Geochemical Classification of Miango Basalt of Jos Plateau State, Nigeria Using Numerical Analysis

ABSTRACT:

Numerically, the formation of rock forming minerals from magma, depends on the numerical values of each mineral under thermodynamic conditions. This research was focused on geochemical classification of Miango basalt using numerical analysis. Findings have shown that, under mathematical context with Bowen’s and Goldschmidt rules, the Miango basaltic sample of MIANGO VOLCANIC FIELD falls within gabbro clan and the estimated minerals using an empirical approach, are Ferro-augite (Basic Clino-pyroxene), Hortonolite (Basic olivine), Labradorite (Basic Plagioclase) and Ulvospinel (Iron ore). The gabbro clan includes basalt, dolerite, norite, scoria and gabbro and therefore empirically, Miango basaltic sample of MIANGO VOLCANIC FIELD was found to be characteristics of rock of Gabbro clan and the rock type for Miango basaltic sample in MIANGO VOLCANIC FIELD is Alkaline Olivine basalt magma type. Finally, the “mathematical connection” between Bowen’s and Goldschmidt concepts was used in this research for a concise explanation of rock forming minerals from the beginning to the end of crystallization and would help the ‘beginners’ especially students of Earth sciences such as Geology, Mineralogy, Petrology and other chemical sciences such as Chemistry, Geochemistry and Petroleum Geology to have clear understanding of rock forming minerals from the Resident magma.

Keywords: Numerical, Geology, Bowen, Goldschmidt, Basalt