Tectono-Thermal Framework of the Southern Benue Trough, Nigeria: Implications for Hydrothermal Mineralization and Geothermal Energy

Tectono-Thermal Framework of the Southern Benue Trough, Nigeria: Implications for Hydrothermal Mineralization and Geothermal Energy | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Tectono-Thermal Framework of the Southern Benue Trough, Nigeria: Implications for Hydrothermal Mineralization and Geothermal Energy Stella Chigozie Okenu, Abu Mallam, Olatunji S. Ayaninnuola, Godwin A. Alo This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-9473455/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 5 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract The increasing global demand for clean and sustainable energy has intensified the search for geothermal resources and associated hydrothermal mineral systems. However, limited understanding of the thermal structure and tectonic controls of the Southern Benue Trough, Nigeria, has constrained effective geothermal and mineral exploration in the region. This study aims to investigate the thermal and tectonic framework of the basin using integrated high-resolution airborne magnetic and radiometric data. Aeromagnetic data were processed using reduction to the equator, First Vertical Derivative (FVD), Analytical Signal (AS), Source Parameter Imaging (SPI), and Spectral Analysis (SA) techniques to aid the delineation of subsurface structures and the estimation of depths to magnetic sources and Curie Point Depth for thermal analysis. Airborne radiometric data, including potassium (K), thorium (eTh), uranium (eU), and K/eTh ratio maps, were analyzed to identify lithological variations and hydrothermally altered zones. The results reveal dominant NE–SW and subordinate E–W trending lineaments linked to pre-Pan-African and Pan-African tectonic events, providing strong structural control for fluid migration pathways. Zones of high lineament density and radiometric anomalies correspond to areas of enhanced hydrothermal alteration. Spectral analysis indicates variable Curie point depths and elevated geothermal gradients and heat flow, while 2D forward modeling reveals a horst–graben basement architecture that facilitates heat transfer and fluid circulation. These findings provide new insights into the thermal–tectonic evolution of the Southern Benue Trough and highlight its potential for geothermal energy development and hydrothermal mineral exploration. Geothermal energy Hydrothermal mineralization Aeromagnetic data Airborne radiometric data Curie point depth Tectonic framework Full Text Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Reviewers agreed at journal 07 May, 2026 Reviewers invited by journal 05 May, 2026 Editor invited by journal 04 May, 2026 First submitted to journal 28 Apr, 2026 Editor assigned by journal 24 Apr, 2026 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-9473455","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":634689950,"identity":"461276f3-6b52-47db-a722-f775bfff9dec","order_by":0,"name":"Stella Chigozie Okenu","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAABCElEQVRIie2PMUvEMBiGU4S6VG69ckP/wlcKmUL7Q1wSCnGpq9zQIXKQW0TXGwR/gevNHwQ6FbsGXO7+QSdxEDE9N6H13ITLM4WX9+HNR4jH8z8JcEcIuMf5ew9sCG5xUggJQf6tkHizlIOijlcWUWsO4aSSPK0Qec2y2eIO4EJ3+fPauJWaXY4p0IQceSNp/NgCj/VruW2FUxp5rcaUMALkoWFgK8DUKRSdEigzqiR61iP/NKywVaqEfilpt59WSBMRFNpQmFcZwRZzan9ZgUYCinuZza28CdSy5NS6FT5xS7Iy+13/xtKHTbk9+4C8oN2VS2o2/rGfiEOTH1sfKP5S9ng8ntPgC/7XaP/bC+49AAAAAElFTkSuQmCC","orcid":"https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7845-7065","institution":"Sheda Science, Technology and innovation Complex, Abuja","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Stella","middleName":"Chigozie","lastName":"Okenu","suffix":""},{"id":634689951,"identity":"c27de687-f10e-43ad-a77b-5d9edca65b45","order_by":1,"name":"Abu Mallam","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"University of Abuja Faculty of Sciences","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Abu","middleName":"","lastName":"Mallam","suffix":""},{"id":634689952,"identity":"8439dbf2-660e-4d00-ac77-f1ddf68903c5","order_by":2,"name":"Olatunji S. 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However, limited understanding of the thermal structure and tectonic controls of the Southern Benue Trough, Nigeria, has constrained effective geothermal and mineral exploration in the region. This study aims to investigate the thermal and tectonic framework of the basin using integrated high-resolution airborne magnetic and radiometric data. Aeromagnetic data were processed using reduction to the equator, First Vertical Derivative (FVD), Analytical Signal (AS), Source Parameter Imaging (SPI), and Spectral Analysis (SA) techniques to aid the delineation of subsurface structures and the estimation of depths to magnetic sources and Curie Point Depth for thermal analysis. Airborne radiometric data, including potassium (K), thorium (eTh), uranium (eU), and K/eTh ratio maps, were analyzed to identify lithological variations and hydrothermally altered zones. The results reveal dominant NE\u0026ndash;SW and subordinate E\u0026ndash;W trending lineaments linked to pre-Pan-African and Pan-African tectonic events, providing strong structural control for fluid migration pathways. Zones of high lineament density and radiometric anomalies correspond to areas of enhanced hydrothermal alteration. Spectral analysis indicates variable Curie point depths and elevated geothermal gradients and heat flow, while 2D forward modeling reveals a horst\u0026ndash;graben basement architecture that facilitates heat transfer and fluid circulation. 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