**1. Introduction**

An inventory of all the volcanic prone areas on the Jos and Biu Plateaux were carried out, followed by detailed update of the Geology of two major volcanic areas on the Jos Plateau volcanic provinces (Kassa and Kerang volcanoes). The geochemistry (major, trace and REEs compositions) of these volcanoes were determined and a few dating using 40Ar-39Ar technique were performed on the Kassa basalts. Hydrogeochemical investigations of the Pidong Volcanic Crater Lake have also been carried out to constraint the chemical element sources into the Lake. Also, 40Ar-39Ar

**4**

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*Forecasting Volcanic Eruptions*

2000;**41**:991-1006

Letters. 2004;**218**:1-16

Letters. 2003;**210**:1-15

DOI: 10.1130/B30720.1

This Volume

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[11] Vega L. Towards a New Conceptual and Methodological Approach for the Integral Evaluation of Volcanic Risk.

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[4] Cashman KV, Sparks RSJ. How volcanoes work: A 25 year perspective. Geological Society of America. 2013.

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[6] Mandal P. P-Wave Teleseismic Tomography: Evidence of Imprints of Deccan Mantle Plume below the Kachchh Rift Zone, Gujarat, India. 2019.

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Korea. 2019. This Volume

in Nigeria? 2019. This Volume

Tsalha M. Is a Volcanic Eruption Possible

## *Forecasting Volcanic Eruptions*

dating of the basalts of the Kassa volcanic field has revealed young ages spanning from 2.5, 1.97, 1.66, 1.39 to 1.34 Ma confirming the recent but short interval and multiple successive episodes of eruptions associated with volcanic activity in the region. Similar ages in the range of 2.1–0.9 Ma have been reported from basaltic rocks from the Benue Trough and a dolerite dyke from the region [1]. These same range of ages (of 2.83–0 Ma) have been obtained on basaltic rocks from the near-by Cameroon Volcanic Line (CVL) [1]. The Jos Plateau basalts vary in composition from basalt proper to trachyandesitic varieties of alkaline basalt magma series and some tholeiitic affinity [2]. Contrarily to the general notion that volcanoes are only associated with plate margins alone, the volcanoes in Nigeria are emplaced within the continent, associated with mantle Hot Spots. Records of gas emissions at Lakes Monoun and Nyos in Cameroon Republic in 1984 and 1986 respectively destroyed

lives and properties within 14 km radius to a large extent, affected some communities in Nigeria (Mambilla Plateau and Katsina-Ala River banks) [3]. This research attempts to provide answers as to whether it is possible that the dormant volcanoes in Nigeria with no recorded history of eruption could roar back to life? Some reported successive minor volcanic activities within the Cameroon Volcanic Line (CVL) (1909, 1922, 1954, 1959 and 1982) are pointers to the possibility of the

An understanding of the geology is important in studying natural hazards related to volcanism because the geology influences tectonic movement which leads to the disequilibrium of the ecosystem and other environmental components.

The Nigeria-Cameroon Volcanic Provinces lie within the Pan-African collision belt of West Africa (**Figure 1**). In Nigeria, the volcanic provinces (Jos Plateau, Biu Plateau, Benue Valley, etc.) are confined to the northeastern and central regions [4]. The volcanic provinces are characterized by numerous volcanic cones and lava flows consisting of alkaline olivine basalts together with less important trachyte and

Apparently, the large volcanic province of Nigeria suggests that volcanic activity during the Quaternary, was intense on the Jos Plateau, the Benue trough and along the northeast to southwest Cameroon line. Like the Jos Plateau volcanic regions, most of the main volcanic provinces such as the Bamenda Highlands, the Mambilla

The Cameroon Volcanic Line which extends from the Gulf of Guinea, Island of Annobon, Sao Tome and Principe and Fernando Po splits into two branches, one extending into northern Nigeria forming the Biu Plateau while the other extending eastward forming the Ngoude Plateau of Eastern Cameroun (**Figure 1**). Thus, in Nigeria, the volcanic provinces occur as relicts of volcanism in the form of scattered volcanic plugs and cones in some cases [5]. On the relatively uplifted Jos Plateau region, volcanic rocks are represented by volcanic cones and calderas [2].

Some of these cones generally rise only few hundred meters above the Plateau surface and are steep-sided with a central crater which may measure up to 450 m usually emerging at a breached in the crater wall. They are mainly built of basaltic

Reconnaissance visits were carried out to past volcanic eruption sites where a careful and systematic mapping of each of the volcanoes visited were carried out so as to determine its nature, size and composition. Other information acquired was their physical surface weathering features, morphology, outcrop patterns and the

Rock samples were collected for petrography, geochemistry and geochronology.

Both petrographic and geochemical studies were done in the Department of Geology, University of Jos, Nigeria. 40Ar-39Ar dating on the basalts was done in

Plateau and the Adamawa Plateau are characterized by basement uplift [5].

scoria, volcanic ash, lava and with some variety of inclusions.

reactivation of some dormant volcanoes in Nigeria.

*Is a Volcanic Eruption Possible in Nigeria? DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.84253*

**2. Geologic settings**

phonolite intrusive rocks [5].

**3. Materials and methods**

extent of vegetation cover.

**3.2 Petrographic and geochemical studies**

**3.1 Field mapping**

**7**

**Figure 1.** *Locations of the Jos and Biu Plateaux Volcanic Provinces, Nigeria.*

lives and properties within 14 km radius to a large extent, affected some communities in Nigeria (Mambilla Plateau and Katsina-Ala River banks) [3]. This research attempts to provide answers as to whether it is possible that the dormant volcanoes in Nigeria with no recorded history of eruption could roar back to life? Some reported successive minor volcanic activities within the Cameroon Volcanic Line (CVL) (1909, 1922, 1954, 1959 and 1982) are pointers to the possibility of the reactivation of some dormant volcanoes in Nigeria.
