A

TECHNICAL REPORT

ON

THE GEOLOGY OF AFIKPO AND ITS ENVIRONS,

EBONYI STATE, NIGERIA.

COURSE CODE; GLS 232

COURSE TITLE; FIELD GEOLOGY II

GROUP 5

BY

DAVID GABRIEL CHUKWUMA

2021504122

PRESENTED TO

DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGICAL SCIENCES,

FACULTY OF PHYSICAL SCIENCES,

NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY, AWKA.

SUPERVISOR: MR. ONUCHUKWU EJIKE, MR. ADOLPHUS OMEOKACHI

MARCH, 2025.

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 ABSTRACT

The report gives a holistic view on the geology of Afikpo, Ebonyi State Nigeria. Geologic
mapping was carried out to determine the various Stratigraphy, Lithologic units, depositional
environment and provenance using basic field procedures. The structural and textural
characteristic of the rocks are a product of the depositional energy of the environment. Based on
field observations: Lithostratigraphic units were properly logged and identified. At the end, a
geologic map was produced detailing the profile of the Mapped stations.

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 TABLE OF CONTENT

Title page 1

Abstract 2

Table of Content 3

CHAPTER ONE 5

1.1 Introduction 5

1.2 Aims and Objective 6

1.3 Geographical Setting 6

1.4 Location and Accessibility 7

1.5 Drainage System 8

CHAPTER TWO

2.1 Literature review 9

2.2 Local Geology of the Study Area 10

2.2.1 The Asu River Group 11

2.2.2 Amenu Shale 11

2.2.3 Amenu Sandstone 11

2.2.4 Amasiri Sandstone 11

2.2.5 Amasiri Shale 12

2.2.6 Ibii Sandstone ` 12

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CHAPTER THREE

3.1 Methodology and Materials 13

3.2 Desk Study 13

3.3 Field Investigation 13

3.4 Materials 14

3.5 Precautions 15

CHAPTER FOUR

4.1 Outcrop Description 16

CHAPTER FIVE

5.1 Engineering Geology 36

5.2 Environmental Geology 37

5.3 Structural Geology 38

5.3.1 Primary Structures 38

5.3.2 Secondary Structures 39

5.4 Maps and map interpretation 40

Conclusion 40

References 42

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 CHAPTER ONE

1.1 INTRODUCTION

The field school exercise took place from the 24 th to 28th of October, 2023 and was carried out by

final year students of the Department of Geological Sciences and Applied Geophysics, under the

guardian and tutorship of our lecturers. The area of study was basically Afikpo. The Afikpo

sedimentary basin is a very unique one, the structural and textural characteristics of the rocks are

a product of the depositional energy of the environment. Research on the study of sedimentary

rocks have shown that sediments, pieces and fragments of old and pre-existing rocks have

created some features and rock attributes which are especially distinct and useful in the

sedimentary terrain. The area is divided, geologically, into two sections; an upper part lying

within the Lower Benue Trough (which is represented by Amasiri Sandstone) and a lower part in

the Anambra Basin (which is represented by the Afikpo sandstone).

The Afikpo sedimentary basin is a very unique one; the structural and textural characteristics of

the rocks are a product of the depositional energy of the environment. Research on the study of

sedimentary rocks have shown that sediments, pieces and fragments of old and pre-existing rocks

have created some structural and rock attributes which are especially distinct and useful in the

sedimentary terrain. The area is composed of sediments of the Upper Cretaceous comprising of

rocks of the Ezeaku Group as well as the Asu River Group. Intrusive activities found in the area

show a dolerite intrusion believed to be of the initial phase of Benue Rift Formation.

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1.2 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The primary aim of the field school exercise was to expose the students to practical; field work

and mapping exercises. The objectives of the field work include;

1. It involves detailed study of the lithology (logging) of various outcrops and stratigraphy

of the area.

2. Production of base maps and geologic maps of the area and evaluation of the economic

geology and geohazards of the area.

3. To study and appreciate the general Geology of the Afikpo environment.

4. The results obtained during these exercises are to be used in making inferences on the

depositional environment of the area, engineering geology, hydrogeology and the tectonic

activities which have disturbed the area.

1.3 GEOGRAPHICAL SETTING

Geographically, the terrain is composed of an alternation of highlands and lowlands. While the

highlands are composed of sandstone, the lowlands are composed of siltstone and shale. Some of

these lowlands are occupied by surface water bodies. The area is drained by rivers, streams and

springs and generally has a dendritic drainage pattern. There are two main types of soil present;

silty clayey soil and sandy clay hydromorphic soil place basically on a low scale. Other local

occupations practised by the indigenes include farming, hunting, fishing, mining, sand quarrying,

etc.

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1.4 LOCATION AND ACCESSIBILITY

The major area of interest was Afikpo which is located in Ebonyi state in South Eastern Nigeria.

The surveyed area is roughly located between longitudes E007º59'00" and E007º50' and latitudes

N5º60'00" and N5º45'. Most of the major outcrops studied were accessible by major roads while

others were in bushy areas and were accessible by footpaths. The primary access is through

either the Abakaliki-Afikpo expressway or through Amasiri-Akaeze road. The area can equally

be accessed via cross river through Ndibe beach. The region is dominated by sandstone, shale

and siltstone.

Fig 1.1: Showing the accessibility map of Afikpo (Source; Google images)

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1.5 DRAINAGE SYSTEM

The drainage of the study area is controlled by relief, topography and geology and is pattern is

dendritic. The area is drained by the Okpukpo, ololo, ubaji, ogberehi, ogbuko, nsikpu,

iyiechiamachara streams which run through the heterogenous rocks joining almost at right angles

to each other forming atree like structure which later empty into the iyieke late at ndive this

streams flow in areas of low topography.

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.

Fig 1.2: Showing the Drainage Map of Afikpo and Environ (Source; Google images)

CHAPTER TWO

2.1 LITERATURE REVIEW

Afikpo as an area of study has been visited by many geologists and researchers in the past, based

on these facts many detailed maps and literature has been done and some of them have been

revisited during the course of the field work.

The stratigraphy of the area consists of Ezeaku formation and Asu River group being the oldest

dated sedimentary rock unit. The study area Afikpo and its environs falls within the Lower

Benue trough which has been reviewed and studied by many authors on the basis of its tectonic

history, facies association and successions like Kogbe (1996-1987) R.C Murat (1970) and

Reyment (1965), C.S Nwajide (1976), Norbert Ejike Ajaegwu, Anthony Uwaoma Okoro,

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Izuchukwu Ignatius Obiadi, Emmanuel Kenechukwu Anakwuba, Leonard Nnaemeka Onuba

(2015) and more.

According to Rayment (1965), the Turonian sediments in Lower Benue trough is marked by hard

grey and black calcareous shale, limestone and siltstone make up the Ezeaku formation.

The Ezeaku shale grades laterally into Amasiri sandstones which has a type locality in Amasiri

near Afikpo. Ezeaku formation has a thickness of about 1200m and it is overlain by Awgu shale

which is 900m thick, a bluish grey in colour.

Murat (1972) was of the view that Ezeaku shale shows deposit of marine condition in a

tectonically controlled basin (Abakaliki trough), he believed that sandstone deposits mark a

period of transgression.

The Ezeaku formation was deposited in the Turonian transgressive phase but in a shallow marine

environment. The lithologies include shale, sandstones and calcareous sandstone. Fossils present

are orphiomorpia, skolithos, plant fragments and so on. The sedimentation in Afikpo syncline is

as a result of erosional activities in the Aptian-Albian, Turonian and Coniacian deposits.

The Benue Trough has a lateral extent of about 250km in the south and consists of the Anambra

basin, the Abakaliki Anticlinorium and the Afikpo syncline. The accumulation of thick sediment

in the Benue Trough from Albian to Turonian times led to the development of instability at the

base of faulted crustal blocks.

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Fig 2.1: Formation of Afikpo Syncline (Ugwu 2010)

2.2 LOCAL GEOLOGY OF THE STUDY AREA

The study area consists of undulating alternation of sandstone ridge, shale low lands, trending

NE-SW direction. The highest sandstone ridges are the Amasiri-Okpo-Ezi sandstones (about

120m high), Ibii sandstone (about 75m high), and Akpoha sandstone (about 75m high) the

sandstone ridges have been subjected to prolonged and intense weathering, producing huge

blocks of boulders and rock falls.

2.2.1 THE ASU RIVER GROUP

The Asu River Group is a major stratigraphic unit in the study area, consisting of dark micaceous

shale, fine grained and calcareous sandstone bodies. It is poorly bedded and rich in ammonite

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fauna indicating Albian age. Locally the different lithostratigraphic facies of the Asu River

Group in the study area is highlighted below.

2.2.2 AMENU SHALE

Amenu Shale is the oldest lithologic unit of the Asu river group in the study area. The shale is

fissile, and dark-bluish grey or pure grey in colour and is intercalated in some places with

yellowish brown coloured ferruginized lamina

2.2.3 AMENU SANDSTONE

Amenu Sandstone conformably overlies the Amenu Shale. They comprise of feldspathic

Sandstone ridges outcropping within the anticlinal fold at a distance of about half a kilometre

from Asu River Bridge towards Amasiri and are generally greyish in colour.

2.2.4 AMASIRI SANDSTONE

This unit extends from Amasiri to Ugwu Okporo through Amate-Elu to Asu River.it rises from

Amasiri (about 45m above sea level) to a maximum height at Ugwu Okporo (about 120m above

sea level). Fresh samples of this unit are deep grey and since the sandstone is calcareous the deep

greyish colour is attributed to abundant calcite. However, on strong weathering the sandstone is

dark brown and develops caves, potholes and huge boulders. It is medium to coarse grained, sub

angular and moderately sorted. The thickness of the beds is in range of 35cm to 2.5m; the beds

are massive

2.2.5 AMASIRI SHALE

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Amasiri Shale is fissile and conformably overlies the Amasiri Sandstone. It is blue-black when

fresh and yellow to reddish-brown when weathered. The two units maintain gradational contacts.

The amount of dip is between 8º and 14º Azimuth. This shale unit is continuous and extensive.

2.2.6 IBII SANDSTONE

This sandstone unit conformably overlies the Iyi-Ogwe Shale and both follow the same NE-SW

trend. It is structurally massive and laterally extensive, covering about 250m. the thickness of the

bed’s averages about 1.3m, while the overall average height of the unit is about 15m. On fresh

surfaces the colours are from dirty white to light grey but these turn brown to red on weathering.

This sandstone is very friable due to poor cementation. vertical and near vertical joints also occur

in the area. Grain size analysis shows that the sandstone is poorly sorted and has fine to medium

grain sizes.

CHAPTER THREE

3.1 METHODOLOGY AND MATERIALS

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The method applied during the course of our field mapping is through the use of compass

clinometer and traverse method. In the course of this mapping both the major road and the minor

road cuts including foot paths were utilized to access the outcrops.

Various coordinates at each station were taken and carefully noted or represented in the base

map. The lithology of the areas was carefully indicated on the map using different colours to

represent different lithologies. The attitudes of beds and structures like cross beds, joints etc.

were measured and represented in the map. Some outcrops were logged in some of our stations

like that at stations which will be seen in the next chapter.

3.2 DESK STUDY

Detailed desk study was done and this involved the reading of available journals, reports and

relevant materials concerning the study area. The topographic and administrative maps of the

study area were studied and all these provided hints on the location, boundary features and

accessibility of the area.

3.3 FIELD INVESTIGATION

The method applied during the course of our field mapping is through the use of compass

clinometer and traverse method. In the course of this mapping both the major road and the minor

road cuts including foot paths were utilized to access the outcrops.

Various coordinates at each station were taken and carefully noted or represented in the base

map. The lithology of the areas was carefully indicated on the map using different colours to

represent different lithologies. The attitudes of beds and structures like cross beds, joints etc.

were measured and represented in the map. Some outcrops were logged in some of our stations

like that at stations which will be seen in the next chapter.

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The summary of the methods which we used in the field in the course of the study is as follows:

 Obtaining the Coordinates of stations in the field.

 Taking note of the various outcrops/cross sections.

 Logging every outcrop to obtain details like grain size, clast shape, colour, framework

structures, sedimentary structures, texture, etc. which helps in naming of the rocks, as

well as the paleo environment of deposition of the rocks.

 Measurement of the attitudes (dip direction, strike direction and dip amount) of

various geological structures.

 Taking note of the trends (bearing) of the various structures.

 Collection of fresh samples at every location for further analysis in the laboratory.

 Measurement of thickness of the beds

 Taking of photographs of various structures alongside magnification objects.

3.4 MATERIALS

Instruments used for the fieldwork includes:

 GPS (Global Positioning System)

 Topographic map

 Silver compass for measuring attitudes of beds e.g. dip, strike, dip direction etc.

 Digital camera for taking photograph of the outcrops encountered.

 Geological hammer for breaking rock samples

 Tape for measurement of distance

 Field notebook and writing materials for taking records.

 Hand lens for viewing grain size (roundness)

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  Sample bags

 Dilute Hydrochloric Acid

3.5 PRECAUTIONS

Some precautions were taken in the field in order to ensure that errors are limited and

also to ensure safety. Some of these precautions include;

 Use of protective clothing for e.g. long sleeves, raffia hats, trousers and field boots to

ensure body protection

 Ensuring that the attitudes of structures (dip and strike) are taken on smooth bedding

planes.

 Strictly staying on the road sides of major roads as some of the outcrops studied

were along the road.

 Proper orientation of the ranging poles or tapes while the bearing and measurements

are being taken.

 Staying off the ridges at the quarry site to avoid been hit by fallen fragments of rock

or by the vehicle conveying the rocks.

CHAPTER FOUR

4.1 OUTCROP DESCRIPTION

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 On the first day of the field work, we were reminded how to make accurate use of the

compass in measurement of bearing and attitudes of beds (as already treated in GLS132). A

base map of the area was given to us and we were asked to locate the position we were on the

map. The class was divided into five groups but the learning was done together. The process

generally involves the following;

 Obtaining the Coordinates (Longitude and Latitude) at each station, as well as its

elevation using the GPS.

 Taking the bearing of the forward station using a compass.

 Any notable landmark around the stations can be recorded as a remark.

DAY 1

STATION 1

Location : Setraco Quarry

Coordinates : Latitude 5° 56’ 12” N

: Longitude 7° 52’ 53” E

Elevation : 30m

Lithostratigraphic unit : Ezeaku Shale

Observations:

It is a shale terrain because it is a lowland and there is presence of water. Shale holds

water. The formation is Ezeaku shale. The color is dark brown and lightens as we move

down at the boundary. The age is Turonian. Presence of Sparse vegetation. The ridge

trends 24°/204° NE-SW

STATION 2

Type of exposure: Outcrop (Sandstone Ridge)

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Location: Amasiri road

Coordinates: Latitude 05° 55’ 54” N (End of sandstone ridge)

: Longitude 07° 52’ 54” E

Elevation: 36m

Thickness: 63.1m

Lithostratigraphic unit : Boundary between siltstone and sandstone

Observations:

The rock exposed here is made up of quartz, white clay, and mica. It is a boundary between
siltstone and sandstone. The boundary is continuous because it is from shale to siltstone to
sandstone. The environment is deep water. The ridge has fine grained sandstone and it is
calcareous. It contains clay to confirm the presence of carbonate, tested with Hydrochloric acid.
It is an upland. The ridge trends 140°/320° SE-NW

Fig 4.1: Showing the outcrop of calcareous sandstone ridge

STATION 3

Location: Amasiri crush stone industry

Coordinates: Latitude 05° 55’ 54” N

Elevation: 30m

Bearing = 72°NE

Lithostratigraphic unit: Amasiri Sandstone

Observations:

It is fine grained (silt size). It is highly indurated. It is a calcareous sandstone, tested with

Hydrochloric acid. Presence of a limestone clast. It contains a lot of calcite as a cementing

material. The grains are well sorted. The grain shape is sub angular – sub rounded. There was an

indication of stained hand which proves the presence of clay in the sandstone. In essence, the

sandstone is a calcareous clayey sandstone. There is presence of secondary structure such as

fractures (Joints). The ridge trends 72°/252° NE-SW. The ridge encountered has a thickness of

approximately 78.1m

Fig 4.2: Showing outcrop of a calcareous clayey sandstone.

STATION 4

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Location: Along Amasiri Road

Coordinates: Latitude 05° 55’ 42” N

: Longitude 07° 52’ 59” E

Elevation: 40m

Lithostratigraphic Unit: It is a gradational boundary between calcareous sandstone and shale

Observations:

It is a highly indurated rock. Effervescence occurs, presence of calcareous sandstone. It is tested

with Hydrochloric acid on both sides. It is dominantly shale distorted with sandstone. It is a

broken line boundary between sandstone and shale, this is because the gradation is from silt to

sandstone. It is a flood basin. It is coarsening upward. The ridge is trending 70°/250° NE-SW.

STATION 5

Coordinates; Latitude: 050 55’ 34” N

Longitude: 070 53’ 3” E

Thickness: 216.25m

Observation

I encountered a deep ridge. Bearing of depression 178°

STATION 6

Location: Gradational Boundary between siltstone and sandstone

Coordinates; Latitude: 050 56’ 36” N

Longitude: 070 53’ 13” E

Bearing: 190°

STATION 7

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Location: St. Gabriel catholic church, Amasiri

Coordinates; Latitude: 050 55’ 9” N

Longitude: 070 53’ 14” E

Elevation: 37m

Observation

The sandstone is a low-lying exposure that is highly indurated. It is majorly composed of quartz

mineral. Bioturbation process occurred in the sandstone showing evidences of burrows,

lenticular structures of limestone embedding in the outcrop. There was also presence of the

ammonite and lamelli branchia trace fossil which indicates deep water environment

(paleobathymetry). It exhibits slight facie arrangement coarsen upwards. Discontinuous

carbonated pattern in the outcrop and also presence of fractures like joints. It is a homogenous

outcrop deposited in the same system track during the time of deposition. It is a very fine to

coarse sand and moderate to well sorted.

Fig 4.3: Showing outcrop of a calcareous sandstone with trace fossil of an ammonite.

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STATION 8

Coordinates; Latitude: 050 54’ 31” N

Longitude: 070 52’ 57” E

Bearing: 220°

Lithology: Sandstone

STATION 9

Location: Primary school (light kingdom deliverance hall), Amasiri

Coordinates: Latitude 05° 53’ 46” N

: Longitude 007° 53’ 4” E

Elevation: 46m

Trend of Fault: 40°/220° NE/SW

Bearing: 220°

Observations:

The shearing and healing structure led to the highly indurated sandstones but lacks enough

cement, it is a shattered fault zone area that has been acted upon by tectonism; evidences of fault

reticulation, scattered boulders (fault breccias). Presence of fault plane shows dipping.

Slickenside – a polished Clay smear on the surface of the fault plane and a fault gouge was

encountered. Crystallization after faulting bounded the sandstone together. The outcrop is

composed of quartz, feldspar etc.

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Fig 4.4: Showing a dip slip fault sandstone

DAY 2

STATION 1

Location: Amasiri Central primary school

Coordinates: Latitude 05° 54’ 37” N

: Longitude 07° 53’ 23” E

Elevation: 45.16m

Dip direction: 1850

Dip amount: 320

Strike: 32°

Trend: 600/2400 NE-SW

Lithostratigraphic unit: Amasiri Sandstone

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Observations:

I observed a rip up on the sandstone outcrop. The sandstone is a calcareous sandstone. The rip up

clast is limestone embedded in sandstone. The sediments of this sandstone were deposited in a

marine environment associated with storm action. I observed effervescence upon the introduction

of HCl on the sandstone outcrop. The sandstone grain size is medium grained and well sorted.

The grain shape has high sphericity ranging from sub – angular to sub – rounded. I also observed

that the cementing material in this sandstone outcrop was not just calcium carbonate but also

includes quartz and feldspar. The outcrop was folded therefore it was difficult to determine its

thickness.

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Fig 4.5: Showing a Rip up Sandstone

STATION 2

Coordinates – Latitude: 050 54’ 17” N

Longitude: 070 53’ 48” E

Elevation: 50m

Dip direction: 2520

Dip amount: 20

Strike: 160°

Bearing: 760/2560 NE - SW

Observation

The outcrop has a dextral slip fault. I also observed the presence of boulders showing the

evidence of tectonism in this area. The texture of the outcrop is medium to fine grained. It is sub

rounded in shape and moderately sorted.

STATION 3

Location: Trough Cross Bed Outcrop, Afikpo- Amasiri Road

Coordinates - Latitude: 050 54’ 20” N

- Longitude 070 54’ 02” E

Elevation: 61m

Bearing: 730 NE

Observation

The outcrop is a sandstone with feldspar and quartz. It is bioturbated. The texture ranges from

fine to medium and it is sub angular to sub rounded in shape. It is well sorted. There were trough

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and planar cross beds on the outcrop and the planar beds are synthetic. The bisetric of the trough

cross bed is measured from the node of the trough cross beds and the measurement recorded are

as follows:

152, 200,145, 254, 196, 196, 200, 190, 184, 175, 133, 228, 134, 188, 170, 185, 155, 166, 180,

260, 191, 162, 158, 130, 170, 134, 190, 185, 188, 192, 170, 134, 252, 248, 176, 222, 206, 134,

186, 180, 170, 162, 150, 160, 150, 172, 156, 150, 182, 254, 136, 170, 178, 184, 162, 196, 248,

188, 180, 184

Table 4.1: Frequency Table for Bisetric Values

With the help of the bisetric, I was able to plot a rose diagram.

CLASS INTERVAL FREQUENCY

910 -1200 0

1210 - 1500 8

1510 - 1800 21

1810 - 2100 23

2110 - 2400 2

2410 - 2700 6

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Fig 4.6: A rose diagram of Amasiri sandstone

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After plotting the rose diagram for this sandstone outcrop, I discovered that the mode direction of

the plot is towards the SW direction. This indicates that the sediments of this outcrop were

derived from a source with SW directed paleo-flows. With this information, we can tell the

provenance of this outcrop. Since the sediments have a SW direction, this depicts that the source

of the sediment is from (the north-easterly direction) probably a basement complex of the Oban

Massifs.

STATION 4

Location: Akpoha Technical Secondary School

Coordinate: Latitude 050 57’ 28”

: Longitude 070 57’ 50”

Elevation: 43m Altitude of Bed:

Thickness: 3.2m Strike: 1900

Bearing: 2460 SW Dip Direction: 1540

Dip Amount: 400

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Observation

The outcrop is a sandstone composed of quartz, calcite and feldspar. There is presence of

biogenic structures. Its grain is fine to medium. The shape is sub angular to sub rounded. It is

moderately sorted and whitish in colour. I observed the presence of wavy lamination and parallel

lamination caused by wave action and low depositional energy respectively. The tidal

environment is ruled out because there is no presence of clay.

Fig 4.7: Litholog for the outcrop

STATION 5

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Location: Donji Quarry.

Coordinates - Latitude: 050 53’ 59 “

- Longitude: 070 54’ 40”

Elevation: 50m

Sandstone is quarried from the sandstone ridge. The sandstone ridges are drilled into and

explosives are inserted to reduces the ridge into reasonable chunks of rocks which are further

crushed and sorted according to preference.

DAY 3

STATION 1

Location: Igneous Intrusion, beside Krumason Quarry Ventures, Abakaliki Road.

Coordinates - Latitude: 050 53’ 58” N

- Longitude: 070 54’ 36” E

Elevation: 50m

Trend: 800/2600 NE – SW

Altitude of Bed:

Strike: 1660

Dip Direction: 2460

Dip Amount: 120

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Observation

An igneous rock intrusion was observed which is concordant (Sill) and disconcordant (Dyke)

with the country rock (shale). The rock is an igneous rock called dolerite which has a mafic

composition. The intrusion is a product of magmatism. Due to this intrusion, there was presence

of metamorphic event. The country rock is shale. I observed some baked zones in the area

resulting from this doleritic intrusion. I also observed slate (metamorphosed shale) close to the

igneous intrusion.

Fig 4.8: Image of an igneous intrusion showing a doleritic rock.

STATION 2

LOCATION: Afikpo express road along Amasiri Sandstone (fault zone)

Coordinates: Latitude 5° 53’ 47” N

: Longitude 7° 54’ 51” E

Elevation: 62m

Lithostratigraphic unit: Afikpo Sandstone

Lithology: Sandstone, siltstone

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Mineral composition: Quartz

Tectonic Structure: Angular unconformity

Observation

Contact between Amasiri sandstone and Afikpo sandstone. There is no clear evidence for

accounting for other physical characteristics, the wave transgressive ravinement surface was used

to identify the contact. This is the basal unit of the Afikpo sandstone. I noticed a fault plain and

the trend and dip measurement were taken; One of the fault zone had a dip amount of 40 0 and the

second one had a dip amount of 460.

Trend: 1220

Dip amount: 280

Dip Direction: 1020 SE

The bisetric of the trough beds were recorded as follows;

120, 148, 146, 190, 300, 274, 120, 10, 132, 146, 90, 69, 102, 140, 90, 96, 102, 140, 240, 260, 86,

58, 360, 240, 190, 60, 198, 134, 160, 198, 160, 198, 160, 84, 274, 168, 94, 120, 122, 198, 160,

156, 80, 84, 86.

CLASS INTERVAL FREQUENCY

00 -300 I was able to plot a rose diagram.

310 -6100 2

610 -900 9

910 -1200 7

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1210 - 1500 9

1510 - 1800 5

1810 - 2100 5

2110 - 2400 2

2410 - 2700 1

2710 - 3000 3

3010 - 3300 0

3310 - 3600 1

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Fig 4.9: A rose diagram of the Afikpo sandstone

Fig 4.10: A Litholog of the Afikpo sandstone

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STATION 3

Location: Beside the Entrance to Ebonyi Hotel

Coordinates: Latitude 05° 53’ 35” N

: Longitude 07° 55’ 08” E

Elevation: 112m

Lithostratigraphic unit: Afikpo Sandstone

Observations:

It is in the Anambra basin. The outcrop here has visible ripple marks. Ripples are formed by very

fast flows. They are parallel ridge built when the flow becomes rough. Ripples could be

symmetrical or asymmetrical. These ripples have crest which can be modified. The erosional

side of the ripple is called stoss side, and the depositional side is called the lee side. If ripples are

symmetrical, it means from trough to trough is equal on both sides of the ripple. If trough to crest

on one side is longer than the other, then it is said to be asymmetrical. The length of a ripple is

crest to crest or trough to trough (wavelength) while the height is trough to crest also, called

ripple amplitude.

Generally, asymmetrical ripples produce continental environment (unidirectional, river channel).

Symmetrical ripples are bidirectional (oscillating currents). This symmetrical ripple occurs in

deep water. The outcrop is highly bioturbated with a lot of burrows. It is a coarse grained

sandstone. Presence of fossils like Thalassinoides, Chondrites, Ophiomorpha and Areniticoliths.

We took measurement of the wavelength and amplitude of ripples;

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Ripple 1

Wavelength: 23cm

Amplitude: 6.2cm

Ripple 2

Wavelength: 23cm

Amplitude: 5.5cm

Fig 4.11: Showing trace fossil of Thalassinoides and Ophiomorpha

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Fig 4.12: Outcrop with ripples mark

CHAPTER FIVE

ENGINEERING, ENVIRONMENTAL, STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY OF THE AREA

5.1 ENGINEERING GEOLOGY OF THE AREA

Engineering geology plays a pivotal role in understanding and utilizing the geological features of

Afikpo for various engineering applications. The region’s geology, characterized by a diverse

range of rock formations, offers both challenges and opportunities for engineering endeavours.

Afikpo’s geological composition is crucial in site investigations for construction projects.

Understanding the type and stability of the underlying rocks is essential for designing

foundations that can withstand geological forces. The area is naturally endowed with geologic

materials which directly affect the engineering geology of the area. For example, dolerite

intrusion was observed at station 13 within the Amasiri-sandstone. This dolerite can be used for

construction but cannot be used for engineering purposes in Afikpo region due to the fact that

dolerite rocks are made of high temperature minerals such that they have weak cooling rate

during road construction. The dolerite rather is crushed and used for cement production. The

geology of Afikpo influences the planning and construction of infrastructure such as roads,

bridges, and tunnels. Understanding the geological formations along transportation routes aids in

designing structures that can withstand geological hazards, ensuring the longevity and safety of

the built environment.

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The sedimentary formations in Afikpo are essential for groundwater resources. Engineering

geology is employed to assess the availability and quality of groundwater. Understanding the

geological characteristics of aquifers aids in sustainable management, ensuring a long-term and

reliable water supply for various purposes.

Sedimentary formations, including limestone and shale, demand careful consideration in

foundation engineering to ensure stability. Sandstone which dominates in this area can be used

for construction of houses,roads,etc. Amasiri and Ezeaku sandstone are more useful in terms of

engineering because they are more indurated and hardened whereas the Afikpo sandstone unit is

more plastic than the other two units.

5.2 ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY

The environmental geology of Afikpo encompasses a broad spectrum of geological factors that

influence the natural environment, land use, and conservation efforts in the region.

It is observed that the sediments in the study area were simultaneously deposited by a set of

transgressive and regressive events. There is presence of different rock types like sandstone,

mud, silt, shale, pyroclastic rocks and igneous intrusions. Afikpo lies in the Cross River plain

and the area lies in the formation known as Ezeaku shale formation of the Turonian age. The

result of sedimentation and folding on Afikpo gave rise to two major structural features thus the

Abakaliki anticlinorium and the Afikpo synclinorium. The transgression and regression occurred

in the Cenomanian period.

The major geo-hazards found in the study area of Afikpo are mainly of three (3) types and they

are; ground water erosion, contamination and pollution. All these are of hazardous effect to

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health and could predispose one to health complications. Other hazards harmful to health are

droughts and desertification.

Erosion might arise in such area because of the burning of bushes probably for cultivation and

even uncontrolled deforestation could also make the land easily influenced to erosion thereby

causing leaching. Some of these hazards can be in terms of erosion and pollution. In terms of

erosion, planting of cover crop and also making ridges across slope could minimize the danger to

human health especially when farming is about to take place. Careful application of these

methods will reduce hazards especially the controllable ones to the barest minimum and the lives

of the people will be better.

5.3 STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY OF THE AREA

Structural geology is a branch of geology that investigates the processes and features shaping the

Earth’s crust and the deformations that occur within it. In the case of Afikpo, a region with a

diverse geological history, understanding structural geology provides crucial insights into the

forces that have molded its landscape.

Afikpo’s geological evolution involves compressional, extensional, and shear forces that have

led to folding, faulting, and fracturing of the Earth’s crust. Studying these processes unveils the

region’s tectonic history and the dynamic forces shaping its geological features.

The study area has many structural features which are both primary and secondary structures in

origin. The primary structures observed include ripple marks, cross beddings, laminations, trails

and burrows which are evidence of animals or organisms that were in existence in the past, while

some secondary structures present in the area include fractures (joint and faults) and igneous

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intrusion. The dolerite and exfoliation dome which occurred as a result of spherical weathering

was observed.

5.3.1 Primary Structures

These structures include: cross bedding, bedding planes, ripple marks, etc.

 Cross bedding: These are also called cross stratification developed where the sand has

dropped over the edge for gravity sand bar, migrating sediments usually cause cross

bedding in sandstone, and are common in Amasiri sandstone.

 Ripple marks: these are wave-like sedimentary structures made by water or water

movement mostly observed in the sand units. It has both crest and trough. The type found

in Afikpo is the oscillatory type which gives much information about the energy of the

environment of deposition.

 Biogenic Structures: These are structures made by living organisms. These may be

footprints or traces of feeding habit. Typical examples are the traces of orphiomorphia

and skolithos which were observed in the area

5.3.2 Secondary Structures

They are geologic structures that are formed after the host rock is formed. The secondary

structures encountered in the study area are: joints, faults, igneous activities and angular

unconformity.

 Joints: They are structures that are formed when there is no appreciable displacement in

a fractured terrain. There are lots of these structures within the area especially in the

Ezeaku sandstone outcrop at station 9 (as seen in Fig 3.4)

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  Faults: These are structures that are characterized by appreciable displacement within a

fractured terrain. The fault plane observed in the study area has palm trees clustered

along it which is due to the stream flowing along the strike direction of the fault plane.

Standing at one block of the fault, it was observed that the other block was displaced to

the right which makes it a dextral strike-slip fault.

5.4 Maps and map interpretation

In the map, we worked with latitude 5°50’ to 5°58’ and longitude 7°50’ to 7°58’. The map

identified different sandstone units, bioturbated and cross beds, shales, unconfimity and igneous

intrusion (diorite). The amasiri sandstone is before the unconfimity and the dios here are tectonic

dips. The unconfimity seperates the amasiri sandstone from the Afikpo sandstone. From the top

of the map in the point of unconformity is amasiri sandstone. The dip amount here was above

10°.

CONCLUSION

The study area is situated at Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. The

area is composed of sediments of the upper cretaceous and the various formations encountered

include; Afikpo sandstone, Ezeaku shale and Amasiri sandstone. Ezeaku shale and Amasiri

sandstone are parts of the Ezeaku group which outcrops as a major stratigraphic unit of the

southern Benue trough. Geomorphologically, the area is made up of highlands and lowlands, as a

result of which the drainage pattern is Dendritic. It possesses many geological features both

primary structures such as cross beds, bedding planes and biogenic structures, secondary

structures such as faults and joints and dolerite (igneous) intrusions which can be very useful in

terms of economic geology.

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Afikpo and its environs are important in the study of the geologic history of the southern Benue

trough. The tectonic forces that acted in this area are believed to consist of compressional and

translational forces that have changed at different times in the geologic history forming the

different structures observed today. Structures found in this area are indicative of transgressions

and regressions. The Ezeaku Formation is overlain by the Agwu shale and underlain by the

Odukpani Formation. This area is also found to be associated with dolerite intrusions whose

origin is likely to be from the Oban massif.

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Fig 5.1: Map of study area

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