Relating crustal magnetization and satellite-altitude magnetic anomalies in the Ungava peninsula, northern Quebec, Canada

Abstract

A prominent satellite-altitude magnetic anomaly (>6 nT) located over the Ungava peninsula, northern Quebec, is coincident with a region of intense aeromagnetic anomalies and high susceptibilities of exposed rocks. Inversion of a combined POGO–Magsat anomaly data set shows that the susceptibility levels required to satisfy the satellite-altitude anomaly range from 0.03 to 0.04 SI (assuming a 40-km-thick crust). These values are well within the range of measured surface susceptibilities in the Minto region and the anomaly can be explained if the measured values are representative of the average upper crustal magnetization. Therefore, the Ungava peninsula is one of the few areas on Earth where a direct relation between surface rock properties and satellite magnetic anomalies can be made.