Engineering topics

Johnson, B. D.

Publications and source records attributed to Johnson, B. D..

8 records

NASA NTRS1991

Crustal magnetization and temperature at depth beneath the Yilgarn block, Western Australia inferred from Magsat data

Variations in crustal magnetization along a seismic section across the Archean Yilgarn block of Western Australia inferred from Magsat data are interpreted as a subtle thermal effect arising from variations in depth to the Curie isotherm. The isotherm lies deep within the mantle of the eastern part of the province, but transects the crust-mantle transition and rises well into the crust on the western side. The model is consistent with heat flow variations along the section line. The mean crustal magnetization implied by the model is approximately 2 A/m. The temperature variation implied by the model is consistent with the hypothesis that the crust-mantle transition seen seismically corresponds to the mafic granulite-eclogite phase transition within a zone of igneous crustal underplating.

Mayhew, M. A.↗

NASA NTRS1987

An equivalent layer magnetization model for Australia based on Magsat data

An equivalent layer magnetization model for Australia and adjacent oceanic areas is presented. The model is obtained by linear inversion of Magsat anomaly data measured in the altitude range 325-550 km. The anomaly data set has been isolated from the raw data set by use of models of the core field and very long wavelength external fields, and is internally consistent. Certain major structural features of the Australian continent are geographically associated with magnetization anomalies. A first-order difference is seen between the Tasman Zone and the Precambrian cratonic areas: magnetization anomalies are much more subdued in the former, possibly reflecting a shallowing of the Curie isotherm within the crust. A profile of the vertical integral of magnetization is presented for a crustal section extending from the Gawler Block to the southeast coast. It is shown that the magnetization variations are probably due partly, but not wholly, to depth to Curie isotherm variations; gross magnetization variations among at least three distinct crustal units must be involved.

Mayhew, M. A.↗

NASA NTRS1985

A review of problems and progress in studies of satellite magnetic anomalies

A review is conducted of studies performed during the Magsat project. The obtained data are considered, taking into account questions of data availability, aspects of orbit attitude determination, ionospheric noise, a field model, and an anomaly field presentation. Models for interpretation are discussed, giving attention to forward modeling, and equivalent layer inverse modeling. In an evaluation of rock property constraints, the magnetic bottom is discussed along with Curie points, metamorphism and magnetization, and the direction of magnetization.

Mayhew, M. A.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Viscous remanent magnetization model for the Broken Ridge satellite magnetic anomaly

An equivalent source model solution of the satellite magnetic field over Australia obtained by Mayhew et al. (1980) showed that the satellite anomalies could be related to geological features in Australia. When the processing and selection of the Magsat data over the Australian region had progressed to the point where interpretation procedures could be initiated, it was decided to start by attempting to model the Broken Ridge satellite anomaly, which represents one of the very few relatively isolated anomalies in the Magsat maps, with an unambiguous source region. Attention is given to details concerning the Broken Ridge satellite magnetic anomaly, the modeling method used, the Broken Ridge models, modeling results, and characteristics of magnetization.

Johnson, B. D.↗

NASA NTRS1983

An investigation of the crustal properties of Australia and surrounding regions derived from interpretation of MAGSAT anomaly field data

The 2 deg averaged data set was analyzed and filtered to produce a magnetic anomaly map of the Australian continental region. The map was overlain on a tectonic map of Australia and correlations were made. A data set was selected that is dominated by relatively low elevation profiles with small changes of elevation within the Australian area in an effort to maximize the crustal anomaly field signal and reduce the effect of variation in satellite elevation. Support systems, both hardware and software are described and best-worst case errors encountered during processing of MAGSAT investigator tapes are summarized. The Broken Ridge anomaly was studied for model development purposes.

Johnson, B. D.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Data selection techniques in the interpretation of MAGSAT data over Australia

The MAGSAT data require critical selection in order to produce a self-consistent data set suitable for map construction and subsequent interpretation. Interactive data selection techniques are described which involve the use of a special-purpose profile-oriented data base and a colour graphics display. The careful application of these data selection techniques permits validation every data value and ensures that the best possible self-consistent data set is being used to construct the maps of the magnetic field measured at satellite altitudes over Australia.

Johnson, B. D.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Remanent magnetization model for the broken ridge satellite magnetic anomaly

A crustal model for the interpretation of the Broken Ridge satellite magnetic anomaly was constructed from bathymetric data assuming an Airy-type isostatic compensation. An average crustal magnetization of 6 A.m is required to account for the observed anomaly amplitudes provided that the whole crust is homogeneously magnetized. In contrast, a model representing only the topographic expression of the Broken Ridge, above the surrounding sea floor, requires a magnetization of the order of 40 A.m-1. Since this latter figure is much higher than is to be expected from studies of magnetic properties of oceanic rocks, it is concluded that the majority of the crustal volume of Broken Ridge is magnetized relatively uniformly. The direction of the source magnetization is consistent with an inclination shallower than the present geomagnetic field and close to that of an axial dipole. Since a more northerly source location for Broken Ridge is contrary to the paleolatitude data it is though that the magnetization represents a magnetization obtained by averaging the geomagnetic field direction over a sufficient time to remove secular variation effects. This pattern is indicative of viscous magnetization.

Johnson, B. D.↗

NASA NTRS1980

An equivalent source model of the satellite-altitude magnetic anomaly field over Australia

The low-amplitude, long-wavelength magnetic anomaly field measured between 400 and 700 km elevation over Australia by the POGO satellites is modeled by means of the equivalent source technique. Magnetic dipole moments are computed for a latitude-longitude array of dipole sources on the earth's surface such that the dipoles collectively give rise to a field which makes a least squares best fit to that observed. The distribution of magnetic moments is converted to a model of apparent magnetization contrast in a layer of constant (40 km) thickness, which contains information equivalent to the lateral variation in the vertical integral of magnetization down to the Curie isotherm and can be transformed to a model of variable thickness magnetization. It is noted that the closest equivalent source spacing giving a stable solution is about 2.5 deg, corresponding to about half the mean data elevation, and that the magnetization distribution correlates well with some of the principle tectonic elements of Australia.

Mayhew, M. A.↗