3D inversion and modeling of magnetic and gravimetric data characterizing the geophysical anomaly source in Pratinha I in the southeast of Brazil

Abstract

Abstract The Alto do Paranaiba Igneous Province (APIP) is known for its great mineral exploratory interest in phosphates, niobium, titanium, and diamonds, among others. In the years of 2005 and 2006, the Economic Development Company of Minas Gerais (CODEMIG — http://www.comig.com.br/ ) performed an airborne magnetic survey over the portion of this igneous province which belongs to Minas Gerais state, denominated Area 7. This survey revealed at the coordinates (19°45′S, 46°10′W) a tripolar anomaly here referred as Pratinha I. This anomaly does not present evidences of outcropping or topographic remodeling. So, boreholes or studies over its sources make the geophysical methods the best and less expensive solution for studying the body in its subsurface. Besides, two gravimetric ground surveys were performed in 2009 and 2010, confirming the existence of a density contrast over the region of the magnetic anomaly. Therefore, through the magnetometry and gravimetry processing, 3D modeling and inversions, it was possible to estimate the geometry, density and magnetic susceptibility, which when analyzed with the regional geology, enabled the proposition of an igneous intrusion of probable alkaline or kamafugitic composition to justify the gravimetric and magnetic response in the region.