Structural setting of the Koum sedimentary basin (north Cameroon) derived from EGM2008 gravity field interpretation

Abstract

This study is a contribution to the planning of hydrocarbon exploration program of the Koum sedimentary basin in North Cameroon. 3D modeling of WGM2012 gravity data derived from EGM2008 geopotential model in the Koum basin was used together with existing geological and spectral analysis information to give structural picture of the basin. The 3D model of the Koum basin confirms that the basin is developed as a half graben bounded by sub-vertical faults. The thickness of the Cenozoic sediments is about 1.5 km in the eastern part and reaches 4.5 km in the western part of the basin. Gravity lineaments computed by multi-scale analysis revealed structural trends in the E-W, NW-SE, NE-WS and N-S directions. The faults in the sedimentary terrain reach 6 km depth and have a predominant NW-SE trend with E-W trending faults along the contact between the sedimentary section and the basement complex in the northern edge.