The use of potential field data in revealing the basement structure in sub-basaltic settings: an example from the Møre margin, offshore Norway

This study investigates the utility of the potential fields (gravity and magnetics) in volcanic settings as observed on the Møre margin. Synthetic models are used to investigate the effect of volcanics on the gravity and magnetic fields. The focus is on detecting sub-basaltic basement structures. The methods applied to the models are Euler deconvolution on magnetic data, gravity gradients and integrated 3D gravity and magnetic forward modelling. The same methods are used on the Møre margin and the results compared to the synthetic models. The Euler deconvolution on the magnetic signal does provide limited depth solutions in the volcanic environment and the use of different observation levels does not enhance the results. Forward gravity and magnetic models provide a valuable tool to estimate both the basalt and sub-basaltic sedimentary thickness but are limited by the ambiguity inherent in potential field methods. The use of gravity gradients significantly decreases the available model solutions and provides boundary detection even in sub-basaltic settings.