EXPLORING GEOTHERMAL DYNAMICS: CORRELATION ANALYSIS OF CURIE POINT DEPTH, HEAT FLOW, AND GEOTHERMAL GRADIENT IN SOUTH-EASTERN NIGERIA

This study examines fluctuations in the geothermal gradient, heat flow, and Curie point depth in southeast Nigeria. The study employs statistical correlation methods to examine the relationship between several geothermal indicators to gain a thorough understanding of the subsurface thermal dynamics and geological characteristics of the area. The aim of employing correlation approaches in statistical analysis is to develop a model that elucidates the connections among heat flow, Curie point depth, and geothermal gradient values in South-Eastern Nigeria. The research area spans from 5°001′ N to 6°301′ N latitude and from 7°001′ E to 8°301′ E longitude, covering approximately 27,225 km2. The Curie point’s depth, heat flow, and geothermal gradient were calculated by detailed analysis of high-resolution aircraft magnetic data, offering valuable information about the area’s geothermal characteristics. Curie point depths have been verified to vary between 20.416 and 29.544 km, with geothermal gradients varying from 16.92 to 26.78 oC/m2. The predicted heat flow varies between 42.30 and 66.95 mWm-2. The study found a negative correlation between heat flow and Curie Point Depth, indicating that heat flow reduces as Curie depth increases in the studied area. Heat flow, geothermal gradient, and Curie point depth are significantly correlated, with R2 values exceeding 0.5, as determined through statistical analysis utilizing the correlation technique. The visual representation highlights the significance of the interaction between these components by elucidating their connection and shared principles. This indicates a strong correlation between heat flow, geothermal gradient, and Curie point depth, emphasizing their interdependence.