REMARKS ON THE USE OF THE MAGNETIC GRADIOMETER IN OIL EXPLORATION *

The principle of optical pumping allows the design of magnetometers with high sensitivity. When mapping the field of the total magnetic force, it is no longer possible to make full use of the accuracy of the instruments because the accuracy of the reduction of the diurnal variation is limited. By simultaneously recording with two instruments in different altitudes, the vertical gradient can be measured which doe's not depend on the time variation of the magnetic field. Therefore, the gradiometer seems to be a more adequate tool for oil exploration than the magnetometer. It is investigated in this article whether the results of this gradiometer or the measurements of the total magnetic field by the high sensitive magnetometer are more useful in oil exploration. The article comes to the conclusion that for most problems of oil exploration the total magnetic field is a more valuable unit than the vertical gradient measured directly by the gradiometer. The total magnetic field allows a better investigation of the tectonics than the vertical gradient. The apparent advantages of the gradiometer claimed by its supporters are mainly based on inconsistent mathematical concepts.     

Recent and subrecent sedimentary conditions in the southern part of the North Sea–Baltic Sea transition

The recent rate of net sedimentation (0–5mm/yr) in the southern Kattegat is to a high degree governed by resuspension. In shallow areas (10–25 m) there is no or very little sedimentation. Sediments here are sandy lag sediments with a low content of organic matter (0.5–3.0%), nitrogen (0–0.1%) and phosphorus (0.01–0.05%). In deep water (30–60 m) the sediments are clays or fine silts and generally have high contents of organic matter (3.0–10.8%), nitrogen (0.1–0.34%) and phosphorus (0.05–0.10%). Shallow water sediments are relatively well sorted because of resuspension of fine material, which is transported to deeper water. Here the sorting becomes poor because relatively coarser material is supplied during exceptional storm events. Discrimination on erosion/transport bottoms and on depositional bottoms was based on resuspension calculations, grain-size parameters and Passegas (1964) CM diagrams. The IG/N ratio was an useful additional tool. From the sediment content of CaCO₃ it is suggested that recent sedimentation in the deeper parts of southern Kattegat is less influenced by contributions from the North Sea than it was during the early Holocene.     

NVESTIGATION OF TECTONICS BY GRAVITY DETAILING*

Mapping of fault patterns is an important part of geophysical exploration. A computerized digital template analysis method is described which tests gravity maps for the effects of faults by comparing measured gravity data with calculated master curves. The interpreted gravity data are incorporated in a tectonic map using geological symbols and units, for ready use by the geologists. Tectonics can be investigated by gravity detailing if the smallest undulations on the Bouguer map are taken into consideration. Up to now, residual and derivative gravity maps have explained gravity effects by assuming spherical bodies which are almost unknown in geology. The method discussed here uses tectonic elements, such as fault-blocks and dikes as a basis of interpretation instead of the spherical bodies of the conventional interpretation methods. Gravity data can be easily and relatively cheaply obtained in the early phases of exploration by area wide spot coverage following lines of easy access such as roads, etc. Seismic studies, by contrast, have the disadvantage of being executed along predetermined profile lines. Only after sufficient detailing do seismic profiles permit-if at all -an areal mapping of faults. Thus a tectonic map is obtained only at the end of a geophysical survey instead of being available prior to the planning of costly seismic profiles. The use of gravimetric data and their interpretation by the suggested method provides tectonic detail maps in the early phases of geophysical studies. In addition, this article discusses a general geophysical interpretation method, using the investigation of faults by gravity as an example. Applications of this method for different gravity and magnetics problems as well as for combined interpretations are outlined. Detailed case histories will be published in later articles.