Journal of Emerging Trends in Engineering and Applied Sciences: Research Areas

Article Title: Studies of Rock Magnetic Properties of Kufena Hill in Zaria Area Northern Nigeria
by Oniku, S. A., Lawal, K. M. and Osazuwa, I. B

Abstract:
The rock of Kufena hill belongs to the Pan African orogeny and its existence is derived from the Zaria batholith. A study of the magnetic properties of the rocks of the Kufena hill was carried out with the aim of identifying the magnetic minerals controlling the magnetic susceptibility of rocks in the study area. A total of 18 oriented core samples spread across the hill were collected using a portable gasoline powered, water cooled acker drill fitted with one inch diameter diamond drill bit. The core samples were long enough to yield at least two specimens, giving a total of 36 specimens of dimensions 25 mm by 22 mm (standard paleomagnetic samples). The parameters investigated are: the concentration of magnetic minerals in the rock; the magnetic susceptibility and anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility. The result of this research work shows that the major mineral controlling the magnetic susceptibility in the study area is biotite. It has an average magnetic susceptibility value of 69.0 +_ 0.62 x 10-6 SI and the percentage concentration of magnetite was found to be about 17.94 %. The research has also shown that the AMS ellipsoid, which is oblate, is controlled by the crystalline anisotropy of biotite, indicating that the shape parameter T depends to a large extent on magnetic carrier. The degree of anisotropy P' was found to be fairly moderate with an average value of 1.085 +_ 0.5. The magnetic fabric parameter (Lineation L, foliation F, and the shape parameter, T) within the site does not vary significantly, showing a uniform composition of minerals. The lineation has an average value of 1.039, while the foliation has an average value of 1.0548 and the shape parameter is generally positive with a mean value of 0.338

Keywords: Kufena hill, degree of anisotropy, fabric parameters, magnetic minerals,

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