Crustal structure beneath the Mount Cameroon region derived from recent gravity measurements

Abstract

In this study, the recent update of the gravity database with new measurements has raised the opportunity of improving the knowledge of the crustal structure beneath the large volcanic system called Mount Cameroon, and its implication in the regional tectonics. The multi-scale wavelet analysis method was applied to highlight the geologic features of the area, and their depths were estimated using the logarithmic power spectrum method. The results reveal a complex crustal structure beneath Mount Cameroon with high variation in the lateral distribution of crustal densities. The upper and lower crusts are intruded by dense materials originating from the mantle with less lateral extension. The trends of Tiko and Ekona faults along the intrusion suggest tectonic activities as deep as 25 km. The difference in mantle composition or temperature between the East and the West of the studied area is clearly seen in detailed wavelet images and agrees with a mantle origin for the Cameroon Volcanic Line.

Refinement of Bouguer anomalies derived from the EGM2008 model, impact on gravimetric signatures in mountainous region: Case of Cameroon Volcanic Line, Central Africa

“…Mount Cameroon is an inaccessible area to measure gravity data because of its rugged terrain. Many geophysical investigations with new gravity data are being carried out around this area to improve knowledge of the nature of shallow and deep structures, the orthometric height of Mount Cameroon, and the depth of various geological features (Kenfack et al, 2011; Kamguia et al, 2015; Nguiya et al, 2019). Despite better results, improvements are still to be made in our knowledge of this mountainous area.…”

“…The acquired data were corrected for instrumental drift. Using the Geodetic Reference System GRS80, the Bouguer anomaly was computed for all survey stations Nguiya et al (2019). have recently used these gravity data to study the crustal structure beneath the Mount Cameroon region.…”

Crustal Thickness Variations and Tectonic Settings in the Southwest Cameroon Inferred from Gravity and Topography Data

“…The process details of this method can be found in the studies of [35,[67][68][69]. The density values of 2.67 g/cm 3 and 1.63 g/cm 3 were used, respectively, for the topographic and bathymetric corrections.…”

“…The knowledge of the geodynamic evolution of the major tectonic features such as the Northwestern part of the CC, the PAB of central Africa, the CVL, and the coastal sedimentary basins is still a controversial debate [1][2][3]. To provide a scientific response related to geodynamic processes beneath the Earth's continental lithosphere, many geoscientists car-ried out study related to gravitational equilibrium between the Earth's crust and the shallow lithospheric mantle to enhance the understanding of isostatic constraints, Earth's crust deformation, and the mountain formation [4][5][6][7].…”

Characterization of Groundwater Zones and Salinity Assessment in Aquifers of the Campo District, South Cameroon Using the GIS, AHP and PCA Approach.

“…In a coastal zone, high amounts of salt in groundwater have negative repercussions for residents, agricultural, and industrial activity (Hounsinou, 2020). To better understand the geological features of southern Cameroon, numerous geophysical and geological research have been conducted (Aretouyap et al, 2020;Joseph Martial et al, 2019;Nguiya et al, 2019). These studies have permitted the detection of aquifers and the discovery of geoelectric sections (José et al, 2021;Tepoule, Kenfack et al, 2021).…”