Environmental and Exploration Geophysics I

1. Environmental and Exploration Geophysics I Magnetic Methods (III) tom.h.wilson wilson@geo.wvu.edu Department of Geology and Geography West Virginia University Morgantown, WV

2. Problems 1 through 3 are due Thursday

3. Problem 4 Could a total-field magnetic survey detect the illustrated burial chamber (spherical void) in a region where FE = 55,000nT and i = 70o? To simplify this problem assume that the anomaly arises from a vertically polarized sphere. Assume Z = FA and compute FAT for a point directly over the center of the chamber. See equation 7-35

4. Equation 7-35 provides a nice short cut approach that allows us to avoid some of the complexity in equations 7-36 and 7-37. Remember what M is? M is the magnetic dipole moment. Do you recall the relationship between I and FE?

5. Let’s use this simpler form to answer Question 7.5. Excel

6. We have another dilemma! How good are equations 7-36 and 7-37? Can we sort out the truth? Berger notes that the source of his equations is Telford et al. (Applied Geophysics). Examination of Telford’s text reveals that Berger’s equations are different. Telford’s equations for Z and H are as follows. More Excel...

7. Back to Simple Geometrical Objects In our study of gravity methods, we developed analytical expressions for the gravitational effects of simple geometrical objects like the sphere, horizontal cylinder and flat plate. We can take the same approach with magnetic methods. Simple geometrical objects can often be used to approximate the effects of more complicated objects such as dikes, sills, faulted layers, mine shafts, cavities, caves, etc. Estimates of maximum depth, susceptibility contrast, size of objects with a given susceptibility, etc. can often be estimated quickly and without the aid of a computer.

8. The Vertical Magnetic Anomaly over a Vertically Polarized Sphere

9. Pull the z2 out of the terms in parenthesis to yield Note that when x=0 See Handout

10. is the maximum value of the anomaly. The ratio Z/Zmax describes the relative variations of the magnetic anomaly produced by a vertically polarized sphere as a function of the distance variable x/z, where z is the depth to the center of the polarized sphere. The equation is independent of the object’s size and susceptibility and the magnitude of the earth’s main field FE.

11. Using a z of 1.75 meters .. For Z/Zmax=0.5 X1/2~0.875 implies Z=? For Z/Zmax=0 X0~ 2.25 implies Z=? Z=2X1/2

12. The “x” variable represents surface distance from the anomaly peak in terms of the depth to the center of the sphere (z). Just as we did in our analysis of the variations of g over simple geometrical objects, we let the ratio Z/Zmax equal to the value at which the anomaly falls from its peak to 1/2 its maximum value (i.e. Z/Zmax = 1/2), for example, and determine at what distance x/z, the anomaly falls to 1/2 of its maximum value. The table below lists diagnostic position, the value of x/z at which the anomaly drops to a given diagnostic value and the depth-index multiplier used to convert x to z (I.e. just (x/z)-1). Vertically Polarized Sphere

13. Using a z of 1.75 meters .. For Z/Zmax=0.5 X1/2~0.875 implies Z=? For Z/Zmax=0 X0~ 2.25 implies Z=?

14. Vertically Polarized Vertical Cylinder Vertical Component ZA A vertically oriented dipole with one pole located at a great distance has the magnetic field of an isolated monopole. Refer to equation 7-22 in Burger. As Burger illustrates, ZA is derived by evaluating - If we assume r lies in the xz plane then this derivative becomes

15. as shown on your handout. Recall I=kFE. We can simplify the above equation to

16. From this equation - we see that - and also that -

17. Again, from this normalized or relative form of the equation for the vertical anomaly over the isolated pole that we can solve for relative value of ZA/Zmax in terms of the variable x/z. Thus when we examine an anomaly in real data, we can relate the position, X1/2 (the distance from the peak anomaly to the point where it falls to 1/2 its maximum value), for example, to the depth z, where z Is calculated from X1/2 or other diagnostic positions using the depth-index multipliers. Vertically Polarized Vertical Cylinder

18. As we would expect, these values are identical to those obtained for the variations in g observed over a buried sphere (e.g. monopole!). X1/2 X1/2 ~ 1.34 implies Z = 1.31 x 1.34 ~1.75

19. A. B. Determine which anomaly is associated with a buried sphere (dipole) and which arises from a vertical cylinder (or monopole). Also determine their depths (depth to center or depth to top).

20. A. Which estimates of Z are more consistent? Compute the range or standard deviation.Which model - sphere or vertical cylinder - yields the smaller range or standard deviation?

21. B. Anomaly B: Sphere, Vertical Cylinder; Z = __________?

22. Vertically Polarized Horizontal Cylinder see your handout

23. Vertically Polarized Horizontal Cylinder

24. Coming back to question 7-3, we could have used the simplified form of the horizontal cylinder to rapidly estimate the possibility of detecting the buried wall. In our previous evaluation, we might have ruled out the survey if we had made our decision using predictions based on the effect of the vertically polarized sphere. Horizontal Cylinder sphere

25. Vertically Polarized Faulted Horizontal Slab or Semi Infinite Sheet

26. Xmax=z z = 1.75m t = 0.5m Surface Semi Infinite t z Sheet

27. Vertically Polarized Faulted Horizontal Slab or Semi Infinite sheet

28. The magnetic response of a sheet of dipoles is obtained by carrying out integrations over two sheets: one consisting of the negative poles and the other of the positive poles. where

29. The effect of the bottom sheet will also equal The negative Sign comes from the convention that defines upward pointing vectors (from the positive pole) as negative. So the net result ….. is The process yields an intermediate more useful result.

30. The contribution from the top of the rod is and the contribution from the base of the rod is

31. The total field of this infinitely long intrusive (dike) will be or just Problem 7-6 Determine the vertical field anomaly (ZA) over the intrusive shown in the diagram (see text) at a point directly over the center of the intrusive. The intrusive has a very long strike-length. FE is vertical and equal to 55,000nT. Use equation 7-46 and compute ZA for two cases. Case 1: assume that the base of the intrusive is located at 12km beneath the surface. Case 2: assume the base is located at infinity. Compare the two results.

34. Determining 

35. Comparative estimates of Z are used to determine the geometry of the buried object. However, if you are pretty sure about the geometry of the buried object, you may use only one of the diagnostic positions, for example, the half-max (X1/2) distance associated with an anomaly to quickly estimate object depth. If the object were a sphere or buried vertical cylinder , you would use the appropriate half-max relationship. Burger limits his discussion to half-maximum relationships. Breiner, 1973

36. Determine the depth z to the center of the basalt flow. Also indicate whether you think the flow is faulted (two offset semi-infinite sheets) or just terminates (a semi-infinite sheet). What evidence do you have to support your answer? Refer to illustration on page 433 and associated discussion. Problem 7-8 This problem relies primarily on a qualitative understanding of equation 7-47.

37. Field of the semi-infinite plate X = 0 at the surface point directly over the edge of the plate. The field at a point X is derived from the two angles shown below - 1 and 2 - used in the text. 1 z 2 t

38. The angle subtended by the top of the sheet at x is The angle subtended by the bottom of the sheet at x is

41. z - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - t + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Half-plate (the Slab, semi infinite plate, the half-sheet …)

42. Look carefully at the anomaly profile shown in Problem 7-8 and consider the overall shape of the anomaly and how it may allow you to discriminate between the faulted versus terminated flow interpretations.

43. This Thursday - Final Exam Review .. .. The final will be comprehensive, but the focus will be on material covered since the last exam.

44. Final Exam Friday, December 13th - 3-5pm