Comparison of MAGSAT and low-level aeromagnetic data over the Canadian Shield: implications for GRM

Abstract

Band-limited magnetic anomalies over the Canadian Shield, for wavelengths of ~500–2200 km, derived from the magnetometer satellite (MAGSAT) data correlate peak for peak with the corresponding anomalies derived from the aeromagnetic data. This suggests that the anomalies detected by MAGSAT are physically meaningful. A new potential field satellite, Geopotential Research Mission (GRM), has been proposed to fly at about 160 km altitude. The magnetic anomaly map that can be derived from the GRM data is expected to have a resolution about an order of magnitude higher than the one derived from MAGSAT data. A magnetic anomaly map of the Canadian Shield, which is expected to derive from the GRM data, is shown based on the aeromagnetic data. The map delineates many major geological features quite clearly and illustrates the importance of the GRM mission for global geological mapping.