Basic principle of magnetic

method
The magnetic force
between 2 poles of
strength m1 and m2
Magnetic field due to a
pole of strength m at
distance r
The magnetic potential v
at distance r from the pole

Origin of the Earths

magnetic field.

Displacement of the force lines of the Earths

magnetic field, equivalent to the ones of the

OVERVIEW OF THE MAGNETIC

METHOD
The magnetic method measures the intensity of natural
magnetic field. This includes contribution from the earth
core and crust as well as secondary magnetic field
induced in magnetic geological bodies, which locally
creates positive and negative anomaly
Magnetic anomalies are the targets for magnetic surveys
for geological purposes
The magnetic susceptibility of rocks is extremely variable,
depending on the type of rock and the environment it is in
and it is an extremely important property of rocks in
magnetic exploration method
Common causes of magnetic anomalies include:
o Dykes
o Faults
o Lava flow

 Magnetic instruments
o Fluxgate magnetometer
o Proton precession
magnetometer
o Torsion balance

Examples of a field measurement with a

magnetometer

MAGNETIC METHOD IN GEOTHERMAL

EXPLORATION
The magnetic method has come into use for identifying and locating
masses of igneous rocks that have relatively high concentrations of
magnetite. Strongly magnetic rocks include basalt and gabbro, while
rocks such as granite, granodiorite and rhyolite have only moderately
magneticmethod
susceptibilities.
high
The magnetic
is useful in mapping near -surface volcanic rocks
that are often of interest in geothermal exploration, but the greatest
potential for the method lies in its ability to detect the depth at which the
temperature is reached
Curie
Ferromagnetic materials exhibit a phenomenon characterised by a loss of
nearly all magnetic susceptibility at a critical temperature called the Curie
temperature. Various ferromagnetic minerals have differing Curie
temperatures, but the Curie temperature of titano-magnetite, the most
common magnetic minera1 in igneous rocks, is in the range of a few
hundred to 570C. The ability to determine the depth to the Curie point
be anfield
ability
to determine
depth
tothe
thesurface
Curie of
point
isotherm
would
For magnetic
observations
madethe
at or
above
the earth,
the as
well.
magnetisation at the top of the magnetic part of the crust is characterised by
relatively short spatial wavelengths, while the magnetic field from the
demagnetisation at the Curie point in depth will be characterised by longer
wavelength and lower amplitude magnetic anomalies. This difference in frequency
characteristics between the magnetic effects from the top and bottom of the
magnetised layer in the crust can be used to separate magnetic effects at the two
depths and to determine the Curie point depth.

Case study
Case study 1:
Magnetic Method Used In Geothermal Exploration in IeSeu Um, Aceh Besar (Indonesia)
Case study 2:
Applications Of Potential Field Methods For Geothermal
Exploration A Case For Olkaria And Menengai
Geothermal Fields, Kenya

Earths magnetic field

magnetic anomalies occur in local field from magnetic rock below surface
(similar to gravity anomalies)

magnetic material
below adds
magnetism
and creates
positive anomaly

magnetic
rocks
include
iron ore,
gabbro,
granite

EARTHS MAGNETIC
FIELD
removal of magnetic material from near surface
negative anomaly (example is normal faulting)

causes