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6.3 Magnetic anomalies of simple shapes

In the following, we will consider only induced magnetization. This is the
magnetization that is produced when the object is placed in the Earth’s magnetic field.
The induced magnetization will be parallel to the geomagnetic field.

Remember that objects can also have a remanent magnetization that is “frozen” into the
material. The remanent magnetization can be in any direction.

In Geophysics 224, we will focus on the relative magnitude and shape of the magnetic
anomalies over different bodies. For simple shapes, it is possible to derive equations for
the expected magnetic anomaly (see Kearey et al., section 7.5). For more complex
objects, 2D and 3D computer modeling programs are used.

6.3.1 Monopole (dike)

Consider a dike with a high magnetic susceptibility. It is buried in a region where the
Earth’s magnetic field (BE) points downward. This will result in an induced
magnetization (Br) of the dike. Since the dike has a large vertical dimension, magnetism
that is observed at the surface will not be sensitive to the deep parts of the dike because
Br decays as 1/r2 (inverse square law). Therefore the dike can be considered to be a
monopole. Draw the expected Br vectors at the surface. The surface magnetic field
(Bobs) can be computed by adding the vectors BE and Br.

What happens to the anomaly if:

• the top of the dike was at a greater depth?
• the magnetic susceptibility of the dike were larger?
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Now assume that the dike had very strong remanent magnetization (much larger than Br)
that had been acquired when the Earth’s magnetic field was reversed:

6.3.2 Dipole (buried cylinder or sphere)

It can be shown that if a sphere or cylinder is placed in a magnetic field, the induced
magnetization is equivalent to having a dipole at the centre of the sphere/cylinder. For a
dipole, the magnetic field decays as 1/r3. What will a 2D magnetic profile look like?
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What happens if the survey was conducted at the equator, where BE is horizontal (I=0°)?

What happens if the survey was conducted in the northern hemisphere where the BE has
an inclination of 45°?
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A map of the surface anomaly associated with a sphere-like object would look like this:

(UBC GIF group)

What would a map over a cylinder look like?

The above examples illustrate an important difference between gravity and magnetic
exploration:

• gravity anomalies depend on only the distribution of density below the surface

• magnetic anomalies depend on the distribution of magnetic susceptibility and the

orientation of the Earth’s magnetic field at the survey location.
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6.3.3 Horizontal slab

For the following, assume that measurements are taken where the Earth’s magnetic field
points downward. For an infinite horizontal slab, a negative pole will develop on the
upper surface and a positive pole will develop on the lower surface. For a thin slab, these
will cancel, and there will be no net magnetic anomaly at the surface.

If there is a slab edge, the poles will not cancel. Consider the following situations.

Semi-infinite slab:

Wide slab: Narrow slab:

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Basement topography:
The basement can be approximated using the combination of an infinite horizontal sheet
and a slab with a finite width.

In the example below, the geomagnetic field has an inclination of 0°.