A new edge recognition technology based on the normalized vertical derivative of the total horizontal derivative for potential field data

Edge detection and enhancement techniques are commonly used in recognizing the edge of geologic bodies using potential field data. We present a new edge recognition technology based on the normalized vertical derivative of the total horizontal derivative which has the functions of both edge detection and enhancement techniques. First, we calculate the total horizontal derivative （THDR） of the potential-field data and then compute the n-order vertical derivative （VDRn） of the THDR. For the n-order vertical derivative, the peak value of total horizontal derivative （PTHDR） is obtained using a threshold value greater than 0. This PTHDR can be used for edge detection. Second, the PTHDR value is divided by the total horizontal derivative and normalized by the maximum value. Finally, we used different kinds of numerical models to verify the effectiveness and reliability of the new edge recognition technology.

Normalized edge detection, and the horizontal extent and depth of geophysical anomalies

Edge detection is an image processing technique for finding the boundaries of objects within images. It is typically used to interpret gravity and magnetic data, and find the horizontal boundaries of geological bodies. Large deviations between model and true edges are common because of the interference of depth and errors in computing the derivatives; thus, edge detection methods cannot provide information about the depth of the source. To simultaneously obtain the horizontal extent and depth of geophysical anomalies, we use normalized edge detection filters, which normalize the edge detection function at different depths, and the maxima that correspond to the location of the source. The errors between model and actual edges are minimized as the depth of the source decreases and the normalized edge detection method recognizes the extent of the source based on the maxima, allowing for reliable model results. We demonstrate the applicability of the normalized edge detection filters in defining the horizontal extent and depth using synthetic and actual aeromagnetic data.

Identification of the Caroline Plate boundary:constraints from magnetic anomaly

The Caroline Plate is located among the Pacific Plate,the Philippine Sea Plate,and the India Australia Plate,and plays a key role in controlling the spreading direction of the Philippine Sea Plate.The Caroline Submarine Plateau(or Caroline Ridge)and the Eauripik Rise on the south formed a remarkable T-shaped large igneous rock province,which covered the northern boundary between the Caroline Plate and the Pacific Plate.However,relationship between these tectonic units and magma evolution remains unclear.Based on magnetic data from the Earth Magnetic Anomaly Grid(2-arc-minute resolution)(V2),the normalized vertical derivative of the total horizontal derivative(NVDR-THDR)technique was used to study the boundary of the Caroline Plate.Results show that the northern boundary is a transform fault that runs 1400 km long in approximately 28 km wide along the N8°in E-W direction.The eastern boundary is an NNW-SSE trending fault zone and subduction zone with a width of tens to hundreds of kilometers;and the north of N4°is a fracture zone of dense faults.The southeastern boundary may be the Lyra Trough.The area between the southwestern part of the Caroline Plate and the Ayu Trough is occupied by a wide shear zone up to 100 km wide in nearly S-N trending in general.The Eauripik transform fault(ETF)in the center of the Caroline Plate and the fault zones in the east and west basins are mostly semi-parallel sinistral NNW-SSE–trending faults,which together with the eastern boundary Mussau Trench(MT)sinistral fault,the northern Caroline transform fault(CTF),and the southern shear zone of the western boundary,indicates the sinistral characteristics of the Caroline Plate.The Caroline hotspot erupted in the Pacific Plate near the CTF and formed the west Caroline Ridge,and then joined with the Caroline transform fault at the N8°.A large amount of magma erupted along the CTF,by which the east Caroline Ridge was formed.At the same time,a large amount of magma developed southward via the eastern branch of the ETF,forming the northern segment of the Eauripik Rise.Therefore,the magmatic activity of the T-shaped large igneous province is obviously related to the fault structure of the boundary faults between the Caroline Plate and Pacific Plate,and the active faults within the Caroline Plate.

Structural Study of the Kakobola Area and Its Surroundings by Detecting the Edges of Gravity Anomaly Sources

The area covered by this study is the county of Kakobola and its surroundings. Previous studies show that those related to the study of depths by the gravity method, using other techniques, are not always carried out until now. The main goal of this article is the gravimetric characterization of our area by other approach. The interest is not only to map the lineaments and to know their dip, but also to estimate the depths of these different anomalies. The methods used for this study are the first total horizontal derivative (FTHDT), tilt angle (TA), analytical signal (AS) and horizontal gradient magnitude (HGM). The processing of the complete Bouguer anomalies (CBA) data was done mainly through software. Data analysis using the semi-finished body depth method shows depths ranging from 7.49 m to 224.6 m. Data analysis using the AS method shows values ranging from 41.7 mGal/m to 510 mGal/m. The fractures and/or geological contacts in our study area show dips ranging from -73.73° to 68.16° and North-South orientation according to the tilt angle method. The FTHDT shows several lineaments, a NE oriented fracture of Kakobola and low dip values which suggest a tabular structure of the subsurface in our study area. According to the HGM, the study area shows several preferential directions of fractures and/or geological contacts whose the most frequent directions are the NNE-SSW and WNW.

The Use of Edge Enhancement Methods and Euler Deconvolution to Estimate an Ore Deposit Depth from Gravity Data

The Hercynian massif of the central Jebilet (Morocco) is characterized by the outcrop of many gossans with great economic importance. This work focuses on interpreting gravity data of Benslimane gossan, located about thirty kilometres to the North-West of Marrakech. The residual gravity map of the study area highlights several anomalies which coincide with the mining and geological contexts. Applying edge detection methods, for example, tilt angle derivative (TDR), the total horizontal derivative of the tilt angle derivative (HDR_TDR) and the 3D Euler deconvolution, allowed us to estimate the depth of the Benslimane deposit. As a result, the average depth of the ore deposit was estimated to exceed 200 m. The results are promising, and the processing methods must be applied to the other gossan in the Jebilet massif for further exploration studies.