Analytic Signal and Euler Depth Interpretation of Magnetic Anomalies: Applicability to the Beatrice Greenstone Belt

Abstract

We apply the Analytic Signal and Euler depth filtering techniques on magnetic data to identify a magnetic causative body location-depth relationship, two parameters of importance in both geophysical exploration and ore body modelling. We identify a dipping magnetic contact from the interpreted Euler depth anomalies, showing a good agreement with both the Total Field Magnetic (TFM) map and the Analytic Signal (AS) map. The Euler depth anomalies correlate well with the locations and edges of shallow causative bodies. The deeper Euler interpreted sources explain the magnetic high on the regional aeromagnetic map which is coincident with neither geological contacts nor the more recent dolerite intrusions. This suggests that the magnetic highs on the regional aeromagnetic map are due to deep seated sources, otherwise invisible on the regional geological map. The results show the usefulness and relevancy of these two filters not only in interpreting routine TFM data from the study area, but up to a regional scale. While the aeromagnetic data shows that the magnetisation pattern is predominantly divorced from the geological map, the ground magnetic data interpretation points to a more recent magnetisation of the belt, enabling conclusions to be drawn about the geological history and structural geology otherwise not evident on the geological map.