Maximum likelihood (ML) estimation of depth from the spectrum of aeromagnetic fields

Summary Starting from the assumption that the aeromagnetic field is a Gaussian random function the probability density function of log-radial spectrum is shown to be a slightly asymmetric non-Gaussian function, 2q/2 (q/2)]^–1 q( ^q/2)–1 exp(q/2(r-exp(r))). The depth to magnetic layer is determined by maximum likelihood (ML) technique and is compared with the least square (LS) estimate. The difference between the two is only marginal, about 15%. The least square estimate is lower than the maximum likelihood estimate.