Using airborne gravity and magnetic data to recognize crustal domains concealed un-derneath the Parnaíba basin

Abstract

This paper presents a new geophysical study to map the crustal domains beneath the Paleozoic Parnaiba basin (NE Brazil), based on airborne gravity and magnetic data. Several aeromagnetic surveys and gravity data derived from satellite altimeters were processed and merged with the Aerogeophysical Project Parnaiba Basin in order to cover an area beyond the basin boundaries. The resulting datasets are here used as a tool in the recognition and interpretation of geological structures in a large basement area occupied mainly by several Precambrian crustal blocks, amalgamated during overall collisional tectonics and later on affected by an aborted rifting process, which culminated with the Parnaiba basin formation. The hidden crustal domains have been identified based on their gravity and magnetic signatures.