Use of Landsat 8 OLI and Aeromagnetic Data for Structural Mapping of Pako Basin Region, North Benin

Abstract

Spectral geology and aeromagnetic data help geoscientists in mapping and prediction of potential mineral areas. This paper aims to present structural features of the poorly studied Pako region of northern Benin using Landsat 8 OLI images and aeromagnetic data. Remote sensing technique led to the discovery of several faults of two main directions (N-S and E-W), resulting from great regional tectonics’ deformations. The other faults have NE-SW to NW-SE orientations. Among identified faults, N-S faults (N18°) gathering 14% and E-W (N92°) to NW-SE (N160°) fractures cumulating 61% limit the basin on both sides. Therefore, these faults could be interpreted as border fractures which have initiated the formation of Pako basin. Total magnetic field technique held to define anomalous zones and associate shears zones in order to identify potential corridors of mineralization. Field observations in Pako region have confirmed the existence of brittle deformations, as sociated to dextral and/or senestral detachment, and ductile deformations with rotational dextral components. The integration of our results with the regional geological context allow to propose a structural model of Pako region.