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Difficulty: HardRelief, Physical Regions, and Drainage Systems of Nigeria

The Jos Plateau functions as the primary hydrological hub of Nigeria from which several major rivers radiate. How do the high elevation and structural relief of this plateau influence the regional destination of its surrounding river systems?

  1. Headwaters flow radially outward from the central high elevation, with northern streams discharging into the interior Lake Chad basin and southern and western streams feeding the Niger-Benue river system.Answer
  2. B
    All rivers originating from the plateau flow exclusively southward into the Niger Delta due to a continuous gentle slope of the basement rocks toward the Atlantic coast.
  3. C
    The plateau is composed predominantly of soft marine sedimentary rocks that have eroded to direct all drainage eastwards into the River Benue trough.
  4. D
    Tectonic subsidence at the plateau's core creates a centripetal drainage pattern where peripheral rivers flow inward toward a central highland lake.

Answer

Headwaters flow radially outward from the central high elevation, with northern streams discharging into the interior Lake Chad basin and southern and western streams feeding the Niger-Benue river system.
The Jos Plateau acts as Nigeria's main hydrographic center. Due to its elevated domed structure, rivers radiate in multiple directions: northern rivers (such as the Hadejia-Jama'are system) drain northeastward into the closed inland Lake Chad basin, while rivers flowing west, south, and southeast (such as the Kaduna and Gongola rivers) feed into the Niger-Benue system.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the structural relief character of the Jos Plateau.
The Jos Plateau is a high highland dome rising over 1,200 meters above sea level in central Nigeria.
Topographic elevation dictates the directional flow of headwaters.
2
Analyze the drainage pattern generated by an elevated highland dome.
A high central point surrounded by lower plains develops a radial drainage pattern where rivers flow outward in all compass directions.
Gravity causes water to flow down slope away from the high central plateau.
3
Trace the major regional river destinations from the plateau.
Streams flowing north and northeast (e.g., Hadejia, Jama'are) empty into the inland Lake Chad drainage basin, while streams flowing west and south (e.g., Kaduna, Gongola, Ankwe) join the Niger-Benue drainage network.
Nigeria is divided into two primary drainage realms: the Atlantic/Niger-Benue system and the interior Lake Chad basin.

Key Concept

Radial Drainage Pattern and Hydrographic Center of Nigeria
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

Relief, Physical Regions, and Drainage Systems of Nigeria

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