Characterization of the potiguar rift structure based on euler deconvolution

Abstract

The Euler deconvolution is a semi-automatic interpretation method of potential field data that can provide accurate estimates of horizontal position and depth of causative sources. In this work we show the application of 3D Euler Deconvolution in gravity and magnetic maps to characterize the rift structures of the Potiguar Basin (Rio Grande do Norte and Ceará States, Brazil) using the structural index as a main parameter, which represents an indicator of the geometric form of the anomalous sources. The best results were obtained with a structural index equal to zero (for residual gravity anomalies) and 0.5 (for magnetic anomalies reduced to the pole), a spatial window size of 10 km, which is used to determine the area that should be used in the Euler Deconvolution calculation, and maximum tolerance of error ranging from 0 to 7%. This parameter determines which solutions are acceptable. The clouds of Euler solutions allowed us to characterize the main faulted limits of the Potiguar rift, as well as its depth, dip and structural relations with the Precambrian basement.