Borehole magnetic surveys in weakly magnetic sediments (Chicxulub impact crater) versus strongly magnetic volcanics (Bathurst mining camp)

Abstract

Borehole navigation surveys performed using a triaxial fluxgate magnetometer record the change in orientation of the magnetic vector versus depth. Variations in the orientation of the magnetic vector arise from either on- or off-hole magnetic sources. On-hole magnetic sources associated with magnetic property fluctuations in the immediate wall of the borehole (i.e., susceptibility) and (or) remanence polarity changes produce sharp-edged anomalies. Off-hole magnetic sources, caused by a magnetic body near, but not penetrated by, the borehole, produce broad smooth anomalies. Prior to the interpretation of borehole magnetic anomaly logs, data corrections must be applied. Data from each of the magnetic and tiltmeter sensors must be corrected for differential gain, base value offset, and nonorthogonality. By using a probe with two sets of triaxial fluxgates, it is possible to detect along hole magnetic field rotations, which compromise the borehole navigation calculations. After rotation into geographic coordinate space, borehole vector magnetic data from the Chicxulub impact crater in Mexico showed no evidence for any systematic change of magnetic property versus depth. What was originally interpreted as reversal stratigraphy has proved to be minor changes in borehole geometry. Borehole magnetic data from a borehole through the Stratmat deposit, located in the Bathurst mining camp, New Brunswick, show strong off-hole and on-hole anomalies associated with the pyrrhotite-rich ore bodies.