The geology and tectonics of Awe brine field

Abstract

Recent studies of the Azara and Awe brine fields of the middle Benue valley have revealed interesting structural developments deserving closer study. The Awe brine field, like the Azara occurrence, is underlain by Cretaceous sedimentary rocks of the Asu River, Awe, Keana and Ezeaku Formations. The brine, whose origin is, so far, enigmatic, issues from the transitional beds of the Awe Formation which have been exposed by differential erosion on a local anticlinal structure.

The partial dome feature, mapped around the old town of Awe reveals relatively high dips of 16–30° to the north and south, rounding off to the northeast at smaller dips of 4–10° in that direction. Longitudinal strike-slip faults parallel to the major fold axis, dominate the tectonics. Typically, close conjugate joint systems, infilled by silica, reflect the same pattern as the faulting.