Redefining the boundary between crystalline and sedimentary rock of Eastern Dahomey Basin

This study defines a new boundary between the crystalline and sedimentary rocks of Eastern Dahomey Basin at the southwestern part of Nigeria using a geophysical approach that combines regional aeromagnetic and ground resistivity data. Aeromagnetic data covering the entire Eastern Dahomey Basin were acquired at 500 m line spacing, 80 m mean terrain, and processed into grids of Residual Magnetic Intensity (RMI) map. Filters and corrections such as upward continuation, and reduction to equator were applied to enhance deep magnetic sources and correct for magnetic inclination and declination. Tilt Derivative Angles (TDR) was applied for edge detection. To support the aeromagnetic analysis and interpretation, 104 Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) surveys and 8 Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) data were also acquired, processed and interpreted along the basement-sedimentary rock boundary. The TDR revealed a significant trend that corresponds to the edge between the basement complex and the sediments of the Eastern Dahomey Basin. A strong match was also noticed between the VES positions and the TDR map. Areas interpreted as basement rocks from the VES stations align with positive values on the TDR maps while the sedimentary terrains have negative TDR values. Our work demonstrates that areas that were previously fixed as sedimentary terrains on geological maps belong to the crystalline basement or transition zone. A new and reliable geological boundary is hereby drawn between the basement and sedimentary rocks. Thus, providing a revised map of the Eastern Dahomey Basin.