Seismic refraction data was acquired in the Middle Benue Trough which is located in the north central Nigeria with latitude 07.5-08.5oN and longitude 08.00-09.30oE. The aim was to find out how velocity vary in the near-surface layers in the area using seismic refraction data. The seismic survey was investigated at 14 acquisition stations. Two overlapping reversed profiles were shot into 14 stations. Each acquisition station was primed with 0.20kg dynamite loaded at 1.5m below the surface. The recording equipment was McSeis-160MXTM, and monitor record was processed with Microsoft Excel software to determine the velocities from both the forward and reversed shot-points. The results show two distinct layers cases. The thickness of the topmost layer varies between 2.75m and 5.45m with a mean of 4.1m. The velocity of this topmost layer varies between 399.0 ms-1 and 767.0ms-1 with a mean of 604.8ms-1. The velocity of the underlying layer (V1) varies between 1212.5ms-1 and 3257.0ms-1 with a mean of 1757.9ms-1. The velocity increases with depth into the subsurface. The results are useful in locating groundwater aquifer, and in the design of source-receiver arrays for reflection seismic.

Six uphole seismic refraction profiles were acquired in Pindiga Field, Gombe in Nigeria, using seismic uphole refraction method. The aim of the study was parameterize the site of lithology, near-surface stratigraphy, and velocity for geotechnical and velocity regimes for seismic data processing. The data was recorded using Stratavisor Model NZXP Recorders, processed and interpreted using OMNI, Petrel, Landmark, UDISYS, SeisUp, WavePack, Excel softwares. The results of the interpreted data reveal three-layer cases having dominant geologic lithologic sequences of sandstone, clay and silt, and intercalation of laterite, ironstone, coal and gravels up to a depth of 65m. The sand is an admixture of the various sizes but demarcation is based on the size as define by Wentworth scale of classification. In the First Weathered Layer, the velocity varies between 363ms-1 and 453ms-1 with an average of 391ms-1. In the Second Weathered Layer, the velocity varies between 702ms-1 and 870ms-1 with an average of 834ms-1. For the Third Weathered Layer, the velocity varies between 1012ms-1 and 2104ms-1 with an average of 1182ms-1. In the Consolidated Layer, the velocity varies between 1012ms-1 and 2104ms-1 with an average of 1182ms-1. Velocity regime varies between 1235ms-1 and 2500ms-1 with an average of 1556ms-1. First Weathered Layer, the thickness varies between 2.6m and 4.7m with an average of 3.45m. Second Weathered Layer, the thickness varies between 0.9m and 41.5m with an average of 22.75m. Third Weathered Layer, the thickness varies between 12.5m and 45.9m with an average of 26.43m. The lithology, depth and velocity results of this work can be used to characterize a site, and also be applied in the processing of seismic reflection survey data.

A study of the effect of near-surface temperature on fields of subsurface geothermal gradient and heat flow has been carried out in the Bornu-Chad Basin, Nigeria, using corrected Bottom-Hole Temperatures (BHTc) lithologic-log data from 9 oil wells. The geothermal gradient using only BHTs ranges from 15.9oCkm-1 to 38.2oCkm-1 with an average of 26.9+/-3.5oCkm-1, while that computed with mean annual temperature and BHTs ranges from 28.2oCkm-1 to 51.5oCkm-1with an average of 37.5+/-2.5oCkm-1. The geothermal gradient using the mean annual temperature and BHTs in the Bornu-Chad is higher than using only BHTs by 7.0oCkm-1. Heatflow ranges from a minimum of 61 mWm-2 to a maximum of 114mWm-2 with an average of 68+/-5.89mWm-2. The isotherm maps exhibit an increasing SW-NE trend. An average heat flow of 68+/-5.9mWm-2 deduced from Bornu-Chad basin is normal for a continental passive margin with age of about 100My. Geothermal gradient results show a distinct and direct relationship with near-surface conditions. There are indications that surface heat flow is controlled by lithology, geothermal gradient and near-surface solar radiation conditions in the Bornu-Chad basin. Consequently, it is recommended that the mean surface temperature be used in geothermal gradients and heatflows estimations. The knowledge of geothermal properties is very important in the search for geothermal energy in the area of study.

Aeromagnetic data acquired over part of the Anambra Basin is analyzed to determine the structural pattern and sedimentary thickness of the basin. The study area is covered by high resolution aeromagnetic data on sheets 301 (Udi), 302 (Nkalagu), 312 (Okigwe) and 313 (Afikpo), and lies between latitudes 5o30’0’‘-6o30’0’‘ and longitudes 7o0’0”-8o0’0”. The whole area was divided into 25 overlapping blocks of 37.2km2 each and a 2D energy spectral analysis was carried out. Total magnetic intensity data was subjected to filtering and analytical techniques to determine the structural pattern, mineralization potential, depth to the basement, variation in the sedimentary thickness. The structural map generated using the vertical derivatives shows that the major structural orientation of the area is in the ENE-WSW trend and the minor trend is the NW to SE direction widespread all over the area. These structures are as a result of the various near-surface magnetic intrusion within the study area. The spectral analysis result shows two depth layers, the deep and the shallow depth, the depth to magnetic basement for the deep anomalous source ranges from 3.3km to 4.8 4km with an average depth of 3.99km, while the depth to shallow magnetic sources ranges between 0.46km to 0.67km and an average of 0.56km within the area. The mineralization pattern in this area follows the ENE-WSW direction.