Potential fields

Information provided

The following table indicates the information provided by the three kinds of potential fields.

Field	Information Provided
Gravity	Basin shape and depth Constraints on diapiric origin of modeling structural geometry and depth structures
Magnetic	Depth to basement Basement fault trends and fault block boundaries
Magnetotelluric	Thick-skinned vs. thin-skinned deformation Amount of section below regional decollement

How to get it

Various scale regional gravity and magnetic surveys can be obtained from the following sources:

• Existing surveys (both ground and airborne acquired) from contractors
• Contractor-acquired data along seismic lines during seismic surveys
• Purchased surveys from government sources in the U.S. and overseas

Where to use it

Such data are extremely useful in extensional and rift terranes and as a guide in planning subsequent seismic surveys.

Examples of use

• Nettleton, L., L., 1971, Elementary gravity and magnetics for geologists and seismologists: Society of Exploration Geophysicists Monograph Series 1, 121 p.
• Billings, A., J., Thomas, J., H., 1990, The use and limitations of non-seismic geophysics in the Papuan thrust belt, in Carman, G., J., Carman, Z., eds., Petroleum Exploration in Papua New Guinea: Proceedings of the First Papua New Guinea Petroleum Convention, Port Moresby, p. 51–62.
• Christopherson, K., R., 1990, Applications of magnetotellurics to petroleum exploration in Papua New Guinea, in Carman, G., J., Carman, Z., eds., Petroleum exploration in Papua New Guinea: Proceedings of the First Papua New Guinea Petroleum Convention, Port Moresby, p. 63–71.

See also

• Scoping techniques and tools
• Plate tectonic studies
• Remote sensing
• Regional maps and cross sections
• Structural geology fieldwork
• Natural analogs

External links

find literature about Potential fields

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