APPLICATION OF A HILBERT TRANSFORM METHOD TO THE INTERPRETATION OF SURFACE‐VEHICLE MAGNETIC DATA*

The development of an alkali vapour vehicle borne magnetometer providing very high resolution and a high sampling rate has called for reconsideration of interpretation procedures. With continuous profiling at ground level, the close proximity to near surface structures requires that the precise interpretation of geological boundaries be of paramount importance. Rapid digital recording also demands efficient data processing. Both these requirements can be met by the method described. Essentially the method reduces to a simple Hilbert transform of the magnetic profile. The calculation provides an extremely well defined position of the contact and accurate specification of the dip, strike, depth of overburden, and magnetic susceptibility parameters. Particular advantages are tolerance to high frequency noise, independence from a predetermined origin and baseline, and freedom from subjective judgements.