Lineament Mapping and Geomorphological Assessment of Olokemeji-Eruwa Area Using LANDSAT 8 (OLI) TM+ Image, Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

A satellite-based terrain evaluation of the Olokemeji-Eruwa area, using Landsat images, was carried out in this study in order to evaluate the lineament density, topography and drainage pattern of the area. The study area is predominantly a gneissic terrain with pockets of intrusive rocks spatially distributed within it. The extracted lineament of the area showed heavily fractured bedrock and a lineament density grouped into four categories as micro (< 2km), minor (2-10km), medium (10-199km), and major (100 – 500km). The influence of tectonic events in the study area is showed by the high cross-cutting lineaments. Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and profile graph showed a wide variation in the geomorphology of the study area and this provides a good terrain evaluation to potential miners and explorers. The drainage pattern in the area is predominantly dendritic with few perennial distributaries to the main rivers that drain southwesterly of the study field. The most favorable factors to mineral resource localization in an area are lithology, topography, and geologic formation. A potentially promising site for groundwater availability and mineral deposit occurrence can be assigned to zones with high cross-cutting of lineaments and high lineament density.