Characteristics of Lightning-induced Magnetic Anomalies in Low-altitude Aeromagnetic Data

A low altitude helicopter magnetic survey for unexploded ordnance in New Mexico<br>revealed several magnetic anomalies that were likely induced by lightning strikes. Lightningstrike<br>magnetic anomalies are not necessarily rare, but are often widely spaced. Detailed<br>examples are not often reported because ground geophysical surveys may not cover enough area<br>to detect one, and traditional airborne surveys, which do cover large areas, are carried out at an<br>altitude and line spacing which does not appropriately outline the shape of the lightning strike<br>anomaly.