Mathematical Analysis and Its Application to Kassa Basaltic Rocks of Jos Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

Mathematically, the formation of rock forming minerals from magma, depends on the numerical values of each mineral under thermodynamic conditions. This research was focused on application of mathematical equations using Bowen’s and Goldschmidt concepts to calculate the numerical values of minerals in Kassa Basaltic rocks of Jos Plateau state, Nigeria. Findings have shown that, under mathematical context, Bowen’s and Goldschmidt rules were mathematically connected. Under mathematical context, it is was concluded that the examinations of sampled rocks collected from Kassa Volcanic Basalts, under thin section and chemical analysis using ICPMS, indicate, that minerals observed and chemical composition analyzed, fall within gabbro clan. The gabbro clan includes basalt, dolerite, norite, scoria and gabbro and therefore under mathematically context, Kassa volcanic Basalts particularly for KIA1, are characteristics of rocks of Gabbro clan and the rock type for KIA1 is olivine, alkali 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 (R).