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Journal of Geosciences and Geomatics. 2020, 8(1), 35-44
DOI: 10.12691/JGG-8-1-5
Original Research

Petrogenesis and Tectonic Setting of the Basement Rocks around Irruan Area, Bamenda Massif, SE Nigeria

Ominigbo O. E.1, , Ukwang E. E.1, Okumoko J. P.2 and Ukpai U. J.1

1Department of Geology, Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria

2Department of Earth Sciences, College of Sciences, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Nigeria

Pub. Date: April 13, 2020
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Ominigbo O. E., Ukwang E. E., Okumoko J. P. and Ukpai U. J.. Petrogenesis and Tectonic Setting of the Basement Rocks around Irruan Area, Bamenda Massif, SE Nigeria. Journal of Geosciences and Geomatics. 2020; 8(1):35-44. doi: 10.12691/JGG-8-1-5

Abstract

The basement rocks around Irruan in southern Obudu Plateau, southeastern Nigeria were studied using field mapping and geochemical data. Both igneous (granodiorite and biotite granite) and metamorphic rocks (granite gneiss, banded gneiss and migmatite gneiss) were mapped in the area. The rocks are generally quartzofeldspathic and range from alkali-calcic to calc-alkali. Fairly strong negative correlation exists between Al2O3 and Na2O with SiO2 as well as between Al2O3 and Fe2O3. The magma source for the Irruan granitoids is continental as indicated by the high SiO2 content (≥70.11 wt.% except the biotite granite that records 61.10 wt.% of SiO2) and discriminant plots for the area. A sedimentary protholith has been interpreted for the gneissic rocks. Magmatism in the area commenced during the later stages of the Pan-African orogeny and continued much into the post-orogenic period, leaving behind, imprints of syn-collosional and post-orgenic tectonic settings.

Keywords

petrogenesis, tectonic setting, magmatism, syn-collisional, Obudu Plateau, Bamenda massif

Copyright

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