Changes

[[file:using-magnetics-in-petroleum-exploration_fig14-1.png|thumb|400px|{{figure number|1}}Profiles of magnetic total intensity anomalies for the same object at different latitudes in the northern hemisphere.<ref name=ch14r7 /> Copyright: Society of Exploration Geophysicists.]]

[[file:using-magnetics-in-petroleum-exploration_fig14-1.png|thumb|400px|{{figure number|1}}Profiles of magnetic total intensity anomalies for the same object at different latitudes in the northern hemisphere.<ref name=ch14r7 /> Copyright: Society of Exploration Geophysicists.]]

The [[Wikipedia:Magnetic field#Earth's magnetic field|earth's magnetic field]] has magnetized certain minerals in the upper part of the crust. [[Magnetite]], an accessory mineral, is by far the most important. This magnetization has two parts: ''remanent magnetism'', which was acquired when the rocks were formed, and ''induced magnetism'', which is proportional to the present earth's field and the magnetic susceptibility of the rocks. The magnetization disappears at temperatures above the [[Wikipedia:Curie temperature|Curie point]], so that only the topmost 15 to 25 miles of rock are involved. Most sedimentary rocks contain little or no magnetite, and the crystalline [[basement]] rocks are by far the most important contributors to local variations in the magnetic field.  

The [[Wikipedia:Magnetic field#Earth's magnetic field|earth's magnetic field]] has magnetized certain minerals in the upper part of the [[crust]]. [[Magnetite]], an accessory mineral, is by far the most important. This magnetization has two parts: ''remanent magnetism'', which was acquired when the rocks were formed, and ''induced magnetism'', which is proportional to the present earth's field and the magnetic susceptibility of the rocks. The magnetization disappears at temperatures above the [[Wikipedia:Curie temperature|Curie point]], so that only the topmost 15 to 25 miles of rock are involved. Most sedimentary rocks contain little or no magnetite, and the crystalline [[basement]] rocks are by far the most important contributors to local variations in the magnetic field.  

Magnetic disturbances caused by rocks are localized effects superimposed on the normal [[Wikipedia:Magnetic field#Earth's magnetic field|magnetic field of the earth]]. The distribution of [[magnetite]] in rocks is the primary cause of the local variations in the magnetic field observed in magnetic surveys. Magnetite is not the only magnetic mineral, but it is the dominant cause of magnetic anomalies.<ref name=ch14r7>Nettleton, L. L., 1962, Elementary Gravity and Magnetics for Geologists and Seismologists: Society of Exploration Geophysicists Monograph Series 1, 121 p.</ref> The magnetite content of [[basement]] rocks can be two orders of magnitude greater than the magnetite content of sedimentary rocks. Consequently, variations in the magnetic field result mainly from basement rocks underlying the sedimentary section.

Magnetic disturbances caused by rocks are localized effects superimposed on the normal [[Wikipedia:Magnetic field#Earth's magnetic field|magnetic field of the earth]]. The distribution of [[magnetite]] in rocks is the primary cause of the local variations in the magnetic field observed in magnetic surveys. Magnetite is not the only magnetic mineral, but it is the dominant cause of magnetic anomalies.<ref name=ch14r7>Nettleton, L. L., 1962, Elementary Gravity and Magnetics for Geologists and Seismologists: Society of Exploration Geophysicists Monograph Series 1, 121 p.</ref> The magnetite content of [[basement]] rocks can be two orders of magnitude greater than the magnetite content of sedimentary rocks. Consequently, variations in the magnetic field result mainly from basement rocks underlying the sedimentary section.

==Gravity vs. magnetic anomalies==

==Gravity vs. magnetic anomalies==

The table below summarizes the differences between gravity and [[magnetics]].

The table below summarizes the differences between [[gravity]] and [[magnetics]].

{| class = "wikitable"

{| class = "wikitable"

|-

|-

| Best use

| Best use

| Defining large-scale geologic features and shape of structures, and determining offset of basement faults

| Defining large-scale geologic features and shape of structures, and determining [[offset]] of basement faults

| Defining basement blocks, locating intrusive bodies; generalized depth to basement

| Defining basement blocks, locating intrusive bodies; generalized depth to basement

|}

|}

[[Category:Geophysical methods]]

[[Category:Geophysical methods]]