Crustal thickness, depth to the bottom of magnetic sources and thermal structure of the crust from Cameroon to Central African Republic: Preliminary results for a better understanding of the origin of the Bangui Magnetic Anomaly

• Published in: Journal of African earth sciences (1994) 2021-07, Vol.179, p.104206, Article 104206
• Main Authors: Njiteu Tchoukeu, Cyrille Donald, Basseka, Charles Antoine, Djomani, Yvette Poudjom, Rousse, Sonia, Etame, Jacques, Llubes, Muriel, Seoane, Lucia, Som Mbang, Constantin, Eyike Yomba, Albert
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bangui magnetic anomaly; Cameroon; Central African Republic; Crustal thickness; Curie depth; Earth Sciences; Geothermal structures; Sciences of the Universe
• ISSN: 1464-343X; 1879-1956
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2021.104206

The Bangui Magnetic Anomaly (BMA) is one of the largest magnetic anomalies in the world whose origin is still not known. This research investigated the crustal thickness, Curie depths and thermal structures in the Central African sub-regions – Cameroon, Central African Republic and adjacent countries – which are largely characterized by the Bangui Magnetic Anomaly. To achieve a better understanding and clearer idea of the location of the possible sources of the BMA, analyses of geothermal structures were conducted. Two potential methods were used: gravity to evaluate the crustal thickness and magnetics for geothermal analysis. Spectral analysis of gravity data shows that crustal thickness range between 14 and 55 km. The highest depths were found in Central African Republic. The lower values of crustal thickness were obtained in South-Chad basin with a minimum of roughly 14 km. Geothermal analysis is carried out using the Curie point depth, thermal gradient and heat-flow evaluations. The results show that the BMA is related to a thick crust of roughly 40 km. Depth to the bottom of possible sources does not exceed the lower crust. The mean Curie point depth estimated is 38 km with an error of ±2 km. Geothermal results also show the difference in the thermal behaviour between the crust in the Pan African and Precambrian domain. The mobile zone which constitutes the Pan African domain is associated with a thin crust of high heat-flow values of 65 mW/m2. However, the Precambrian domain beneath the BMA is associated with a thick crust with lower heat-flow values (roughly 45 mW/m2). The difference between crustal thickness and Curie point depths shows that all the sources of the BMA are crustal. The present results are in favour of a geological origin for the Bangui Magnetic anomaly. •We estimate the crustal thickness between the Cameroon and the Central African Republic based on ground gravity data.•We analyse the depths to the bottom of magnetic sources and thermal structures based on EMAG2 magnetic data.•We correlate the crustal thickness and the depths to the bottom of magnetic sources.•We locate the possible sources of the Bangui Magnetic anomaly.