TITLE:
Interpretation of Geological and Gravity Data from the Bamiléké Plateau (West-Cameroon): Implication for the Understanding of Its Underground Lithotectonic Geometry
AUTHORS:
Louis Christian Kamgang Chendjou, Jean Victor Kenfack, Jules Tcheumenak Kouémo, Fidèle Koumetio, Armand Kagou Dongmo
KEYWORDS:
Bamiléké Plateau, Gravity Measurement, Gravity Anomalies, Lineaments
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
Vol.12 No.9,
September
29,
2024
ABSTRACT: The Bamiléké Plateau represents a key domain in the understanding of the geodynamics associated with the central Cameroon shear. The study aimed to highlight the subsurface architecture of the plateaus basement setting with focus on high potential areas for hydrogeological and mining development projects. To this end, geological field observations were carried out. Since the structures sought were near-surface, a separation approach based on the upward continuation method was applied to the Bouguer anomaly grid. A set of processing techniques, including vertical derivative or DZ, analytical signal or SA and categorization of gravity signatures, was applied to generate the residual map. The synthesis geological model, obtained from analysis and interpretation of the various transformed maps and 2.5D modeling of two gravity profiles P1 and P2 highlights the following features: 1) intrusions of steep-sided granitic batholiths from Dschang to Bandjoun (profile P1), increasing in width from NW (Dschang) to SE (Bandjoun); 2) larger volume batholiths with moderate sides located at Bafang and Bangangté (profile P1). These plutonic massifs were weakened by brittle deformation, which favored the emplacement of phonolite or anorthosite dykes within them. The emplacement of these dykes was accompanied by compressional faults with high dip between Dschang and Bandjoun and extensional faults with medium dip between Bafang and Bangangté. These fault zones (trending N85E to N95E) are ideal for hydrogeological investigations in a basement setting, as well as a series of dyke networks that could potentially be preferred zones for the circulation and accumulation of useful substances. The resulting geological sections P1 and P2 highlight the influence of granitic intrusions in the geological system of the study area, as well as the structural control associated with the various dyke intrusions. All the models obtained can serve as fundamental references for hydrogeological and mining exploration project on the Bamiléké Plateau.