Basement Induced Active Faults and their Effects on Cretaceous and Tertiary Sedimentary Successions in Offshore Benin Basin, Nigeria

Solomon O. Olabode and John A. Adekoya
Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

The south eastern part of Benin basin preserves a record of Cretaceous and Tertiary sedimentary rock units. Some part of these rock units have been affected by basement induced fault systems, which are hitherto active. Regional interpretation of seismic reflections have revealed the influence of these deep-seated basement faults on the overlying sediments. The interpretation show that three zones can be delineated: (i) tectonically active distal offshore parts, (ii) tectonically active proximal north western part and (iii) other areas not affected by these faults. In the tectonically active areas most of the early features that control sediment accumulation such as horst and graben, basement topography, subsidence and uplift have been altered by the latest events of the active faults. These deductions suggest that on a local scale this part of the basin has been tectonically active, which will bring a new insight into the understanding of the basin geology and planning of exploration activities in the basin.