GEOLOGY AND PEBBLE MORPHOLOGY OF SANDSTONE BEDS AROUND KARAWORO, KABAWA, AND GALILEE AREA OF LOKOJA, NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA

An integrated geology and pebble morphometry of sandstone beds within the Lokoja Formation around Karaworo, Kabawa, and Galilee in the southern Bida Basin, North-Central Nigeria. The research was undertaken to characterize the lithological units, analyze the morphometric properties of pebbles, and interpret the depositional environment and provenance of the formation. Fieldwork involved detailed geological mapping on a scale of 1:12,500, during which sandstones, conglomeritic sandstones, and pebble beds were logged, sampled, and described. A total of 300 pebbles were systematically collected from the three study locations and subjected to morphometric analysis using established indices such as flatness ratio, elongation ratio, maximum projection sphericity index (MPSI), oblate–prolate index (OPI), and roundness. The results shows that the sandstones are predominantly coarse- to medium-grained, moderately sorted, and ferruginized in places, occurring as fining-upward successions with pebble and cobble conglomerates at their bases. Pebble morphometry revealed a dominance of disc- and blade-shaped clasts, with moderate sphericity and low to moderate roundness values. These characteristics indicate deposition under high-energy fluvial conditions with relatively short transport distances. The quartz-rich composition of the pebbles suggests provenance from the nearby Precambrian Basement Complex, consistent with previous studies in the Lokoja sub basin. The study concludes that the Lokoja Formation was deposited mainly in a braided river system, influenced by strong fluvial dynamics and proximal sediment sources. Beyond its sedimentological significance, the formation also holds notable economic potential as a source of construction materials, decorative stones, aquifers, industrial clays, and possible hydrocarbon reservoirs.