.75Ga), the Eburnean (2.0Ga), the Kibaran (1.1Ga), and the Pan-African cycles (600Ma). The first three cycle were characterized by intense deformation and isoclinals folding accompanied by regional metamorphism, which was further folloed by extensive migmatization. The Pan-African deformation was accompanied by a regional metamorphism, migmatization and extensive granitization and gneissification which produced syntectonic granites and homogeneous gneisses (Abaa, 1983). According to Rahaman (1988), the basement complex of Nigeria is made up of five major lithological units, namely:

2 a.

The Migmatite-Gneiss-Quartzite Complex. The Schist Belt (Younger metasediments/slightly migmatized to nonmigmatized paraschists and meta igneous rocks).

b.

c. The Older Granites (Pan-African granitoids). d. The Charnockitic Rocks e. The volcanic and hypabyssal rocks

The sediments found in sedimentary basin otherwise known as soft rocks, vary in age from Lower Cretaceous (about 120 Ma) to Quaternary (less than 2 Ma) and overlie the basement complex in the sedimentary basins. The basement rocks are believed to be the results of at least four major orogenic cycles of deformation, metamorphism and remobilization corresponding to the Liberian (2,700 Ma), the Eburnean (2,000 Ma), the Kibaran (1,100 Ma), and the Pan-African cycles (600 Ma).

FIGURE 1: THE MAP OF NIGERIA SHOWING THE BASEMENT, YOUNGER GRANITE AND SEDIMENTARY BASINS.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES

1.2

LOCATION

The geographical localities visited include: Akure (Ondo State), Suleja-Lambata highway (Niger State), Akwanga (Nassarawa State), Biu (Bauchi State) and Okpella (Edo state) where different basement complex rocks were encountered. The sedimentary basins traversed are Anambra Basin, Bida Basin, Upper Benue Trough (Gongola and Yola Arms), The Jurassic Younger Granite (Mada complex) was visited along Akwanga- Lafia road.

CHAPTER TWO 2.0 2.1 DETAILED PETROLOGY Hard Rocks

The different crystalline rocks studied include: Migmatites , gneisses, charnockites, older granites, schists and volcaniclastics. 2.2.1 Migmatites/Gneisses

The migmatite-gneiss complex is the most widespread lithologic unit of the Nigerian basement complex. It is made up of migmatites, gneisses,and a series of

basic-ultrabasic metamorphosed rocks. Along Ilesha-Owo highway (after Onyearugbulem market junction),road cuts of granite gneiss was encountered. The gneiss is in contact with a gneissic charnockite. At about 10km after Suleja, along Suleja-Lambata road, another exposure of migmatite gneiss was encountered. The feldspar constituents are more visible within the neosomes than in the paleosomes. Observable minerals include: plagioclase feldspar, biotite, quartz. Age Relations The rock has undergone more than one episode of metamorphism based on lithologic relations with surrounding lithologic units (pegmatite and banded gneiss).The pegmatites occur in form of pods within the migmatite.

Fig2:Road cut of Migmatite gneiss along Suleja-Lambata highway showing ptygmatic folding.

2.1.2 THE SCHIST BELTS The schist belts are best developed in the southwestern and northwestern Nigeria.They occur as north-south trending belts. The Zungeru-Birnin Gwari Schist was the main point of focus during the field exercise. Along Suleja/Lambata-Kwakuti/Minna highway, a road cut of politic schist was encountered. The schist is suggested to be related to the migmatite-gneiss-quartzite complex. Metaconglomerate An outcrop of metaconglomerate (pebbly schist) was visisted along MinnaZungeru highway.Within the exposure,pebbles of quartz are concentrated randomly and they vary in sizes.The pebbles vary in composition from quartzitic to granitic to feldspatic. Some of the clasts have been stretched, folded and deformed.At the lower (southwestern) part of the exposure an intrusive rock occurs in contact with the metaconglomerate. Mylonite