ASSIGNMENT COVER SHEET

Student Name:

Sutthisrisaarng Pholpark
__________________________________________

Student ID:

17682974
__________________________________________

Unit Name:

Geophysical Data Processing 612 (Minerals)

__________________________________________

Lecturers Name:

Paul W.
__________________________________________

Due Date:

14/11/2014
__________________________________________

Date Submitted:

12/11/2014
__________________________________________

DECLARATION
I have read and understood Curtins policy on plagiarism, and, except where indicated, this
assignment is my own work and has not been submitted for assessment in another unit or
course. I have given appropriate references where ideas have been taken from the published or
unpublished work of others, and clearly acknowledge where blocks of text have been taken from
other sources.
I have retained a copy of the assignment for my own records.

Sutthisrisaarng Pholpark

________________________________________
[Signature of student]

For Lecturers Use Only:

Overall Mark: ________ out of a total of _________

Percentage:

Lecturers Comments:

Lecturers Name:

Date Returned:

DEPARTMENT OF EXPLORATION GEOPHYSICS

GEOPHYSICS 312 Radiometrics, digital terrain data, and magnetics
WORKSHOPS 1 and 2 - 5 and 12 August 2013
PROCESSING AND IMAGING DATA IN OASIS MONTAJ
TASKS
You are provided with digital terrain, airborne radiometric and aeromagnetic data from the Wongan Hills
area, WA. Geological map and notes for Moora are also provided.
Data set
1vd,
dtm,
mag,
pot,
tho,
ura,
sh5010.ecw

1 vd.ers
dtm.ers
mag.ers
pot.ers
tho.ers
ura.ers
sh5010.ers

: First vertical derivative grid

: Digital terrain model grid
: Magnetics grid
: Potassium radiometric grid
: Thorium radiometric grids
: Uranium radiometric grids
: Geological map

1. Maps display
This section is aimed to display the given data in Oasis montaj. All grids are displayed in color shaded
option with 45 degrees inclination/45 degrees declination. In addition, all grids from radiometric
survey is combined and displayed in ternary image.
First vertical derivative grid(nT/m)
Digital terrain model grid(m)
Display the rate of change of magnetics respect to
Display bare ground elevation without effects of
z-axis. Can be used for detecting faults or rocks in
buildings or environments.
subsurface.

Magnetics grid(nT)

Potassium radiometric grid(count/sec)

Thorium radiometric grids(count/sec)

Uranium radiometric grids(count/sec)

Radiometric ternary display using the three radiometric grids.

The method to display ternary image is
Ternary color legend bar is assigned as the picture
shown below.
below.

Radiometric survey data compose of 3 data sets

from measurement of counting rate of potassium,
uranium and thorium individually. The unit of
measurement is counts per second. These datasets
can be combined together in order to create a
radiometrics ternary image. This image is related to
the surface geochemistry and mineralogy of
bedrock and regolith materials.

Radiometric ternary image

2. Faults, and rock units mapping

2.1 faults mapping
Step 1

Fault mapping method in

Oasis montaj
1. Use Map Tools to draw a
direct line. The program will
save 2 coordinate points of
the line and save in XYZ
format.

Step 2

Step 3

2. Load saved coordinate

points in to database.

3. Use coordinate points to

draw a line path in the map.

First vertical derivative map can be used to locating faults as shown below. According to the given
geological maps the first estimated fault line is about the approximation fault and the second estimate
fault line is about the inferred fault.

2.2 Rocks mapping

Rock mapping method in Oasis montaj
Step 1

Draw a polygon line over magnetics map. The

program will automatically generate PLY file.

Step 2

Load save PLY file in to the map, in order to

place your drawing in to your map.

Magnetics map can be used to locating rock type in subsurface. Due to different rock types
have different magnetizations, when we do a magnetic survey over a particular area, magnetic
response of each rock type from the survey will reflect rocks material component. The pictures
below show relationships between magnetic response and rock types.

Rock 1: Its magnetics response is related to Czl in geological map which are laterite and associated sand.
Rock 2: Its magnetics response is related to Czr in geological map which is Silcrete.
What correlations do you observe between the different datasets and with the published geology?
First vertical derivative of magnetics published geology: The area of discontinuity of the first vertical
derivative is possible to have underlying faults. (also see 2.1)
Magnetics published geology: Magnetics response from rocks is related to rock types. In formation
phase of rocks, they acquire magnetization during process of formation e.g. cooling period, deposit
period. This make each rock type has a different magnetization which directly concerned with magnetic
response. So we may discriminate rock type from magnetics map. (also see 2.2)
Radiometrics ternary image published geology: Most of the gamma-ray responses relate to the
uppermost subsurface materials. We can use U/Th ratio to discriminate rock types. Hence, we can use
radiometrics ternary images to roughly create geological map. The example is shown below.

1. Black area: Low detection of gamma-ray. This area may compose of sediments, saturated soil or water
bodies because gamma-ray is unable to penetrate through these materials
2. Red dominant area (potassium rich): Related to felsic volcanic and igneous rocks.
3. Green-blue dominant area (uranium-thorium rich): Related to ferruginous lags and weathered
materials.
4. White area (P/U/Th rich): Related to felsic volcanic and igneous rocks

Reference:
Carter, J. D., and Lipple, S. L., 1982, Geology of the Moora 1:250000 sheet: Geological Survey of Western
Australia, Department of Mines and Energy.

DEPARTMENT OF EXPLORATION GEOPHYSICS

GEOPHYSICS 312 Radiometrics, dtm and magnetics
WORKSHOP 3 - August 20 and 27, 2014
PROCESSING AND IMAGING DATA IN ER MAPPER
TASKS
You are provided with digital terrain, airborne radiometric and aeromagnetic data from the Wongan Hills
area, WA. Geological map for the Moora 1:250 000 map sheet is also provided.
Given data sets
dtm,
dtm.ers
mag,
mag.ers
pot,
pot.ers
tho,
tho.ers
ura,
ura.ers
sh5010.ecw sh5010.ers

: Digital terrain model grid

: Magnetics grid
: Potassium radiometric grid
: Thorium radiometric grids
: Uranium radiometric grids
: Geological map of Moora 1:250 000 map sheet

Tasks are including:

- Display each data set effectively.
- Learn about filtering, colour look up tables, adding contours, legends, data stretches etc.
1. Start up ER mapper
1.1 Start ER mapper by loading geophysics tools into toolsbar.

1.2 Create new algorithm and open Edit algorithm function

1.3 Open dataset that you want for image processing

1.4 Select appropriate colour mode and colour table for your data. Colour table will be used in stretching
process e.g. look up colour table to transform input image.

2. Processing the image

The goal of image processing for geophysics application is to enhance important geographic features in order
to extract quantitative information and solve geological problems.
2.1 filtering

This function allow users to load filter algorithm for imaging processing. The example below is DEM
display after use aspect.ker filter. This filter help to enhance slope of DEM. Others filter e.g. upward
continuation, low pass filter can be selected depending on users objective.

2.2 Edit transform limit or data stretching

Transform limit can be used to adjust image contrast. There are several parameters can be adjusted.
Users can adjust transform limit to control colour range so that only desired colours is enhanced. Users can
select transform method e.g. linear stretch, histogram equalize to enhance desired features. The transform
will map image values to colour table. For example, if an image has a range between 206 - 250, this number
will be mapping to value 0 - 255 for pseudo colour table so that new colours from colour table are assigned to
an image. The pictures below show results from different transform setting.

If we change colour table in #2 to rainbow, lookup colour table in transform window will be changed to
rainbow as shown below.

2.3 Real time sunshade

Users can use Realtime Sunshaded function to enhance features of an image. Users can adjust this
function in pseudo layer alone or add another layer for sun shaded. The later method significantly enhance
elevation features in the digital terrain model as shown below.

2.4 Adding contour

Users can display contour in an image by go to algorithm and de the steps as shown below.

Then contour wizard will show up. There are several steps as shown below to complete creating your
contour.

The pictures below display contour in different types of layer setting.

3. Annotation
Before adding any annotations, you need to set up your page.

By using annotation tools, Users can display your image professionally. Users can use page set up
function to adjust a size of your map. You can also add important map featues e.g. map detail box, scale bar,
colour legend bar, direction annotation and grid on your map.

3.1 Adding title box

You can use Map rectangle to add different annotation features on your map. Firstly, you may add
title box to your map to start.

3.2 Adding grid

You can use Map rectangle to add grid in to your map. The procedure is illustrated below. Note that
you should not manually adjust your grid because the scale may not fit your actual map, you should select Fit
gird instead. ER mapper will automatically fit your grid to your map with the correct scale.

3.3 Adding map scale

3.4 Adding colour legend bar

Here you can set up font size, font colour, name, number of division etc. of colour legend bar.

3.5 Adding direction annotation

After you finish adding important annotations, you will have a map as shown below.

4. Display image in 3D

5. Display ternary image

RGB funtion can be used to display radiometrics ternary image. Assigned colours are shown below.

6. Display the given data sets

Digital terrain model
Contour, Sun-illumination, 3D

Magnetics
Sun-illumination, 3D

Radiometrics ternary image

DEPARTMENT OF EXPLORATION GEOPHYSICS

GEOPHYSICS 312 / 612 4 different gridding methods
MINERALS WORKSHOP 4 September 10 and 17, 2014
PROCESSING DATA IN OASIS MONTAJ
TASKS
Dataset: Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission data (SRTM) for part of the Perth area. (Scarborough to Gosnells)
File type: xyz file with 90 x 90 m spacing
File name: srtm scarb to gosnells .xyz ( 2.8 Mb)
1. Import the xyz file into a new database.

2. Create grids using four different methods minimum curvature, kriging, spline gridding and tins.
Note that the grid cell size should be around 1/4 to 1/3 of the line space in order to increase the
resolution of the grid. So that the gird cell size 30 is used in this experiment. All gridding methods use Z
axis so that we can see the elevation trend from SRTM data.
Minimum curvature

Kriging

Spline Gridding

TIN Gridding

The results of 4 gridding methods are shown below.

3. Compare the grids and also compare against posted elevation values from the database.
In order to compare the grids from different gridding methods, the area of comparing need to
be specified to get a clear result. The area that appropriate for grid comparisons in this SRTM data is
the contact between Kings Park and Swan River because we can observe the data
overshoot/undershoot from elevation transitions of that area. The picture below shows satellite map
of the mentioned area which has been taken from Google map. We use Window a Grid to capture
only the area that we want.

Specified grid window

The pictures below show the results from different gridding methods.

Grid display

Grid display with color-shaded and contour

Comment: From the displays we can clearly see that the colors of each gridding method assigned in sea-level
are different.

You can use posting function in map tools to post the real values of the data taken from database on your grid
in order to compare between gird values and the real values from each different gridding method.

Minimum curvature
By comparing posting values and grid values
(lookup in clolor legend bar), some assigned colors
e.g. as in the circles do not match the posting
values, some of them have higher values and some
have higher values. In addition, there are
discontinuities in color display, even though the
real values have quite smooth variations. In
summarize, for this dataset, minimum curvature
does not adapt its color variation to the real value
well.

Kriging
Most of the colors showing in Krigging method
match the posting value very well. In addition its
color variation is coherence with the real data.

Spline
Spline gridding method matchs the variations of
data between parallel lines very well (N-S),
however, it does not take variation of data in
orthogonal lines (E-W) into account. So that the
spline method is unable fully represent the data in
2 line directions.

TIN
TIN method is good for weighing data when there
are several values colleted at the same location. In
TIN gridding caluation, it use Tin mesh and Tin
nodes in order to weight data. However, this data
is collected only single value at a particular
location with equally spaced lines. So when
weighting data, all of the points are equally
weighted by only taking adjacent values in
calculated. So that we can observe some strong
discontinuities of colors between data points e.g.
as shown shown in the circles.

4. Which methods work best with this data and why?

Do the grids overshoot / undershoot the data particularly in water areas like the Swan River?
In order to observe grid overshoot/undershoot, we can use GX function to run gridprof.gx then draw
a line across the grid to see profiles from different gridding methods along that line. So that we can see
the variations of values of each grid method.

The picture on the left shows the

profiles from each gridding method.
The colors are assigned as below.
Minimum curvature: Pink
Krigging: Red
Spline: Blue
TIN: Green
From an observation, all profiles are
overshooting. However, krigging and
TIN gridding method yield the least
overshoot compared to others.

Both spline and minimum curvature

gridding are overshooting and not
converge to 1. In addition minimum
curvature shows an oscillation in the
profile. On the other hand kriging
and TIN are less over shoot. The only
gridding method that rapidly
converges to 1 (water/sea level) is
krigging.

Judging from comparing posting values to the grid data and the profiles comparing, krigging shows the best
performance in color variation according to the real data, less overshooting and rapidly converge to 1. Hence
krigging is the best gridding method.
5. See gridding notes that are provided in the workshop folder.
6. Add notes on how each gridding method works. See Oasis Montaj help files and tutorials. Aim to write
half to a page on each method.
6.1 Spline or Bi-directional Gridding
- Suitable for the data collected along lines that are roughly parallel, as in the following pictures.

(Oasis motaj manual)

- Suitable for data with high sample density down the lines relative to the line separation.
- Cannot be used with tie lines because the calculation method does not allow to.
- Cannot be used with random data, non-parallel line data and orthogonal line data as shown below.

(Oasis motaj manual)

There are 2 steps in Bi-Directional gridding (Oasis montaj manual).
1. Each line is interpolated along the original survey line to yield data values at the intersection of each
required grid line with the observed value.
2. The intersected points from each line are then interpolated in the across-line direction to produce a value
at each required grid point.

6.2 Minimum Curvature or Random Gridding

- Use when data is relatively smooth between sample points or survey lines.
- Allows extrapolation of the surface beyond the outside boundary of the contact points.
- When data is randomly distributed and when data is sampled along arbitrary lines.
- Use when tie lines are included.
In minimum curvature process step, firstly it estimates grid values at the nodes of a coarse grid normally 8
times of the final grid cell size. The estimation performs based on the inverse distance average of the actual
data within a specified search radius. If there is no data point lying within the radius, the average of all data
points in the grid is used instead. After that iteration process is performed in order to adjust the coarse grid
nodes to fit the nearest actual data points.
After the first step is completed (acceptable fit), the coarse cell size is divided by 2 and then the first step is
repeated (fit grid nodes to the nearest actual data points) until the minimum curvature surface is fit at the
final grid cell size.
The number of iterations is a very important factor in minimum curvature process, since the more number of
iterations, the closer final surface will be to a true minimum curvature surface. However, the number of
iterations is proportional to time.
Minimum Curvature stops iterating when:
It reaches a specified maximum number of iterations, or
A certain percentage of the observed points are within a limiting tolerance of the surface
By default these limits are 100 iterations and 99% of points within 1% of the data range (Oasis montaj
manual).
6.3 Kriging
- Use when data is variable between sample locations
- Use when the data known to be statistical in nature.
- Suitable for poorly sampled data.
Krigging method is based on a statistical local estimation technique that provides the best linear unbiased
estimate of an unknown characteristic being studied (Oasis montaj manual).
Firstly, it calculates a variogram of the data showing the correlation of the data as a function of distance as shown
below.

The equation shows that the greater distance between data points, the higher variation between the points.
There are 2 models in krigging calculation which are ordinary krigging and universal krigging used to estimate
the data values at the nodes of the grid. The main different between the introduced models is that a method
to define the variance of the data, however, both models based on a variogram.
The process of krigging is complicate, the size of the data set may limit the use of krigging since it is very time
consuming in a large dataset calculation.
In addition, KRIGRID in Oasis motaj is able to produce an error grid which is a by-product of kriging statistics.
This grid shows the degree of confidence at each grid node.

6.4 TIN gridding (TIN = Triangular Irregular Network)

- Use when data is variable between sample locations.
- Use when data is highly irregular in distribution.
The advantage of TIN gridding over others method is that it has ability to sum and average multiple values
collected in the same location.
Several words are introduced in TIN gridding; TIN Nodes, the TIN Mesh (or Delaunay triangulation), the
Convex Hull, the Voronoi cells.
TIN nodes: X,Y locations of the data.
Voronoi cells: Polygonal zones surrounding each node (Figure1). Any points inside the cell are closest to their
own node than other nodes.
TIN Mesh (or Delaunay triangulation): The Delaunay triangulation is the set of triangles created from
connections between nodes in the TIN, determined by the TIN algorithm (Figure 2) (Oasis montaj manual).
The criteria to create these triangles are that they need to be least long and thin generated among possible
irregular distribution points by the principles of maximum-minimum internal angle and density-dependent
size.
The Convex Hull: The Convex Hull is the smallest convex set of nodes that enclose all nodes (Oasis montaj
manual) (Figure 2).
There are three methods in TIN gridding (Oasis montaj manual)
Nearest Neighbour: Use the values of the nodes closest to the given locations.
Linear: Triangles in the TIN are interpolated using a plane defined by the triangle vertices.
Natural Neighbour: Use the Natural Neighbour algorithm described by Sambride et al (1995)

(The pictures are taken from the given gridding note)

Extras: How to download SRTM in any places from Oasis montaj.

This function allow you to down load SRTM data anywhere in the world.

DEPARTMENT OF EXPLORATION GEOPHYSICS

GEOPHYSICS 312 / 612 Model vision
MINERALS WORKSHOP 5 - September 23, 2014
Forward magnetic modelling with Modelvision 12.0
Aim : Forward magnetic modelling with Modelvision 12.0 to create synthetic model and recovering model
parameters using Analytic Signal and Euler Deconvolution in Oasis Montaj
Outline of steps:
1. Start Encom program ModelVision
2. File >new project
3. Project properties untick local grid, set datum to GDA94, Projection to Universal Transverse Mercator,
proj/zone to SUTM50, Mag units SI, T=60000 nT, inc = -60.0, dec =0.0

4. Set up synthetic survey (Utility>synthetic lines) with 101 north south lines, ref pt x=500 000, y = 6 000
000, line length = 20000 m, pt spacing = 20 m, survey width 20000 m, line spacing = 200 m, azimuth = 0
degrees, select create survey

5. Go to view to see plan of survey lines view>view map>stacked profiles

6. Create tabular model: model>body operations>create body>tabular, susceptibility = 0.1 SI units, strike
length = 10000 m

7. Go back to open map (step 5) and click on map to position centre of model on centre of grid of lines.
8. To see body parameters body properties > see or change thickness and extent record these for later
use.

9. To create model grid: model>grid control specify grid dimensions 50 x 50 metres.

10. To see magnetic grid: view>map>grid image (Note that you need to activate your model before viewing
the grid)

11. To see individual cross sections: view > X-section, select line eg 51 (central line)

12. To export model grid: file.export>ermapper ers format, use 8 byte real

13. In oasis montaj create new project and view model grid using display grid etc

14. Run analytic signal grid filter to create analytic signal grid and then create central north south profile and
east west profile using gridprof.gx
Run Analytic Signal

Run Gridprof.gx

Run HGRAD (To detect the edge of the target)

Convolution coefficients are 0.0833, -0.6667, 0, 0.6667, -0.0833.

15. Look at grid profiles in database (show profile etc) to see how well they recover model parameters
location and depth to top etc.
Location accuracy
Direction
N-S
E-W

Real edge position

6005000
5995000
499850
500150

Inflection point of AS
6005840.2
5995563.5
497883.4
502343.1

%error
8.402
5.635
19.666
21.931

Comment on location accuracy: The N-S analytic signal profile has higher accuracy in locating the targets
edge that the E-W profile. However, overall of analytic signal performances in locating the targets edge
are within 20% error.
Depth and width accuracy

EW profile
nT/m
AS maximum point
4.020358
1/2 AS maximum point
2.010179
1/2 AS maximum point LEFT 1.919922
1/2 AS maximum point RIG 1.892624
Width
Half-Width
Depth

NS profile
AS maximum point
1/2 AS maximum point
1/2 AS maximum point LEFT
1/2 AS maximum point RIGHT
Width
Half-Width
Depth

x
500016.3
496913.9
503118.7
6204.79
3102.395
3102.395

m
m
m

nT/m
y
5.211882 500016.3366
2.605941
2.605941 6006809.674
2.605941 5995563.474
11246.19947
5623.099734
5623.099734

m
m
m

Note: The half-maximum points (on the left and the right) of N-S profile come from extrapolation between data
points in order to obtain the exact y values according to the maximum of analytic signal (2.605341).

Profile
N-S Depth
N-S Width
E-W Depth
E-W Width

Calculated
Model
%error
5623.099734
2000
36.231
11246.19947
10000 12.46199
6204.79
2000 42.0479
3102.395
3000 1.02395

Comment on depth (to the top) and target width accuracy: Analytic signal can recover the width of the
target very well with less than 15% errors. However, when using Half-height Half-width (analytic signal) method
to compute the targets depth below the ground, the errors are as high as 36% in N-S profile and 42% in E-W
profile.

16. Run located Euler deconvolution to also recover model parameters.

Located Euler Steps

After complete all the steps, Euler solutions are saved in the database. You can use solutions plot to see
where are the solutions on your magnetic map.

Comment: From the solution plot, we can see that the location of the solution is lying in the targets
body. The error of the computed located Euler solution to locate the target depth is 40%. The error is
close to computed depth from analytic signal E-W profile. Located Euler is unable to map the targets
edge. If the extension of the target is required, then standard Euler should be used instead.

17. Record all steps and results in your electronic lab books. How well have Analytic Signal and Euler
Deconvolution worked in recovering model parameters?
In targets depth recovery, depth calculations from analytic signal show better accuracy than the depth
computed from located Euler. Even though these technic yield error more than 30% in the depth from the
surface to the target, the range of the depths is still lying within the targets body.The accuracies of both
technics are shown in the topic 16 for analytic signal and the topic 17 for located Euler.

DEPARTMENT OF EXPLORATION GEOPHYSICS

GEOPHYSICS 312 OASIS Montaj and Modelvision
WORKSHOP 6 - October 8 and 15 and also Assignment 2, 2014
Interpreting gravity data from Moora
You are provided with gravity data from Moora, WA
Objective
Learn gravity data processing: import data, gridding, horizontal gradient filter, regional-residual separation,
and map display.
Locating the fault and calculating fault-throw from a given gravity data.
Learn to use model vision to model fault and bedrock topography from gravity data.
Learn how to interpret gravity data with related geology information.
TASKS
1.
Import file Moora.csv into Oasis montaj.

After imported Moora.csv into the created database, the coordinate of the file need to be set before processing in
further steps.

2.

Produce maps showing station locations and grid Bouguer Anomaly and height above Australian Height
datum ( AHD )

2.1 Station locations

Station locations plot shows location coordinates where the data has been collected.

After step 3, the station locations are automatically in the created map. Station spacing can be obtained
from the distance between the centers of adjacent stations. Station spacing = 50 m and the appropriate
grid cell size (for gridding) is of the station spacing = 50 m.

Base map is created with scale 1:40000 m. The station locations plot is showed below.

Figure 1 Station locations plot

2.2 Bouguer Anomaly

Bouguer anomaly is the final value of corrected gravity data, however, the effect of regional gravity (due to
the fault) is still present. The unit of bouguer anomaly is mGal.
Bouguer anomaly = measured gravity data drift correction + free-air correction Bouguer correction +
terrain correction lattitude correction

The picture below shows colour-shadded grid with 45 incl/45 decl in the base map scale 1:40000 m with contour and
colour legend bar.

Figure 2 Bouguer anomaly colour-shadded grid with 45 incl/45 decl in the base map scale 1:40000 m with contour and colour legend bar

Note: The contours are significantly dense in the middle of the grid which indicates the high bouguer anomaly
gradient in the middle area. This attributes to the underlying fault (Darling fault).
2.3 Australian Height datum ( AHD )
AHD displays the topography of Moora area. In addition, it can be used in a terrain correction process in
order to remove terrain effects in gravity data which mask the target (not included in this lab).
The picture below shows colour-shadded grid with 45 incl/45 decl in the base map scale 1:40000 m with
contour and colour legend bar. The process steps are similar to bouguer anomaly grid display in topic 2.3. The
unit displays here is in metre.

Figure 3 Australian Height datum (AHD ) colour-shadded grid with 45 incl/45 decl in the base map scale 1:40000 m with contour and colour
legend bar

3.

You will see that the data is very dominated by an east west gradient due to the presence of the fault.
Can you locate the position of the Darling Fault ?
There are 2 methods to locate the fault which are (1) by using gridprof to create bouguer anomaly profile
across the fault and then use horizontal gradient (database filter) to locate the inflection point of the bouguer
anomaly profile, the center of the fault is at the inflection point, (2) by using horizontal gradient filter for
bouguer anomaly grid, the center of the fault is at maximum point of horizontal gradient.
We use an inflection point of the bouguer anomaly
and the maximum point of HGRAD to locate the fault
because an abruptly change of density contrast and
mass caused an abruptly in gravity data. Hence the
maximum rate of variation is the fault location.

3.1 Gridprof method

3.1.1 Create new database for gridprof. The new line paths and profiles will be stored in this
database.

Then draw a line across bouguer anomaly grid and save to the new database.
3.1.2 Go to the created database. Use database filter to calculate horizontal gradient of the selected
profile. The peak of HGRAD represents where the bouguer anomaly has the maximum slope
which indicates center of the fault.

3.1.3 Use gridprof.gx to draw 2 more line paths (3 lines altogether). Then you can use map tools to
draw (1) line path, (2) bouguer anomaly profile, (3) HGRAD profile. We can locate the central of
the fault location by use maxima point of HGRAD as show in the picture below (figure 4). As
seen in figure 4, the estimate location of the faults is mismatch with the fault location in the
geology map.

Figure 4 Fault location estimation from gridprof method

3.2 Horizontal gradient filter method

3.2.1 Compute HGRAD grid by HGRAD filter.

The map below shows the result from HGRAD filter. The unit of the map is mGal/m. The high values are
located around the central of the map which attributes to the effect of the fault.

Figure 5 HGRAD of bouguer anomaly.

3.2.2 Create a new database and use gridprof to draw line paths across HGRAD grid. Plot the
maximum points of (1) line path, (2) bouguer anomaly profile, (3) HGRAD profile on the map.
The maximum point of each HGRAD profile is the central of the fault.

The result is similar to gridprof method.

Figure 6 Fault location estimation from HGRAD filter method

Can you estimate throw on the Fault?

() = 2
49.3 = (6 6.61 1011 ) () 1011
49.3 = 39.66
49.3 = 39.66 0.4
= 3.10

Figure 7 Fault estimation

Modelvision: fault modelling steps

1. Save the database which contains the selected profiles.
2. Go to ModelVision and created a new project.

To check the calculated throw of the fault, we

can use gridprof.gx to crate profiles across
bouguer anomaly and import them to Model
Vision to see the correlation between the
model and the estimated value.
The 3 selected profiles are shown on the left
hand side.
For modelling the fault, background density is
2.67 g/cc and the model density is 2.3 g/cc.

3. Fill in model settings.

4. Edit regional and active all lines.

5. Use X-section to view the selected line.

From the modeling, the model profile does not well match with the anomaly profile. However, we can observe that
the effect of the fault (the purple body) yields the profile similar to the fault anomaly e.g. shape and gradient. In
addition, the created fault model is similar to the geological fault model in figure 8. In summarize, we can confirm
that the effect of east-west gradient is due to the present of the fault in that area and the fault dip down direction is
as in figure 7.

Figure 8 Fault model

(after http://geophysics.geoscienceworld.org)

4.

What we are interested in is the bedrock topography under the town of Moora.
How do we minimize the effect of the Darling Fault and look in detail at bedrock topography? Use regional /
residual separation in Oasis Montaj.
The effect of the fault in bouguer anomaly gravity masks the effect of underlying bedrock, hence, in order to
observe bedrock topography in the data, the regional effect caused by the bedrock need to be removed. In
Oasis montaj, we can use trend filter to remove the effect of regional gravity. The output of the trend filter is
residual.
Note: Bouguer anomaly = regional + residual, what we want to observe is residual.

The result of trend filter is showed in figure 8.

Figure 9 (left) Bouguer anomaly and (right) Residual anomaly after trend filter

Figure 10 Residual grid with 45 incl/45 decl in the base map scale 1:40000 m with contour and colour legend bar

Note: We can use grid math to compute regional grid, to see how it affects the bouguer anomaly. From the regional
grid, we can clearly see that the effect of the fault caused a gravity gradient from the east towards the west
direction.

5.

Use ModelVision to model bedrock topography using grid profiles from Oasis Montaj (use gridprof.gx ).
Note: The instruction of using gridprof is shown in the topic 3.1
The background density of the area is 2.67, for the model is 2.27.

*** Note: The model in line 3 is very distinctive from others. This may attributes to the location of the profile is far
from the survey station, hence its value came from the extrapolation in minimum curvature process instead of
geological influence. So that the model from line 3 should not take in to account of the interpretation. ***

Since line3 is removed, it is reselected as show in the grid below. The new model is more geological possible the
previous model.

The new 3D perspective is created.

6.

Write up interpretation and include models in your electronic workbooks.

6.1 The fault and its throw
The location of fault is approximately in the middle of the map as show below.

The fault dipped down in the west (as in the picture below) and its vertical throw is approximately 3.1 km.

6.2 Bedrock topography

From the residual anomaly profiles and models as shown below, there is a plausible presence of channel
filled with low density sediments below the survey area surrounded by granite bed rock.

DEPARTMENT OF EXPLORATION GEOPHYSICS

GEOPHYSICS 312 OASIS Montaj
WORKSHOPS 7 and 8 - October 22 and 29, 2014
Falcon gravity gradiometry data from Vredefort Dome, South Africa
You are provided with Falcon airborne gravity gradiometry data from Vredefort Dome, South Africa. This is the
site of the worlds largest known meteorite impact crater.
Google Vredefort dome for more information.
This is a brand new pair of workshops and will evolve during the workshops!
TASKS
1.
Copy into your working directories the FALCON vredefort database.
2.

Open the database in OASIS Montaj.

3.

Produce map showing flight lines. What are line direction and spacing? Projection details are WGS84
and UTM zone 35S.

Figure 1 Flight lines

Line spacing is 1000 m. Hence the appropriate grid cell size is of line spacing = 250 m

Figure 2 Line spacing

4.

Grid the Bouguer gravity (Gd), Gravity vertical gradient (Gdd) and DEM data and produce maps with
base maps for all 3 grids. The channels you will need are: easting, northing, DEM,
gD_FOURIER_2p67_1000 , GDD_FOURIER_2p67_1000

Figure 3 (left) Bouguer gravity (Gd) and (right) Gravity vertical derivative (Gdd) both display with color-shaded grid display 45incl/45decli

Figure 3 (left) shows the grid of measured gravity

data while the one on the left shows gravity vertical
gradient grid taken from gravity gradiometry
measurement. We can clearly see the edge of
anomalies extend in gravity vertical gradient grid.
Note that the unit of gravity gradiometer
measurement is in Eotvos.
Figure 4, Digital Elevation Model (DEM) shows the
ground elevation of the area which indicates
vredefort topography.

Figure 4 Digital Elevation model display with color-shaded grid display

45incl/45decli

5.

How do the gravity grids relate to known geology and also to aeromagnetic data?
The steps of georeferencing method are shown in the extra part of this lab. After the geological map is
warped by correct coordinates, it can be used to overly by any survey data which has the same
georeferencing. The results are shown below.

6.

Run Euler deconvolution on the gravity grids to determine source positions and depths.
Use Structural index of 0.5 and 5 % tolerance. This survey was flown 80 metres above ground level.
In order to run Euler deconvolution, the
derivative grids of gravity need to be computed.
As shown on the left, we can see that dz of
gravity is very similar to measured data from
gravity gradiometry except the noisy lines. So
we may use gravity gradiometry data instead of
dz.
SI is directly related to field fall-off rate to the target. Different target shapes need to be
assigned appropriate SI to obtain accurate Euler solutions. For gravity data, SI = 0 is appropriate for Sill
/ Dyke / Ribbon / Step and SI = 1 is appropriate for Cylinder / Pipe.
After performed standard Euler deconvolution with the data set, it gives too many solutions,
hence located Euler is performed instead.
Located Euler deconvolution solutions with SI = 0.5 and SI = 1 are plotted with size and color
proportional to depth as shown below.

With SI = 0.5, it yields 89 solutions whereas SI = 1 yields 92 solutions. The solutions are screened by mask
channel which allow showing only solutions with STD less than 5%. Solution locations computed from SI = 0.5

and 1 are almost identical, however, source depths at the same locations are different. Overall, solutions from
SI = 0.5 tend to give shallower source depth than SI = 1.
The solutions with depth in the same range (as plot in the same color) attribute to the same source.
The examples are shown below. We can see that solutions with similar depths positioned close to each other
a in the red circles.

7.

What are the noise levels in the Gd and Gdd data channels ?
Run fourth difference database convolution filter to calculate two new channels in the database
Filter coefficients are 1, -4, 6, -4, 1

Note: We can use 5 points convolution to obtain noise behavior. From the observation, pattern of noise in Gd
and GDD in the same line are similar except they are in different levels.

Extra: How to mapping coordinate in to your geological map e.g. JPEG file. (Georeferencing)
1.
2.

Import your geological map into oasis.

Pick 3 points and put them in to excel file.

3.
4.

Save your excel file and import it to oasis.

Convert your geographic coordinates to projected x,y coordinates.

5.

Define your warp by picking 3 points in the map as in steps 2.

6.

After step 5, you should have .wrp file. Then you have to attach your .wrp file to your map.
Finally, coordinate of your geological map is created. Now it is ready to be used in your interpretation
e.g. overlay it in magnetics map!!!

References:
in the workshop 7 and 8 folder on Blackboard
Cowan and Cooper, 2009
Muundjua et al, 2007
Schedule 2 Data processing and deliverables
Technical notes on Falcon preliminary processing