Determination and depth estimation of lineaments in Northwest of Iranshahr city using airborne magnetic and electromagnetic data

Airborne magnetic and electromagnetic methods are among the most efficient geophysical techniques for the detection of buried anomalies. There are several methods that can be used to estimate the depths of the buried anomalies. In general, modeling methods can be used not only to estimate the depths of the buried anomalies, but also, to determine physical and other geometric factors of the anomalies such as lateral extension, thickness, dip and so on. In this research, magnetic lineaments have been determined using the airborne magnetic data, acquired in a part of Bazman area with an area of 24 square kilometers located in about 125 kilometers northwest of the city of Iranshahr. By applying filters such as reduction to the pole, first horizontal derivatives, analytical signal, tilt angle and upward continuation filters. For processing and interpretation of the airborne magnetic data, the Oasis Montaj module of Geosoft software package has been used. The processing, display and interpretation of the airborne electromagnetic data have been made Conductivity Depth Imaging (CDI) using EM Flow and Profile Analyst software packages of Encom Company. Furthermore, the depths of the lineaments in this area have been estimated using Euler deconvolution method. Then, the obtained results have been compared with the results of airborne electromagnetic investigations for the frequencies of 900, 7200 and 56000 Hz using horizontal and vertical coplanar coils. Also, the obtained findings from the airborne magnetic and electromagnetic methods have been validated by the geological information of the area. The airborne magnetic and electromagnetic data of the area have been acquired using airborne magnetometer and DIGHEM5 electromagnetic instruments, respectively. The airborne magnetic and electromagnetic surveys over the study area have been made by Geological Survey of Iran (GSI) in 2005. As a result of this study, 22 magnetic lineaments in the area have been identified in which 4 lineaments coincide on the main faults of the area as the validation results indicate. In this regard, the main faults can be observed on the obtained magnetic maps in which different filters have been applied, however, the tilt angle magnetic map indicates the main faults of the area more clearly. This implies the better performance of the tilt angle filter over the other filters in displaying magnetic lineaments. Totally, 22 magnetic lineaments have been determined on the magnetic maps. By the results of this study, we can conclude that the main faults of the area have an approximate trend of northeast-southwest. Some of these faults, which have been determined from the airborne magnetic investigations of the area, cannot be determined from geological studies of the area as they have been overlain by the Quaternary sediments. The different performances of these main faults on the lithological variations and tectonic activities of the area have been clearly evident by the result of this study. The main faults of the area have also played a vital role on the formation of folds and fractures, and occurrence of weak earthquakes. The approximate depths of the lineaments, which have been estimated by applying the Euler deconvolution method on the acquired magnetic data are around 100-200 meters.