Applying Source Parameter Imaging (SPI) to Aeromagnetic Data to Estimate Depth to Magnetic Sources in the Mamfe Sedimentary Basin

Aeromagnetic data over the Mamfe Basin have been processed. A regional magnetic gridded dataset was obtained from the Total Magnetic Intensity (TMI) data grid using a 3 × 3 convolution (Hanning) filter to remove regional trends. Major similarities in magnetic field orientation and intensities were observed at identical locations on both the regional and TMI data grids. From the regional and TMI gridded datasets, the residual dataset was generated which represents the very shallow geological features of the basin. Processing this residual data grid using the Source Parameter Imaging (SPI) for magnetic depth suggests that the estimated depths to magnetic sources in the basin range from about 271 m to 3552 m. The highest depths are located in two main locations somewhere around the central portion of the study area which correspond to the area with positive magnetic susceptibilities, as well as the areas extending outwards across the eastern boundary of the study area. Shallow magnetic depths are prominent towards the NW portion of the basin and also correspond to areas of negative magnetic susceptibilities. The basin generally exhibits a variation in depth of magnetic sources with high, average and shallow depths. The presence of intrusive igneous rocks was also observed in this basin. This characteristic is a pointer to the existence of geologic resources of interest for exploration in the basin.

Aeromagnetic Imagery as a Tool to Help Identify the Structures Controlling the Emplacement of the Kenieba Kimberlite Pipes (Western Mali, West African Craton)

A kimberlite field, represented by fertile and sterile kimberlite pipes (chimneys) is located in the region of Kenieba (West Mali, Kédougou-Kenieba inlier, West African Craton). Thirty pipes and kimberlite dykes have been identified in the birimian formations, composed mainly of metasediments and granitoids, covered by sedimentary formations (sandstones and conglomerates) of Neoproterozoic age. All these formations are injected with dykes and doleritic sills of Jurassic age. The study of kimberlite pipes is still stammering in Mali, and thus no previous study has allowed to characterize the structures controlling their implementation. The reinterpretation of aeromagnetic data validated by field work indicates that the major structures of the Kenieba region are oriented NNE-SSW, NE-SW, E-W and NW-SE. These structures (faults and kimberlite pipes) are often associated with dolerite dykes, which would imply an injection of dolerite magma into the other formations. The location of the known kimberlite pipes makes it possible to say that the direction NW-SE is the most favorable for the exploration of kimberlites in the region of Kenieba.

Tectonic boundaries in the South China Sea from aeromagnetic signature

Magnetic data has been widely applied in the tectonic division.High-resolution magnetic data were used to analyze the geotectonic zoning of the South China Sea.Based on the newly compilated magnetic data,the processing results and the distribution of known faults,we consider that the U-shaped line approximately along the South China Sea national boundary of China shown in the magnetic map is a significant geological and geophysical boundary.We first described the linear characteristics of the magnetic data and then applied pseudo-gravity,Euler deconvolution,tilt derivatives,and the texture segmentation method to process the data.Results show that the dividing line between the South China Sea and the surrounding blocks is approximately along this U-shaped line.The dividing line between the South China domain and the South China Sea domain is along with the Dongsha Islands to Xisha Trough,which is different from the previous geophysical zoning results.Our results are almost consistent with those of the gravity data indicating roughly the tectonic zonation along the U-shaped line.

Characteristics of the crystalline basement beneath the Ordos Basin:Constraint from aeromagnetic data

Aeromagnetic anomaly zonation of the Ordos Basin and adjacent areas was obtained by processing high-precision and large-scale aeromagnetic anomalies with an approach of reduction to the pole upward continuation. Comparative study on aeromagnetic and seismic tomography suggests that aeromagnetic anomalies in this area are influenced by both the magnetic property of the rock and the burial depth of the Precambrian crystalline basement. Basement depth might be the fundamental control factor for aeromagnetic anomalies because the positive and negative anomalies on the reduction to the pole- upward-continuation anomaly maps roughly coincide with the uplifts and depressions of the crystalline basement in the basin. The results, together with the latest understanding of basement faults, SHRIMP U-Pb zircon dating of metamorphic rock and granite, drilling data, detrital zircon ages, and gravity data interpretation, suggest that the Ordos block is not an entirety of Archean.

Serpentinized Peridotite as Source of Aeromagnetic Anomalies

The source of long-wavelength aeromagnetic anomalies appears to originate from the earth's deep crust. Constrained by previous studies on geochemical, petrologic analysis, the eclogite and serpentinized peridotite samples from drill hole ZK703 at Donghai in the western Sulu ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) terrane, East China, were unambiguously exhumed from the lower crust and the upper mantle, providing significant information about the magnetic properties of rocks at a deeper part of the crust. Results show that the serpentinization process favors the neoformation of nearly stoichiometric magnetite, resulting in the enhancement of its magnetization up to 8.6 A/m, which is sufficient enough to contribute to some magnetic anomalies. In contrast, eclogite samples have only weaker magnetization (generally less than 0.05 A/m) compared to serpentinized peridotite. Nevertheless, experiments under the lower crustal conditions are necessary to further support these conclusions.

Aeromagnetic signatures of Precambrian shield and suture zones of Peninsular India

In many Precambrian provinces the understanding of the tectonic history is constrained by limited exposure and aeromagnetic data provide information below the surface cover of sediments, water, etc. and help build a tectonic model of the region. The advantage of using the aeromagnetic data is that the data set has uniform coverage and is independent of the accessibility of the region. In the present study, available reconnaissance scale aeromagnetic data over Peninsular India are analyzed to understand the magnetic signatures of the Precambrian shield and suture zones thereby throwing light on the tectonics of the region. Utilizing a combination of differential reduction to pole map, analytic signal, vertical and tilt derivative and upward continuation maps we are able to identify magnetic source distribution, tectonic elements, terrane boundaries, suture zones and metamorphic history of the region. The mag- netic sources in the region are mainly related to charnockites, iron ore and alkaline intrusives. Our analysis suggests that the Chitradurga boundary shear and Sileru shear are terrane boundaries while we interpret the signatures of Palghat Cauvery and Achankovil shears to represent suture zones. Processes like metamorphism leave their signatures on the magnetic data： prograde granulites （charnockites） and retrograde eclogites are known to have high susceptibility. We find that charnockites intruded by alkali plutons have higher magnetization compared to the retrogressed charnockites. We interpret that the Dharwar craton to the north of isograd representing greenschist to amphibolite facies transition, has been subjected to metamorphism under low geothermal conditions. Some recent studies suggest a plate tectonic model of subduction collision-accretion tectonics around the Palghat Cauvery shear zone （PCSZ）. Our analysis is able to identify several west to east trending high amplitude magnetic anomalies with deep sources in the region from Palghat Cauvery shear to Achankovil shear. The magnetic high associated with PCSZ may represent the extruded high pressure-ultra high temperature metamorphic belt （granulites at shallow levels and retrogressed eclogites at deeper levels） formed as a result of subduction process. The EW highs within the Madurai block can be related to the metamorphosed clastic sediments, BIF and mafic/ultramafic bodies resulting from the process of accretion.

The Rhyacian El Cortijo suture zone: Aeromagnetic signature and insights for the geodynamic evolution of the southwestern Rio de la Plata craton, Argentina

The amalgamation of the southern Rio de la Plata craton involves two possibly coeval Rhyacian sutures associated with the Transamazonian orogeny, rather than a single one as previously envisaged, i.e. the El Cortijo suture zone and the Salado suture. We circumscribe the Tandilia terrane to the region between these two sutures. The E1 Cortijo suture zone runs along a roughly WNW oriented magnetic low aligned along the southern boundary of the Tandilia terrane, i.e. boundary between the Tandilia and Balcarce terranes. This extensive magnetic low, ca. 300 km long, and ca. 90 km wide, would be caused by demagnetization associated with shearing. At a more local scale, the trend of the El Cortijo suture zone often turns toward the E-W. At this scale, WNW trending tholeiitic dykes of Statherian age are seen to cut the Rhyacian E1 Cortijo suture zone. Spatially associated with the El Corti]o suture zone, there are small magnetic highs interpreted to be related to unexposed basic bodies of ophiolitic nature related to those forming part of the El Cortijo Formation. We envisage the pre-Neoproterozoic evolution of the Tandilia belt to have been initiated by the extension of Neoarchean （ - 2650 Ma） crust occurred during Siderian times （2500-2300 Ma）, causing the separation between the Balcarce, Tandilia and Buenos Aires terranes, and the development of narrow oceans at both north and south sides of the Tandilia terrane, accompanied by -2300-2200 Ma sedi- mentation over transitional -continental to oceanic- crust, and arc magmatism developed in the Tan- dilia terrane. The island arc represented by the El Cortijo Formation was also developed at this time. At late Rhyacian times, it occurred in both the closure of the narrow oceans developed previously, the entrapment of the El Cortijo island arc, as well as anatectic magmatism in the Balcarce terrane.

+-Evidence of Porphyry Deposits in the Ntem Complex: A Case Study from Structural and Hydrothermal Alteration Zones Mapping through Landsat-8 OLI, Aeromagnetic and Geological Data Integration in the Yaounde-Sangmelima Region (Southern Cameroon)

A semi-regional study was carried out in the Yaounde-Sangmelima area, a densely vegetated tropical region of southern Cameroon located in the Central Africa Fold Belt (CAFB)/Congo Craton (CC) transition zone. Towards structural lineaments and predictive hydrothermal porphyry deposits mapping, an integrated analysis of Landsat-8 OLI data, aeromagnetic, geological and mineral indices maps was performed. The Remote sensing using False colour composite images involving bands combinations and Crosta method (features oriented principal components analysis) enabled the mapping of the gneisses and schists domains without a clear differentiation between the Yaounde and Mbalmayo schists;despite the reflectance anomalies evidenced NW of Akonolinga, hydrothermal alterations in the study area failed to be detected. Besides, aeromagnetics depicted a moderately fractured northern zone (the CAFB) contrasting with a high densely fractured zone (the CC, known as Ntem complex). The Ntem complex displays signatures of a meta-igneous, an intrusive complex, greenstone relics south of Sangmelima and hydrothermal activity. Indeed, CET porphyry analysis tool detected many porphyry centres. In general, the study revealed many lineaments including contacts, fractures faults zones and strike-slips. The major aeromagnetics structures are SW-NE to WSW-ENE and WNW-ESE to NW-SE while those from Landsat-8 are NE-SW, WNW-ESE, NW-SE, WSW-ENE and NW-ESE to NNW-SSE. Together, these structures depict trans-compressions or trans-tensions corresponding to a broad NE-SW strike-slips channel that affect both the CAFB and the Ntem Complex, and they control the intrusions thus confirming a pervasive hydrothermal activity within the Ntem Complex. The proximity or coincidence of these porphyry centres with some mapped Iron-Gold affiliated mineral indices and porphyry granites indicate the possible occurrence of many hydrothermal ore deposits. These results show the high probability for the Ntem complex to host porphyry deposits so they may serve to boost mineral exploration in the Yaounde-Sangmelima region and in the entire southern Cameroon as well.

Research achievements of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau based on 60 years of aeromagnetic surveys

The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau(also referred to as the Plateau)has long received much attention from the community of geoscience due to its unique geographical location and rich mineral resources.This paper reviews the aeromagnetic surveys in the Plateau in the past 60 years and summarizes relevant research achievements,which mainly include the followings.(1)The boundaries between the Plateau and its surrounding regions have been clarified.In detail,its western boundary is restricted by West Kunlun-Altyn Tagh arc-shaped magnetic anomaly zone forming due to the arc-shaped connection of the Altyn Tagh and Kangxiwa faults and its eastern boundary consists of the boundaries among different magnetic fields along the Longnan(Wudu)-Kangding Fault.Meanwhile,the fault on the northern margin of the Northern Qilian Mountains serves as its northern boundary.(2)The Plateau is mainly composed of four orogens that were stitched together,namely East Kunlun-Qilian,Hoh-Xil-Songpan,Chamdo-Southwestern Sanjiang(Nujiang,Lancang,and Jinsha rivers in southeastern China),and Gangdese-Himalaya orogens.(3)The basement of the Plateau is dominated by weakly magnetic Proterozoic metamorphic rocks and lacks strongly magnetic Archean crystalline basement of stable continents such as the Tarim and Sichuan blocks.Therefore,it exhibits the characteristics of unstable orogenic basement.(4)The Yarlung-Zangbo suture zone forming due to continent-continent collisions since the Cenozoic shows double aeromagnetic anomaly zones.Therefore,it can be inferred that the Yarlung-Zangbo suture zone formed from the Indian Plate subducting towards and colliding with the Eurasian Plate twice.(5)A huge negative aeromagnetic anomaly in nearly SN trending has been discovered in the middle part of the Plateau,indicating a giant deep thermal-tectonic zone.(6)A dual-layer magnetic structure has been revealed in the Plateau.It consists of shallow magnetic anomaly zones in nearly EW and NW trending and deep magnetic anomaly zones in nearly SN trending.They overlap vertically and cross horizontally,showing the flyover-type geological structure of the Plateau.(7)A group of NW-trending faults occur in eastern Tibet,which is intersected rather than connected by the nearly EW trending that develop in middle-west Tibet.(8)As for the central uplift zone that occurs through the Qiangtang Basin,its metamorphic basement tends to gradually descend from west to east,showing the form of steps.The Qiangtang Basin is divided into the northern and southern part by the central uplift zone in it.The basement in the Qiangtang Basin is deep in the north and west and shallow in the south and west.The basement in the northern Qiangtang Basin is deep and relatively stable and thus is more favorable for the generation and preservation of oil and gas.Up to now,19 favorable tectonic regions of oil and gas have been determined in the Qiangtang Basin.(9)A total of 21 prospecting areas of mineral resources have been delineated and thousands of ore-bearing(or mineralization)anomalies have been discovered.Additionally,the formation and uplift mechanism of the Plateau are briefly discussed in this paper.

Interpretation of Aeromagnetic Anomalies of the Sulu Ultrahigh-Pressure(UHP) Metamorphic Belt,Eastern China

The Sulu ultra-high pressure(UHP)metamorphic belt in Eastern China is well known as the eastern extension of the Qingling-Dabie orogenic belt formed by subduction and collision between the Sino-Korean and Yangtze cratons.The main hole of the Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling(CCSD)project is located at the southern segment of the Sulu UHP metamorphic belt(34°25′N/118°40′E),about 17 km southwest of Donghai County.Integrated geophysical investigations using gravity,magnetic,deep

Downward continuation of aeromagnetic data to the marine surface

The existing methods of downward continuation of potential field cannot be used to continue the aeromagnetic data to the marine surface because of the limited continuation distance. An iteration method for the downward continuation of potential field with a much larger continuation distance has been developed, which can continue the aeromagnetic data to the marine surface and get the marine - magnetic chart with the same scale as the aeromagnetic data. This downward continuation method will greatly raise the ef- ficiency of marine - magnetic investigation. The principle of the iteration method is presented. The method is demonstrated on synthetic models and real aeromagnetic data. Also, the error brought by continuation is discussed. The efficiency of the iteration method for the downward continuation of potential field is compared with the fast fourier transform （FFT） method, the former is much better than the latter.

An Interpretation of Structures from the Aeromagnetic Field over a Region in the Nigerian Younger Granite Province

An interpretation of high resolution aeromagnetic data was carried out to provide new information about the study area. Located between latitude 10°30'N and 11°00'N and longitude 8°30'E and 9°00'E, the interpretation revealed previously unknown folds and magnetic anomaly with a signature that is similar to those associated with ring complexes in the study area but without the surface manifestation that is associated with the complexes. Qualitatively interpreted as unexposed ring complex, the magnetic anomaly is underlain by cross-over of major lineaments;implying presence of weak zone that probably allowed the volcanic eruption that initiated the emplacement of the source of the anomaly. A depth that ranges from outcrop to 1200 m and from outcrop to 1800 m is respectively suggested for the unexposed ring complex and folds by the Euler deconvolution results.

Geophysical Interpretation of Possible Gold Mineralization Zones in Kyerano, South-Western Ghana Using Aeromagnetic and Radiometric Datasets

Airborne magnetic and radiometric datasets are used to interpret the geology and geological structural patterns which serve as potential gold mineralization zones in the Kyerano area located at south-western boundary of the prospective Sefwi Gold Belt and the Kumasi Basin in south-western Ghana. The geophysical data processing approach adopted concentrated on mapping geological boundaries, geological structures and possible gold mineralization zones is link to hydrothermally altered zones. The application of the enhancement filtering algorithms such as the reduction to the pole and analytic signal to the magnetic data, as well as the ternary radiometric image aided in the mapping of the mafic metavolcanics, basin metasediments and the belt-type granitoid complexes. The first vertical derivative and tilt angle derivative filters helped to delineate fractures, folds, and the contact zones of the formations such as that of the metavolcanics-metasediments that host the main Bibiani Shear Zone. Lineament analysis of the structures using rose diagram, reveals two main tectonic episodes in the area. These are NE-SW and NNW-SSE trending regional structures which account for about 90% of the extracted structures and are associated with the D1 and D2 deformational episodes of the Birimian Formation respectively. These structures are major fracture systems and play a pivotal role in the localization of gold mineralization in the study area.

2.5D Modelling of Aeromagnetic Data and their Mining Implications over the Ngaoundere Area (Adamawa Province, Cameroon)

This study is based on the analysis and interpretation of aeromagnetic data using version 8.4 of the Geosoft Oasis Montaj Software, to map the subsurface or deep geological structures that affected the geological formations of the Ngaoundere area. The use of the standard aeromagnetic methods made it possible to draw up the maps of the residual magnetic field reduced to the equator (RTE), the horizontal gradient (HG), the analytical signal (AS) and that of the Euler solutions (ED) to find the main magnetic facies corresponding to these structures. The geological formations of the studied area thus appear to be intensely fractured by a NE-SW (N45°E) and ENE-WSW (N70°E) main orientation fault system, the depth of which has been estimated by combining the three-analytical methods HG, AS and ED. Advanced magmatic map analysis revealed dikes associated with vertical faults in the studied area. The development of an interpretative geological map taking into account the basic geology, the deep faults, the identified dikes and the mineralization index made it possible to extract a correlation between geological structures and mineralization of the studied area. The 2.5D modelling of two magnetic profiles plotted on the reduced residual map at the equator was performed to approximate the geometry and depth of the dikes sector, which are potential sources of mineralization here.

Integration of Aeromagnetic Data and Landsat Imagery for Structural Analysis Purposes: A Case Study in the Southern Part of Jordan

In this study, different digital format data sources including aeromagnetic and remotely sensed (Landsat ETM+) data were used for structural and tectonic interpretation of the southern part of Jordan. Aeromagnetic data were analyzed using advanced processing techniques (Spectral analysis, deconvolution). The aeromagnetic interpretation was carried out using the analytical signal, horizontal gradient, vertical gradient, Euler deconvolution. The results were improved by the study of enhanced Landsat ETM+ images and correlated with the extracted surface lineaments. Two main lineament sets are observed in the study area. The major lineaments strike NW-SE, NE-SW and the minor E-W. General coincidence of both landsat and aeromagnetic lineaments trends were observed in the study area, which reflecting the real continuous fractures in the depth. The 3D Euler solution of the study area shows that the depth of the magnetic source body ranges from hundreds of meters to more than 3000 m in the middle northern part of the study area. The combined interpretation of aeromagnetic data and Landsat ETM+, added several significant structural elements, that were previously unrecognized from the separate interpretations of aeromagnetic and remotely sensed data.

Determination of Hydrocarbon Potentials Using High Resolution Aeromagnetic Data over Sokoto Basin, Northwestern Nigeria

Aeromagnetic method of exploration is famed for its suitability for locating buried magnetic ore bodies because of their magnetic susceptibility. This method has been used in the early stage of petroleum exploration to determine depth and major structures of crystalline Basement rocks underlying the sedimentary basin. In this study, high resolution aeromagnetic data were used to ascertain the viability for hosting hydrocarbon potentials of the study area which forms part of the Illummeden Basin (also known locally as the Sokoto embayment) of West Africa. This was largely carried out through Spectra analysis to determine sediment thickness. The results of the analysis of the aeromagnetic data show that, deeper magnetic source ranges from 0.41 km to 2.69 km, shallow magnetic sources from 0.17 km to 0.97 km. Areas with shallow sediment thickness could not allow the thermal maturation of the sediments, since temperature increase with depth and a depth of two kilometers and above has a temperature range of 60°C and above. Areas with sediment thickness of 1.5 km and above were delineated and considered as sub-basins and hence potential areas for hydrocarbon exploration.

Crustal Structure and Tectonic Setting over the Panafrican Domain in Loum-Minta Area (Centre-East Cameroon) from Aeromagnetic Analysis

The present work aims to determine the geological structure, to highlight and to determine the characteristics of the fault system responsible for the current structure of the study area through the interpretation of available aeromagnetic data. Total magnetic intensity anomaly (TMI) was critically interpreted using several analysis techniques including Reduction to Equator (RTE), First Vertical Derivative, upward continuation, spectral analysis and 2D3/4 modelling. All results obtained from the interpretation process were combined together to draw an interpretative geological map of the area and allow the general view of the surface and sub-surface structures. The interpretative geological map reveals that the geological formations of the studied area appear to be intensely fractured by an E-W, ENE-WSW and NE-SW main orientation fault system. The lineaments identified in the area study could be linked to the Pan-African orogeny and seem to correspond to deep-seated basement structures, which are referred to the tectonic boundary between Congo Craton and the Pan-African orogeny belt. According to spectral analysis results, the depths of the sources of superficial and deep magnetic anomalies are 2500 m and 12,000 m respectively. The 2D3/4 modelling of one magnetic profile plotted on the reduced residual map at the equator was performed to approximate the geometry and depth of the sources of magnetic anomalies, the model suggests the intrusion of a large body of high susceptibility during the continental collision. The results of this study can be used to better understand deep-seated basement structures and to support decisions with regard to the development of industrial areas, as well as of hydrogeological and/or mining investigations to be undertaken in the study area.

Characteristics and Geological Significance of Aeromagnetic Data in the South of Shanxi

The study area is located in the south margin of the North China Block, the south end of the juncture between the Ordos Block and the Hehuai Block, which is part of Fen-Wei Graben System and located in the south of Shanxi Cenozoic fault basin in the central part of the North China Craton. The study area has complex regional geological structure, intense tectonic movement and frequent magmatic activities. Based on the latest high-precision aeromagnetic data, integrated interpretation was completed, combining with the existing geological and geophysical research results. According to the block features in different zones of the RTP aeromagnetic data, this article thoroughly studied the characteristics of aeromagnetic anomalies and found the relationship between aeromagnetic anomalies and surface geological information, and the fault distribution, magmatic rock distribution and magnetic characteristics in this area are discussed.

Interpretation of Aeromagnetic Data on the Area around Aswan-Berenice Road, Southeast Aswan, Egypt

The area around Aswan-Berenice Road southeast Aswan is geophysically studied to delineate the subsurface structures and to evaluate the tectonic framework of the basement rocks and the overlying sedimentary cover. This area comprises a variety of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks, ranging in age from Precambrian to Quaternary time. The interpretation of the aeromagnetic data around Aswan-Berenice Road was carried out using GM-SYS modeling technique. Many methods were performed to the RTP aeromagnetic map of the study area such as filtering and trend analysis techniques. The tracing upward and downward of the deduced subsurface structures was investigated using trend analysis for the surface geology and filtered magnetic maps. The locating and determination of the approximate depth of the causative bodies were done using Euler deconvolution, Werner deconvolution and 2.5 dimension magnetic modeling techniques. The obtained results indicate that the most significant tectonic trends are N-S and E-W, which they are in accordance with the local trends of River Nile and Kalabsha fault respectively. Less common trends as NW-SE and NE-SW directions are also detected. Also, the depth to the basement rocks ranges from 0 km at the exposed parts to 1.4 km at the covered parts.

Occurrence Regularity of Tobacco Cutworm Moth (Spodoptera Litura) in Low-Altitude Tobacco Cultivation Areas in Lincang

[ Objective ] The paper was to study the occurrence and damage regularity of tobacco cutworm moth （Spodoptera Litura Fabricius） in low-altitude area in Lincang city. [ Method] The adult sex attractant monitoring, field investigation of occurrence and damage, and observation of continuous generation development of natural populations were carried out in natural flue-cured tobacco fields. [ Result] In field growth period of flue-cured tobacco under low-altitude of 1 000 - 1300 m, tobacco cutworm moth occurred for 4 generations, the duration of each generation was about 33 d, and the main injurious generation was the third generation. [ Conclusion] The paper provided reference for comprehensive control of tobacco cutworm moth in the low altitude areas.