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Sains Malaysiana 55(5)(2026): 867-877
http://doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2026-5505-09
Geothermal Resource
Potential in Zamfara Area, North-Western Nigeria: Insights from Airborne
Magnetic Data
(Potensi Sumber Geoterma di Kawasan Zamfara, Barat Laut Nigeria: Pemerhatian daripada Data Magnetik Udara)
SABIU
BALA MUHAMMAD1,2,
NORDIANA MOHD MUZTAZA1,*, UMAYYA SIYAMA MUSA2, NUR AZWIN
ISMAIL1, SYA’RAWI MUHAMMAD HUSNI MOHD SHARONI1, MUHAMMAD
TAQIUDDIN ZAKARIA3, BABANGIDA MOHAMMED AHMED1,4, MUSTAPHA
ADEJO MOHAMMED5 & SIRAJO ABUBAKAR6
1School
of Physics, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia
2Department
of Physics, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, P.M.B. 2346 Sokoto, Nigeria
3Department of Earth Sciences
and Environment, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi,
Selangor, Malaysia
4Department
of Applied Physics, Federal University of Technology Babura, Jigawa State,
Nigeria
5Department
of Physics, Federal University Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
6Department
of Physics, Sokoto State University, Sokoto, Nigeria
Diserahkan: 22 Disember 2025/Diterima:
30 April 2026
Abstract
The transition to sustainable energy in Nigeria
requires a precise characterization of untapped geothermal reservoirs; however,
the thermal architecture of the northern basement complexes remains largely
unexplored. To address this, the geothermal resource potential of the Zamfara
State sector within the Northern Nigerian Basement Complex was evaluated using
airborne magnetic data. This evaluation provides the empirical framework
necessary to guide future energy exploration and development in the region. The
area covers approximately 12,100 km² between longitudes
5°30′E-6°30′E and latitudes 12°00′N-13°00′N. The
magnetic data showed significant variations in total magnetic intensity, with
high anomalies corresponding to granitic intrusions, migmatite-gneiss units and
banded iron formations, while low anomalies align with the thin sedimentary
cover of the Sokoto Basin. Spectral depth analysis indicated shallow magnetic
sources (0.25-0.36 km) associated with near-surface intrusions and deeper
sources (2.36-7.52 km) representing the Precambrian basement. Curie point depth
estimates ranged from 4.39 to 14.69 km, reflecting the influence of
heat-producing granitic lithologies on the crustal thermal regime. A range of
values from 39.47 to 131.89 °C/km were obtained for geothermal gradients and
heat flow ranged from 98.68-329.73 mWm-², with the highest values
observed around the Maru and Bungudu areas.
Radiogenic heat production exhibits spatial variability, reaching up to 6.51
µW/m³ in dominant granitic regions. These results demonstrate a strong
geological control on magnetic and thermal properties, highlight areas of
anomalous geothermal potential and provide a robust framework for future
geothermal exploration in the area.
Keywords: Geothermal energy; magnetic data;
Zamfara area
Abstrak
Peralihan kepada tenaga lestari di Nigeria memerlukan pencirian tepat bagi takungan geotermal yang belum diterokai; namun, seni bina terma kompleks batuan dasar utara masih belum banyak diterokai. Bagi menangani perkara ini, potensi sumber geotermal di sektor negeri Zamfara dalam Kompleks Batuan Dasar Utara
Nigeria telah dinilai menggunakan data magnetik udara. Penilaian ini menyediakan rangka kerja empirik yang diperlukan untuk membimbing penerokaan dan pembangunan tenaga pada masa hadapan di rantau tersebut. Kawasan kajian meliputi kira-kira 12,100 km² antara longitud 5°30′T-6°30′T dan latitud 12°00′U-13°00′U. Data magnet menunjukkan variasi ketara dalam keamatan magnet keseluruhan dengan anomali tinggi berkaitan dengan penerobosan granit, unit migmatit-gneis dan formasi besi berjalur, manakala anomali rendah sejajar dengan litupan sedimen nipis Lembangan Sokoto. Analisis kedalaman spektrum menunjukkan sumber magnet cetek (0.25-0.36
km) yang dikaitkan dengan penerobosan berhampiran permukaan serta sumber yang lebih dalam (2.36-7.52 km) yang mewakili batuan dasar kambria awal. Anggaran kedalaman titik Curie berjulat antara 4.39 hingga 14.69 km, mencerminkan pengaruh litologi granit penghasil haba terhadap rejim terma kerak. Kecerunan geoterma berbeza antara 39.47 hingga 131.89 °C/km, manakala aliran haba berada dalam julat 98.68-329.73
mWm-² dengan nilai tertinggi diperhatikan di sekitar kawasan Maru dan Bungudu. Penghasilan haba radiogenik juga menunjukkan variasi ruang, mencapai sehingga 6.51 µW/m³ di kawasan yang didominasi oleh batuan granit. Hasil kajian ini menunjukkan kawalan geologi yang kuat terhadap sifat magnet dan terma, menonjolkan kawasan berpotensi geoterma anomali, serta menyediakan kerangka yang mantap untuk penerokaan geoterma pada masa hadapan di kawasan tersebut.
Kata kunci: Data magnetik; kawasan Zamfara; tenaga geoterma
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*Pengarang untuk surat-menyurat;
email: mmnordiana@usm.my
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