Three-dimensional interpretation of magnetic and gravity anomalies using the finite-difference similarity transform

Abstract

We present an automatic procedure for interpretation of magnetic or gravity gridded anomalies based on the finite-difference similarity transform (FDST). It is called MaGSoundFDST (magnetic and gravity sounding based on the finite-difference similarity transform) and uses a “focusing” principle in contrast to deriving multiple clusters of many solutions as in the widely used Euler deconvolution method. The source parameters are characterized by isolated solutions, and the interpreter obtains parallel images showing the horizontal position, depth, and structural index [Formula: see text] value. The underlying principle is that the FDST of a potential field anomaly becomes zero or linear at all observation points when the central point of similarity (CPS) of the transform coincides with a source field’s singular point and a correct [Formula: see text] value is used. The procedure involves calculating a 3D function that evaluates the linearity of the FDST for a series of [Formula: see text] values, using a moving window and sounding the subsurface along a verticalline under each window center. We then combine the 3D results for different [Formula: see text] values into a single map whose minima determine the horizontal position of the sources. The [Formula: see text] value and the CPS depth associated with each minimum determine the [Formula: see text] value and depth of the corresponding source. Only one estimate characterizes a simple source, which is a major advantage over other window-based procedures. MaGSoundFDST uses only the measured anomalous field and its upward continuation, thus avoiding the direct use of field derivatives. It is independent of the magnetization-vector direction in the magnetic data case. The procedure accounts for a linear background of local gravity or magnetic anomalies and has been applied effectively to several cases of synthetic and real data. MaGSoundFDST shares common features with the magnetic and gravity sounding based on the differential similarity transform (MaGSoundDST) but is more stable in estimating depth and structural index in the presence of random noise.