Analysis of a large extent aeromagnetic survey near the geomagnetic equator (Minas Gerais,Brazil)

A large extent aeromagnetic survey, covering a 9°×9° degree of a Precambrian shield area in SE Brazil, was used to analyse long wavelength magnetic anomalies with the purpose of determining the magnetic structure of the lithosphere.Data analysis based on a novel approach to the estimation of the parameters in the statistical model ofSpector andGrant (1970), reveals a highly magnetized lower crust, bounded by an essentially non-magnetic upper mantle. The highly magnetized layer can be associated with a higher density lower crust model, derived from gravity and seismic data available in the area, suggesting a compositional transition from upper to lower crust.It was also verified that the operation of reduction to the pole, which is singular at the geomagnetic equator, performs quite satisfactorily at the low geomagnetic inclination of the area, bringing into accordance the long wavelength anomalies with the structural trends.