Magnetic Anomalies and Basement Structure Around Vizianagaram,Visakhapatnam and Srikakulam Districts of Andhra Pradesh,India

A systematic regional magnetic survey was carried out in the districts of Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam and Srikakulam in Andhra pradesh, India comprising an area of 15, 000 sq. km of eastern migmatite zone of Eastern Ghat Mobile Belt. The magnetic anomalies are very noisy, varying between −1300 nT and +700 nT in amplitude and correlate very poorly with the surface geology. Upward continuation of these anomalies brought out distinct magnetic anomaly trends, running along NE-SW on the south and turning later to E-W on the north, consistent with the folding pattern of Eastern Ghats. Based on the termination of anomaly closures and displacement of anomaly trends, five faults, all striking approximately in the N-S direction, were inferred. From inversion of anomaly profiles, it is established that the anomalies are produced by structures in the magnetic basement composed of charnockites.     

Model of the MAGSAT magnetic anomaly field over Europe using spherical cap harmonic analysis

Based on the MAGSAT magnetic anomaly fields over Europe and the adjacent areas spherical cap models have been derived. The method of spherical cap harmonic analysis, due to Haines (1985), has been applied for the modelling of the MAGSAT magnetic anomalies. The data set used in the analysis included the 1 ° × 1 ° gridded values of the MAGSAT anomaly fields between latitudes ϑ = 6 ° to 60 °N and longitudes λ = 19 °W to 70 °E. The pole of the cap is at ϑ = 33 °N and λ = 26 °E and its half-angle is 40 ° . The maximum index (K_m) of the model is 18 and the total number of model coefficients is 361. A minimum wavelength corresponding to this index at the Earth's surface is ~ 1000 km. The RMS deviations between the calculated and observed values are ~ 4 nT for δX, ~ 3 nT for ΔY and 3,5 nT for ΔZ respectively. The spherical cap harmonic model was used for the construction of magnetic anomaly maps for all components and at different altitudes.     

Extraction of the anomaly magnetic field of the earth from stratospheric balloon magnetic surveys at altitudes of 20–40 km

The solution to the problem of extraction of the anomaly Earth’s magnetic field (EMF) from stratospheric balloon magnetic surveys with the help of global analytical models of the normal EMF is proposed. In the problem solution, errors for the analytical models of the normal EMF and its secular variation at a set moment of time are assessed; the found error is introduced as a correction to the extracted anomaly EMF. The error of the model is determined in the places where significant magnetic anomalies are absent. In this case, the error of the model corresponds to deviations of the normal EMF components, synthesized by coefficients of analytical models, and to deviations of the EMF secular variations from the measured values at quite a low value of the variable EMF or one being taken into account. These places are determined when carrying out additional measurements in vertical gradients of the EMF with the use of scalar magnetometers at the gauge length of 6 km. It has been shown that the found places can be considered as nonanomaly, if the difference of values of the anomaly EMF at the gauge length of 6 km does not exceed 1.5 nT within the profile’s portion of about 100 km in length. An experiment in nature has revealed that errors for the IGRF-2005 and IGRF-2010 models, corrected for secular variation of the EMF, can reach 200 and 140 nT, respectively, within the limits of the territory where the Kama-Emba magnetic anomaly is located; these errors are determined by the considered causes. Comparison of aerostatic profiles of magnetic anomalies with data on the anomaly EMF, derived from the maps, has shown that the realizations derived from the maps contain overestimated negative values of the anomaly EMF, because they reflect processes in the near-surface layer of the Earth’s crust. This fact causes the situation when attempts to recalculate the anomaly EMF into the upper half-space by the near-surface data still have not been successful. Only realizations derived at the altitudes comparable to the thickness of the Earth’s crust can give an adequate model of the anomaly EMF in the circumterrestrial space and enable us to recalculate magnetic anomalies reliably into any altitude levels.     

Long wavelength magnetic anomalies from the lithosphere: Indian shield and Himalaya

A few long-range airborne magnetic profiles flown at an altitude of 7.5 km a.s.l. across the Indian shield are analysed and interpreted in terms of magnetization in the lower crust. The wavelengths of the crustal anomalies are in the range of 51–255 km and this is used to separate them from signals originating at shallow depths. Spectral analysis of these profiles provided a maximum depth of 34–41 km for the long-wavelength anomalies and 9–10 km for the shallow sources identified as Mohorovic̆ić discontinuity and the basement respectively. The magnetic “high” recorded in satellite observations over the Indian shield is interpreted as due to a bulge of 3–4 km in the Moho under the Godovari graben, with a magnetization of 200 nT in the direction of the Earth's present-day magnetic field. Similarly the magnetic lows observed over the Himalaya are interpreted in terms of thickening of the granitic part of the crust from 18 to 23.5 km with a magnetization contrast of 200 nT in the direction of the Earth's present-day magnetic field.     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987112000849

New methods are presented for processing and interpretation of shallow marine differential magnetic data,including constructing maps of offshore total magnetic anomalies with an extremely high resolution of up to 1-2 nT,mapping weak anomalies of 5-10 nT caused by mineralization effects at the contacts of hydrocarbons with host rocks,estimating depths to upper and lower boundaries of anomalous magnetic sources,and estimating thickness of magnetic layers and boundaries of tectonic blocks. Horizontal dimensions of tectonic blocks in the so-called "seismic gap" region in the central Kuril Arc vary from 10 to 100 km,with typical dimensions of 25-30 km.The area of the "seismic gap" is a zone of intense tectonic activity and recent volcanism.Deep sources causing magnetic anomalies in the area are similar to the "magnetic belt" near Hokkaido. In the southern and central parts of Barents Sea,tectonic blocks with widths of 30-100 km,and upper and lower boundaries of magnetic layers ranging from depths of 10 to 5 km and 18 to 30 km are calculated.Models of the magnetic layer underlying the Mezen Basin in an inland part of the White Sea-Barents Sea paleorift indicate depths to the lower boundary of the layer of 12-30 km.Weak local magnetic anomalies of 2-5 nT in the northern and central Caspian Sea were identified using the new methods,and drilling confirms that the anomalies are related to concentrations of hydrocarbon.Two layers causing magnetic anomalies are identified in the northern Caspian Sea from magnetic anomaly spectra.The upper layer lies immediately beneath the sea bottom and the lower layer occurs at depths between 30-40 m and 150-200 m.     

Modeling and Interpreting CHAMP Magnetic Anomaly Field over China Continent Using Spherical Cap Harmonic Analysis

Based on the CHAMP Magsat data set, spherical cap harmonic analysis was used to model the magnetic fields over China continent. The data set used in the analysis includes the 15′×15′ gridded values of the CHAMP anomaly fields (latitude φ=25°N to 50°N and longitude λ=78°E to 135°E). The pole of the cap is located at φ=35°N and λ=110°E with half-angle of 30°. The maximum index (Kmax) of the model is 30 and the total number of model coefficients is 961, which corresponds to the minimum wavelength at the earth's surface about 400 km. The root mean square (RMS) deviations between the calculated and observed values are ～ 4 nT for ΔX, ～ 3 nT for ΔY and ～ 3.5 nT for ΔZ, respectively. Results show that positive anomalies are found mainly at the Tarim basin with ～6- 8 nT, the Yangtze platform and North China platform with ～4 nT, and the Songliao basin with ～4-6 nT. In contrast, negative anomaly is mainly located in the Tibet orogenic belt with the amplitude ～ (-6)-(-8) nT. Upward continuation of magnetic anomalies was used to semi-quantitatively separate the magnetic anomalies in different depths of crust. The magnetic anomalies at the earth's surface are from -6 to 10 nT for upper crust, middle crust -27 to 42 nT and lower crust -12 to 18 nT, respectively. The strikes of the magnetic anomalies for the upper crust are consistent with those for the middle crust, but not for the lower crust. The high positive magnetic anomalies mainly result from the old continental nucleus and diastrophic block (e.g. middle Sichuan continental nucleus, middle Tarim basin continental nucleus, Junggar diastrophic block and Qaidam diastrophic block). The amplitudes of the magnetic anomalies of the old continental nucleus and diastrophic block are related to evolution of deep crust. These results improve our understanding of the crustal structure over China continent.     

A comparison of surface magnetic data and MAGSAT data over Italy and its surroundings

A new composite map of magnetic surface (MAGSURF) anomaly for Italy and its adjacent region has been derived from sea and ground surveys on the basis of an improved definition of the Italian Magnetic Reference Field and its temporal change. Spectral analysis of the MAGSURF anomaly field shows a regional scale energy in the wavelength range 145–500 km, due to the presence of various crustal sources. The regional MAGSURF anomaly map shows poor correlation with the corresponding MAGSAT scalar anomaly map, whose power spectrum reveals wavelength components in the range 300–700 km. The MAGSURF data are upward-continued to an elevation of 100 km for comparison with MAGSAT satellite data, downward-continued to the same altitude of 100 km and low-pass filtered for wavelengths larger than 500 km. Upward-continued surface data and downward continued satellite data show good morphological similarity for wavelengths in the range 300–500 km at an altitude of 100 km. Satellite data permit the characterization of magnetic signatures due to sources located in the middle-lower crust of Sardinia, Lombardia, Molise and Dalmatia, while further surface regional anomalies are connected with upper crust bodies of Mid Tyrrhene and East Sicily.     

The structure of the lithosphere beneath the Eastern rift, East Africa, deduced from gravity studies

A compilation of all published and unpublished gravity data for the Eastern rift between latitudes 1°N and 5°S is presented. The Bouguer anomaly map reveals that the shape of the negative regional anomaly associated with the rift is approximately two-dimensional, striking east of north, of width 350 ± 50 km and amplitude500 ± 100 g.u. relative to the background value of−1300 ± 100 g.u. to the west. The regional anomaly is interpreted in terms of an upward thinning of the lithosphere and replacement by low-density asthenosphere. This model is different from previous interpretations in that major lithospheric thinning is restricted to the region of the Eastern rift affected by the domal uplift and does not extend beneath the Lake Victoria region to the west. The gravity and seismic models are compatible if the anomalous upper mantle (asthenospheric part), beneath the rift, is in a state of partial melt. A consequence of the revised regional anomaly is that it reduces previous amplitude estimates of the axial positive residual anomaly within the rift by at least 50% and generates negative anomalies over the rift shoulders in areas covered by Cenozoic volcanics. These negative anomalies are considered to be caused by the low density of the surface volcanics. Within the rift, elongated negative anomalies of amplitude 100–350 g.u. are associated with sedimentary basins and are attributed to low-density sediments up to 3 km thick. The positive residual anomaly along the axis of the rift can be interpreted in terms of either a dyke injection zone less than 15 km wide or by a dense infill body about 2.5 km thick. The positive anomaly is shown to be confined to the volcanic province of the Eastern rift and has its southern termination in the Magadi—Natron area, just north of where the Kenya rift valley changes to block faulting in N. Tanzania. This termination coincides with a change in the spatial distribution of the seismic and geothermal activity.     

Crustal thickness map of Brazil: Data compilation and main features

We present a crustal thickness map of Brazil and adjacent areas based on a compilation of data published in the literature as well as new measurements. We used crustal thicknesses mainly derived from seismic datasets such as deep seismic refraction experiments, receiver function analyses, and surface-wave dispersion velocities. Crustal thicknesses derived from modelling gravity anomalies commonly depend on assumptions, such as constant density contrast across the Moho interface, which are not always easily verifiable and were considered only along the continental shelf to fill large gaps in the seismic data. Our compilation shows that the crust in the stable continental area onshore has an average thickness of 39 ± 5 km (1-σ deviation) and that no clear difference can be observed between low altitude, intracratonic sedimentary basins, NeoProterozoic foldbelts (except for the Borborema Province), and cratonic areas. The thinnest crust is found in the Borborema Province of NE Brazil (30–35 km) and along a narrow belt within Tocantins Province (∼35 km), roughly parallel to the Eastern border of the Amazon craton, while the thickest crust is found in the Amazon and São Francisco cratons (41 ± 4 km), and the Paraná Basin (42 ± 4 km). Both the Ponta Grossa and the Rio Grande Arches are areas of thinned crust, and the western border of the Brazilian platform, near the sub-Andean region, seems to be characterized by a crustal thickness of less than 40 km. Although sparse in data coverage, we expect the resulting crustal thickness map to be useful for future studies of isostasy, dynamic topography, and crustal evolution of the country.     

东海地区重磁场特征及其地质意义

重磁方法是地球物理研究中的重要分支,其以位场理论为基础,具有在水平方向上的高分辨率能力并能够提供地壳深部结构的信息,从而对于研究沉积盆地的形成演化过程起着经济有效的作用.文章以东海地区近年的重磁数据为基础,分析了重磁场特征,布格异常值介于-160～460 mGal,在正值背景上发育一些局部的重力低圈闭,布格重力异常的主体走向为NE向,磁力异常值介于-200～+ 500 nT,磁力异常的主体走向为NE向.同时,利用磁异常数据计算了东海的磁性基底界面,磁性基底深度在4～12 km之间变化,各个地区磁性基底深度起伏变化不同,结合前人研究成果,认为东海地区广泛存在中生界地层.     

Geological interpretation of Bouguer gravity and aeromagnetic data from the Gobi-desert covered area,Eastern Tianshan,China: Implications for porphyry Cu-Mo polymetallic deposits exploration

In this study, Bouguer gravity and aeromagnetic data have been used to better understand the geology and mineral resources near the late Carboniferous-late Permian porphyry Cu-Mo polymetallic mineralization in the Chinese Eastern Tianshan belt, which is extensively covered by Gobi-desert. The reduced-to-pole (RTP) transformation of regional-scale aeromagnetic data shows that the porphyry Cu-Mo deposit is within a cluster of magnetic anomaly highs that overprint on a northeast trending magnetic gradient belt generally along the crustal-scale Kanguertag-Huangshan fault. The 10 km upward continuation transformation of both Bouguer gravity and aeromagnetic data indicates that the known porphyry Cu-Mo polymetallic deposits are located on the flanks of prominent gravity and magnetic anomaly highs. These anomalies are spatially correlated with the late Carboniferous-late Permian igneous rocks and in the Tuwu-Yandong mineralization district are centered over the granodiorite rocks genetically related to porphyry copper systems. In order to minimize interpretational ambiguities, a useful approach that is correlation analysis (CA) based on correlation coefficient (CC) given by gravity and magnetic data was employed to separate positively and negatively correlated anomalies features. The CA procedure is applied to 10 km upward continuation transformation of both Bouguer gravity and RTP transformed aeromagnetic data for mapping correlative magnetization and density contrast anomalies from deep sources, which may be associated with the porphyry Cu-Mo polymetallic mineralization. Five prominent CC positive anomalies have been found in the southern margin of Dananhu-Tousuquan arc. Those anomalies zones could be interpreted to reflect a late Carboniferous-late Permian magmatic belt that is favorable for additional discoveries of late Carboniferous to late Permian porphyry copper systems in north region of Eastern Tianshan.     

Tectonomagnetic study in the seismoactive area of Narmada-Son lineament,central India: Preliminary results on repeat field observations

Repeated measurements of the total geomagnetic field on the five profiles have revealed a picture of stress-induced tectonomagnetic effect in the form of secular variation of the total geomagnetic field in the tectonically and seismically active area of Jabalpur and adjoining areas of the Narmada-Son lineament (NSL), central India. For this experiment, a reference base station was established within the study area at Jabalpur. Using proton precession magnetometers with a sensitivity of 0.1 nT, simultaneous measurements of total geomagnetic field were made annually at the base and all field stations. Five cycles of repeated observations have been performed between 2003 and 2007. For data analysis, a difference method has been applied and the residuals have been calculated as secular variations of the total geomagnetic field with values ranging from ±0.1nT to about ±14.6nT/yr over the different stations. The anomalies in secular variation of the total geomagnetic field may be related to anomalous accumulation of tectonic stresses and tensions on the deep fault zones and crustal blocks due to recent geodynamic processes and active geological inhomogeneities in the NSL.     

Anomaly map ofZ component of the Indian sub-continent from magnetic satellite data

An anomaly map of the Z component has been produced for the region of the Indian sub-continent for the first time by the Survey of India usingmagsat data. Data of thousands of kilometres of satellite tracks of varying altitude have been reduced to a common elevation of 400 km by removing the external field and linear trend. The entire data was plotted on a map of 1:6 M and mean values of 2°×2° blocks then accepted for contouring. A prominent magnetic low is reflected over the Himalayas and a prominent high over the Indian peninsula. The dividing line of positive and negative anomalies between the Himalayas and Deccan Traps falls along the Narmada lineament.     

Subsurface structure derived from detailed gravity and magnetic investigations along the Pala-Maneri traverse of the Main Central Thrust,NW Himalaya

A detailed, integrated gravity and magnetic study across the Main Central Thrust (MCT) along the Pala-Maneri traverse in Uttaranchal, NW Himalaya was carried out. The gravity data was acquired using a CG-3 gravity meter with an accuracy of 0.005 mGal, while magnetic data was acquired using a proton precession magnetometer with a station interval of 20 m. Data was collected along a 11.7 km, NE-SW traverse from Pala to Maneri along the proposed route of a hydroelectric headrace tunnel. The measured variation in the gravity field was approximately 70 mGal, with two prominent highs recorded at distances of 0.5 km, 7.5 km and lows at 3.0 km, 10.5 km from Maneri. The gravity highs can be attributed to presence of high-density rocks along the thrust planes. The sharp gravity low recorded at 10.5 km distance possibly indicates a sympathetic fault of the MCT that is highly saturated with fluids (water). The broad gravity low between 2.5 km and 4.0 km distance is likely to represent the gravity signature of the MCT itself. The measured variation in the magnetic field was approximately 285 nT. The associated gravity and magnetic signatures located several faults along the traverse including presence of the MCT at Kumaltigad.     

QIANGTANG MASSIF CRUST DEFORMATION FEATURES, DIFFERENCE AND ITS GENETIC MECHANISM STUDY

QIANGTANG MASSIF CRUST DEFORMATION FEATURES, DIFFERENCE AND ITS GENETIC MECHANISM STUDY     

Estimation of lower crust magnetization from satellite derived anomaly field

Various lines of evidence point to the lower crust as the source of the long-wavelength magnetic anomaly field measured by the POGO and Magsat satellites. Using seismically determined lower crust thicknesses and equivalent source inversion of the satellite anomaly data, magnetization for the lower crust for much of the United States has been calculated. The average magnetization for two hundred sixty-six 150 × 150 km areas is 3.5 A/m with a standard deviation of 1.1 A/m. These values are consistent with laboratory measurements of mafic-ultramafic rocks expected in the lower crust, and in agreement with previous estimates of lower crust magnetization based on long-wavelength aeromagnetic data. Average lower crust thickness for the same areas is 18.2 km (σ = 6.4 km). Thus, over large regions, it appears that variation in magnetization and variation in magnetic layer thickness contribute almost equally in causing the anomaly field variation at satellite altitude.     

Geodynamics and underlying bedrock of the magnetically active crust layer of the Lut block,Eastern Iran

The Curie point depth map of Eastern Iran was constituted from spectral analysis of the aeromagnetic data. The reduction to pole (RTP) was applied to the magnetic anomaly data. The Curie point depth values from 165 overlapping blocks, 100 × 100 km in size, have been estimated. The Curie point depth method provides a relationship between the 2-D FFT power spectrum of the magnetic anomalies and the depth of magnetic sources by transforming the spatial data into the frequency domain. The centroid and top depth of the magnetic sources (respectively Z₀ and Z_t) is calculated from radially averaged log power spectrum for each block. Finally, the Curie point depth of Eastern Iran is obtained by Z_b = 2Z₀–Z_t. The highest value of 24 km is located in eastern and western boundaries of the Lut block, and the lowest value of 12 km is located at north of study area. The shallow depths in the Curie-point depth map are well correlated with the young volcanic areas and geothermal potential fields. Geothermal gradient ranging from 24 to 45°C/km. The deduced thermal structure in eastern Iran has a relationship with orogenic collapse associated with delamination of thickened lithospheric root between the Lut and Afghan continental blocks.     

Localization of temperature anomalies in the Upper Rhine Graben: insights from geophysics and neotectonic activity

The European Cenozoic Rift System hosts major temperature anomalies in Central Europe. In its central segment, the Upper Rhine Graben (URG), temperatures range from 75°C to nearly 150°C at a depth of 2000 m. Different hypotheses have been suggested to explain the localization of these anomalies. Our review and comprehensive interpretation of gravimetric and magnetic data, as well as neotectonic activity patterns, suggests that low-density, mostly magnetic and fractured granitic basement is systematically associated with major temperature anomalies. Further analyses provide insight into different heat transport processes contributing to the localization of these anomalies. Magnetic and gravity anomalies are known to represent lithological variations associated with the pre-Permian. We show their spatial relationship with positive temperature anomalies in the URG. Correlation between magnetics and temperature reveal a mean contribution of heat production to the temperature anomaly of about 10–15°C. A slightly higher mean value is obtained from correlation between gravity and temperature, which may be attributed to effects resulting from fracture porosity. The spatial relationship between temperature anomalies and neotectonic patterns indicates compressional shear and uplift regime for the major anomalies of the central segment of the URG. This is in agreement with different numerical models indicating free convection on fracture zones linked to faults. Our findings show that about 15–25% of the temperature anomaly can be attributed to variation in heat production. Hydrothermal circulation convection along faults, activated by the tectonic context, may explain the remaining 75–85% of the temperature anomalies.     

Coal fire mapping of East Basuria Colliery,Jharia coalfield using vertical derivative technique of magnetic data

The present study deals with the coal fire mapping of East Basuria Colliery, Jharia coalfield, India, using the magnetic method. It is based on the fact that rise in temperature would result significant changes in magnetic susceptibility and thermo-remanent magnetization (TRM) of the overlying rocks. Magnetism increases slowly with the rise of temperature until the Curie temperature. Generally, rock/ overburden loses magnetization and becomes paramagnetic due to heating to Curie temperature, which results with significant reduction in magnetic susceptibility. However, magnetism increases significantly after cooling below the Curie temperature. Several data processing methods such as diurnal correction, reduction to pole (RTP), first and second vertical derivatives have been used for analysis of magnetic data and their interpretation. It is observed that the total magnetic field intensity anomaly of the area varies approximately from 44850 to 47460 nT and the residual magnetic anomaly varies approximately from ?1323 to 1253 nT. The range of the magnetic anomaly after RTP is approximately 1050–1450 nT. About 20 low magnetic anomaly zones have been identified associated with active coal fire regions and 11 high magnetic anomaly zones have been identified associated with non-coal fire regions using vertical derivative techniques.     

Aeromagnetic signatures over western Marie Byrd Land provide insight into magmatic arc basement, mafic magmatism and structure of the Eastern Ross Sea Rift flank

Aeromagnetic signatures over the Edward VII Peninsula (E7) provide new insight into the largely ice-covered and unexplored eastern flank of the Ross Sea Rift (RSR). Positive anomalies, 10–40 km in wavelength and with amplitudes ranging from 50 to 500 nT could reveal buried Late Devonian(?)–Early Carboniferous Ford Granodiorite plutons. This is suggested by similar magnetic signature over exposed, coeval Admiralty Intrusives of the Transantarctic Mountains (TAM). Geochemical data from mid-Cretaceous Byrd Coast Granite, contact metamorphic effects on Swanson Formation and hornblende-bearing granitoid dredge samples strengthen this magnetic interpretation, making alternative explanations less probable. These magnetic anomalies over formerly adjacent TAM and western Marie Byrd Land (wMBL) terranes resemble signatures typically observed over magnetite-rich magmatic arc plutons. Shorter wavelength (5 km) 150 nT anomalies could speculatively mark mid-Cretaceous mafic dikes of the E7, similar to those exposed over the adjacent Ford Ranges. Anomalies with amplitudes of 100–360 nT over the Sulzberger Bay and at the margin of the Sulzberger Ice Shelf likely reveal mafic Late Cenozoic(?) volcanic rocks emplaced along linear rift fabric trends. Buried volcanic rock at the margin of the interpreted half-graben-like “Sulzberger Ice Shelf Block” is modelled in the Kizer Island area. The volcanic rock is marked by a coincident positive Bouguer gravity anomaly. Late Cenozoic volcanic rocks over the TAM, in the RSR, and beneath the West Antarctic Ice Sheet exhibit comparable magnetic anomaly signature reflecting regional West Antarctic Rift fabric. Interpreted mafic magmatism of the E7 is likely related to mid-Cretaceous and Late Cenozoic regional crustal extension and possible mantle plume activity over wMBL. Magnetic lineaments of the E7 are enhanced in maximum horizontal gradient of pseudo-gravity, vertical derivative and 3D Euler Deconvolution maps. Apparent vertical offsets in magnetic basement at the location of the lineaments and spatially associated mafic dikes and volcanic rocks result from 2.5D magnetic modelling. A rift-related fault origin for the magnetic lineaments, segmenting the E7 region into horst and graben blocks, is proposed by comparison with offshore seismic reflection, marine gravity, on-land gravity, radio-echo sounding, apatite fission track data and structural geology. The NNW magnetic lineament, which we interpret to mark the eastern RSR shoulder, forms the western margin of the “Alexandra Mountains horst”. This fundamental aeromagnetic feature lies on strike with the Colbeck Trough, a prominent NNW half-graben linked to Late Cretaceous(?) and Cenozoic(?) faulting in the eastern RSR. East–west and north–north–east to NE magnetic trends are also imaged. Magnetic trends, if interpreted as reflecting the signature of rift-related normal faults, would imply N–S to NE crustal extension followed by later northwest–southeast directed extension. NW–SE extension would be compatible with Cenozoic(?) oblique RSR rifting. Previous structural data from the Ford Ranges have, however, been interpreted to indicate that both Cretaceous and Cenozoic extensions were N–S to NE–SW directed.