GRAIN SIZE ANALYSIS AND PETROGRAPHY OF GOMBE SANDSTONE AT GOMBE STATE UNIVERSITY STREAM, GOMBE MORTHEASTERN NIGERIA.

ABSTRACT This study investigates the grain size analysis and petrography of Gombe Sandstone located at Gombe State University Stream in Northeastern Nigeria. The primary aim is to characterize the sedimentary features and understand the depositional environment and provenance of the sandstone. Fieldwork involved systematic sample collection, which was followed by laboratory analysis, including thin section preparation and sieve analysis. The results indicate a diverse mineral composition, predominantly consisting of quartz, altered feldspar, orthoclase, and iron oxides. The grain size distribution reveals a range from very fine to coarse grains, suggesting a high-energy depositional environment, likely fluvial in nature. Statistical parameters such as sorting, skewness, and kurtosis were calculated, providing insights into the sediment transport processes and depositional dynamics. The findings contribute to the understanding of the geological history and sedimentary processes within the Benue Trough, highlighting the significance of Gombe Sandstone in the broader context of Nigerian geology.