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GEOPHE’SICS, VOL. .?5, NO. 5 (OCTOBER 19iO), Y20-926, 4 FIGS.

, 2 TABLES
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UPWARD CONTINUATION OF TOTAL INTENSITY


MAGNETIC FI ELDSt

11I)WIN S. K‘,OBlNSON*

INTRODUCTION preparation of templates which are used in the


Upward continuation of gravity and magnetic graphical solution of the surface integral. When
field data has been used in interpretation for over applied to data digitized on a rectangular grid,
two decades. The additional perspective gained the templates do not utilize all data points; but
from viewing a field at different levels has been they include a number sufticient to produce a
widely recognized as useful in interpreting sub- reasonably accurate upward continuation of the
surface anomaly sources. field.
In the following discussion, the we!l-known To obtain solutions using a digital computer,
methods of upward continuation are considered; obviously we can apply equation (1) directly in
and revised equations are presented for extracting rectangular coordinates, using the argument of
and upward continuing the vertical intensity the integral to obtain a convolution operator.
component from the total intensity component oi Because of the radial symmetry oi the operator,
the anomalous magnetic field. The effectiveness oi tables of generally applicable corliicients can be
the operators is examined by application to com- computed for convolution with an array of digital
puted magnetic fields for simple mod&. data to obtain a particular level of upward con-
tinuation. Such coefficient tables were discussed
UPWARD CONTINUATION OPERATORS
by Fuller (1967). However, for a nominal increase
The most common methods of upward con- in running time digital computers can generate
tinuation involve evaluation of the integral coefficients internally with each application.
Application of equation (1) in rectangular coor-
tlinates utilizes all data points within the span of
the grid operator.
The problem of extracting horizontal and ver-
tical magnetic field intensity components from
total intensity data was considered by Hughes
where F(r, y, z) is a field component on the surface and Pondrom (1947). They assumed that the
z, F(x’, y’, 0) is a field value on the surface z = 0, magnetic field can 1~ separatctl into a regional or
K = ([.1:-~‘]*+[~-y’]~+z~j~‘~. This equation is ob geomagnetic part anti a local anomaI0us part. So
tained as a solution lo the first boundary value long as Ihc forrncr is much larger than the latter,
problem of potential field theory for the cast the inclination of the field vector is treated as a
cvhere the boundary surface is a plane (Sneddon, constant. Then, by choosing a reclangular coor-
1957). In the well-known applications of Hender- dinate system with z positive upward and .r
son (1960), Henderson and Zietz (lY49), and directed along magnetic north, Efughes and
Peters (1949), equation (1) is expressed in polar I’ondron, by applying two dimensional Fourier
coordinates and arranged in a form suitable for transformations, showed that

t Publicationauthorizedby the Director, U. S. GeologicalSurvey. Manuscript receivedby the Editor hlay 4, 1970.
* Department of GeologicalSciences,Virginia PolytechnicInstitute, Blacksburg,Virginia 24061.
Copyright @ 1970by the Society of Exploration Geophysicists.
920
Upward Continuation

(4
RIR + 2 sin CY+ (.r - x’) cos ~21
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where li(z, y, z) is the anomalous magnetic


potential at a point Iyint: a height 2 ahve the I Itcir effectiveness a5 upward continualion cqtcr
plane z=O where the anomalous total field in- ators. ‘I‘LVO sitnplc models, a horizontal plalc and a
tensity iV(.c’, .y’, 0) is kno!vn and a! is the inclimt- vertical plate, and Ihcir respective total intensity
tion angle. The components of the anomalous magnetic anomalies iw magnetic field inclinations
magnetic field at a height z are then obtained by of 70” and .10”are slto!vn in Figure 1. The magnetic
differentiation: fields wre computed by the method of Talwani
(1065). Although the figure shows only the north-
south profiles over the centers of the models, the
tnodel~ are three-tlimen~ioii~tl an<1 the analysis
involved application ol ccluations (1 i and (.la) to :I
11 should be pointed out here that the equation> field oi data I;igureb 2 an<1 .3 compare die itt-
for If, and H, presented by Hughes and I’ondrom tensily compottenls calcuated I)y the T‘ aIwani
are incorrect and will not yield useable results. (1005) method att(l lty uf)\varcl continuation 0i
Differentiation of equation (2) actually yields

Thcreforc, we can obtain tttc anomalous magttclic


field components at some level z above the platic total field intensity data at led’: 0i one and [our
where the anomalous total field intensity is pid units above the data platic sho~ti in Figure 1.
known. Since vertical magnetic ficltls arc (lib- \.xlucs 0i maximum relici along cc)mputcd anti

cussed extensively in the literature anti mosl til)\~arcl-cotriinued profiles attcl the percenl error
interpreters develop some intuitive insiglit for ior the upward continuation results are given in
analyzing them, equation (AC) sl~ould prow use- ‘l’ablc 1, Results uere obtained Cram Fortran
ful as an aid in studying total intensity survey Itrograms designed to operate on an 113&I 360
data. ,\IOD 65 system. The grid operators based upon
equations (1) and (3~) were squaw with dimen-
PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS
sions of 21 X21 grid units. Examples of grid
The remainder of this discussion is directed to- operator coefficients are given in ‘I’able 2.
ward application of equations (I) and (3~) to The results of applying equation (1) to total
anomalous magnetic fields and examination of intensity data show that the upward continuation
922 Robinson

1.5 -
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I.0 -

-1.5 I 1 I I -1.5 I I I I I I
0 IO L 30 40 50 0 40 50
Horizontal Distance in Grid Units m Horizital Dgance 7: Grid Units
2
‘E Of r /,,/////A I I
2;

I
1 ii 1
“5
6 IQ t j
.G
r 15 L -I

$01
Horizontal Plate Vertical Plate
~.‘IG.1. Total magnetic field intensity along north-south profilesover horizontal and vertical [‘late models.IL
mensionsof the modelsare 15X 15X2 grid units for the horizontal plate and 2X41X 11 grid units for the vertical
plate. Amplitudes of magneticfield profilesare in units of field intensity N divided by magnetic.momentper unit
volume M. Profilesare shownfor field inclinations of 01= 70 degrees and 30 degrees.

yields a field which closely reproduces the actual component from total intensity data Since such
total intensity anomaly at the upper level. Insofar operations shift the positions of arromaly maxima
as these models represent actual field anomalies, and minima, they should product additional in-
their projected magnetic anomalies indicate that sight into possible anomaly sources when com-
for practical purposes application of equation (1) pared with corresponding total i IIt ensity data.
yields a good approximation of the total intensity
CONCLUSIONS
at higher levels.
Application of equation (3~) yields a reasonably For practical situations the wellknown upward
accurate representation of the vertical field in- continuation equation (1) expressed in rectangu-
tensity at higher continuation levels. The distor- lar coordinates can be applied to total intensity
tion of vertical intensity data is greater than the magnetic field data to obtain rea+mably accurate
corresponding distortion of total intensity data. representations of the total field intensity at the
This results from using a grid operator of in- higher level.
adequate size. Figure 4 and Table 1 show the re- Extraction and upward continuation of vertical
sults of applying larger operators from which a intensity data from total intensity data may be
very close representation of the vertical field can achieved from the vertical derivative of a mag-
be obtained. The small distortion which this netic potential equation presentecl by Hughes and
illustration reveals is related to the assumption of I’ondrom (1947). Derivative equations presented
constant field inclination. These examples show by them were incorrect and are rcderived in this
that it is feasible to extract the vertical intensity discussion. The extraction and 111 Iward continua-
Upward Continuation 923
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HP-30-I-21 VP-30-I-21

-----+I

I--’
HZ/ 1 ‘

Yr-
\
I _‘ _

. . I
/I
N

t
N HP-30-4-21 S
I.01 , I I I I

;“_z;mj I I I I

z’ . Horizontal Distance in Grid Units


FIG. 2. Comparisons of computed and upward continued magnetic field intensify, along north~south profiles over
models shown in I;igure 1. Profiles are described by title in four parts: model, mclination, upward continuation
level, and size of grid operator. For example, VP-TO-l-21 indicates the vertical plate model magnetized at inclination
of ‘70 degrees, upward continued one grid interval using an operator of dimensions 21X21 grid intervals. N and If,
designate total and vertical compnnenl proiiles. :\mpliLudes are in units of field intensity ;iividcd lay magnetic mo-
ment per unit volume M. Beneath field intcnsit): profiles we curves of (If,,,-I/,)/M and (iv,,-N)/M variation.
‘These profiles represent differences between verL.rcal (II,,) and total (-VU3 intensity profiles obtained by upward
continuation and corresponding stantlard profiles
924 Robinson
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N HP-70-I-21 S
I

N HP-70-4-21 S

L
Horizontal Distance in Grid Units

I‘lC. 3. C:omparisons oi com~n~ted and up~~tl continued magnetic field intensil~


Designations are as in Figure 2.
Upward Continuation 925

Table 1. Comparison of computed and upward


continued values of maximum relief for profiles
shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4. Units and
_:,F_{
model designations are given
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in Figure 2.
RESULTS FROM 21X21 GRID UNIT UPWARD

;:N+,
CONTINUATION OPERATOR

VP 70 1 0.9525 1.0088 5 9 0.9965 1.0088 1.1 IO 20 30 40


VP 70 4 0.4701 0 5176 10 1 0 48Y4 0.5000 2.2
VP 30 I 1.0194 1.1620 14.0 1 0141 1.0264 1.2
HP-30-I-49
VP 30 4 0.4982 0.6144 23.3 0.4894 0.4982 1.8 S
HP 70 1 1.8274 1.9031 4.1 2.1004 2.1338 1.6 0.02 N
HP704 0.8YO8 0.9789 9.9 0.9432 0.9965 5.2
HP301 2.3046 2.5233 9.5 2 2289 2.2676 1.7 0
1fP 30 4 0.9472 1.0775 13.8 0 8820 0.9173 4.0 5
\
RESULTS OBTAIA-ED FOR VERTICAL FIELDS
yZN -0.02
USING LARGER UPWARD I
CONTINUATION OPERATORS 0
‘ -0.04

49X49 Grid Unit Operator 90 X99 Grid Unit Operator -I’ -0.06

Model Upward
Per-
Upaard Per- -0.08 E
Com-
puted ,g;d cz& I%% $;;d kg-

t1P 70 t 1 8274 1.X18(, 1.2 1 .kii 1.8468 1.1 ; _::I =&O I


IIP .30 1 2 3040 2.3328 1.2 2.3046 2.3186 0.6

tion of the vertical intensity component from I IO 20 30 40


total intensity data require a grid operator which Horizontal Distance in Grid Units
is symmetrical about a north-south axis and is
T;‘IG. 4. Comparison profiles for upward continuation
dependent on the inclination of the main magnetic
using grid operations of dimensions 49X49 and 9Y
field. 7‘0 achieve reasonably accurate results, a X99 grid intervals. Other designations are as in Figures
larger grid operator is required than for the corre- 2 and 3.
sponding operation using equation (1) because
the argument of the integral in equation (3~) magnetic field data, provided that the grid lines
attenuates less rapidly with increasing K than the are directed along the magnetic north direction.
argument in equation (1). As a consequence of its
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
lack of circular symmetry and its depcntlence on
field inclination, equation (3~) could not bc easily ‘[‘his study was sponsored by tile U. S. Geo-
evaluated by graphical methods. It i?, however, logical Survey. Computations wci-c carried out at
easily programmed for solution on a digital com- the Computing center Virginia I’olytechnic
puter and can be readily applied to gridded Institute.
Robinson

Table 2. Grid operator coefficients for extracting and upward continuing to a level of one grid interval
the vertical field intensity from the total field intensity given on a plane surface. Actual grid operator
is symmetrical about the left column; only one half of the operator is shown in the tables. Top Lj
table is for operation at 70 degrees inclination; bottom table is for 30 degrees inclination.
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-0.0016 -0.0016 -0.0016 -0.0015 -0.0014 -0.0013 -0.0012 -0.0011 -0.0010 - (I .0009 -0.0008

-0.0019 -0.0019 -0.0018 -0.0017 -0.0016 -0.0015 -0.0013 -0.0012 -0.0011 --0.0010 -0.0009
-0.0022 -0.0022 -0.0021 -0.0019 -0.0018 -0.0016 -0.0014 -0.0013 -0.0011 - (I .OOlO -0.0009

-0.0025 -0.0025 -0.0024 -0.0022 -0.0020 -0.0018 -0.0016 -0.0014 -0.0012 - 0.0010 -0.0009
-0.0028 -0.0028 -0.0026 -0.0024 -0.0021 -0.0019 -0.0016 -0.0014 -0.0012 - (1.OOlO -0.0009

-0.0029 -0.0028 -0.0026 -0.0024 -0.0021 -0.0019 -0.0016 -0.0014 -0.0012 1 U.0010 -0.0009
-0.0017 -0.0018 -0.0019 -0.0019 -0.0018 -0.0016 -0.0014 -0.0012 -0.0011 - 0.0009 -0.0008

0.0045 0.0033 0.0012 -0.0002 -0.0008 -0.0010 -o.oo;o -0.0010 -0.000’) - 0.0008 -0.0007
0.0364 0.0260 0.0117 0.0043 0.0013 0.0001 -0.0003 -0.0005 -0.0006 - 0.0005 -0 .ooos

0.2420 0.1257 0.0393 0.0133 0.0050 0.0019 O.OOU7 0.0001 -0.0001 - U.0002 -0.0003
1.0000 0.3392 0.0781 0.0244 0.0094 0.0041 0.0019 0.0009 0.0004 0.0001 -0 .oooo

0.4943 0.2588 0.0840 0.0305 0.0130 0.0062 0.0032 0.0017 0,0009 1).0005 0.0003
0.1662 0.1225 0.0619 0.0291 0.0143 0.0075 0.0042 0.0025 0.0015 U .0009 0.0006
____-
0.0742 0.0628 0.0411 0.0240 0.0137 0.0080 0 0048 0,003o 0.0019 0.0012 0.0008
0.0406 0.0366 0.0277 0.0188 0.0121 0.0078 0.0050 0.0033 0.0022 0.001.5 0.0010

0.0253 0.0236 0.0194 0.0145 0.0103 0.0072 0.0050 0.0034 0.0024 ii70017 0.0012
0.0172 0.0163 0.0141 0.0113 0.0086 0.0064 0.0047 0.0034 0.0025 U.0018 0.0014

0.0124 0.0119 0.0107 0.0090 0.0072 0.0056 0.0043 0.0033 0.0025 0.0019 0.0014
0.0093 0.0091 0.0083 0.0072 0.0060 0.0049 0.0039 0.0031 0.0024 0.0019 0.0015

0.0073 0.0071 0.0066 0.0059 0.0051 0.0043 0.0035 0.002Y 0.0023 0.0018 0.0015
0.0058 0.0057 0.0054 0.0049 0.0043 0.0037 0.0032 0.0026 0.0022 Il.0018 0.0015
___.. _

-0.0042 -0.0041 -0.0040 -0.0039 -0.0037 -0.0035 -0.0033 -0.0031 -0.0028 - (I.0026 -0.0024
-0.0050 -0.0050 -0.0049 -0.0047 -0.0044 -0.0041 -0 0038 -0.0035 -0.0032 U.0029 -0.0027
-.___
-0.0063 -0.0062 -0.0060 -0.0057 -0.0053 -0.0049 -0.0045 -0.0041 -0.0037 -- 0 0033 -0.0030
-0.0080 -0.0078 -0.0075 -0.0070 -0.0065 -0.0058 -0.0053 -0.0047 -0.0042 --11.0038 -0.0034

-0.0104 -0.0102 -0.0097 -0.0089 -0.0080 -0.0071 -0x62- -0.0055 -0.0048 - II .0042 -0.0037
-0.0141 -0.0137 -0.0127 -0.0114 -0.0100 -0.0086 -0.0074 -0.0064 -0.0055 - 0.0048 -0.0042
-_____
-0.0198 -0.0191 -0.0173 -0.0149 -0.0126 -0.0105 -0.00X8 -0.0074 -0.0062 - 0 .UOS3 -0.0046
-0.0285 -0.0271 -0.0237 -0.0196 -0.0158 -0.oi27 -0.0103 -0.0085 -0.0070 U.lJO59 -0.0050

-0.0351 -0.0350 -0.0313 -0.0250 -0.0194 -0.0151 -0.0119 -0.0095 -0.0078 - 0 .(I065 -0.0055
0.0613 -0.0033 -0.0325 -0.0292 -0.0225 -0.0171 -0.0132 -0.0105 -0.0085 - ll.0070 -0.0058

1 .oooo 0.2130 -0.0109 -0.0280 -0.0236 -0.0182 -0.0141 -0.0111 -0.0090 - - U.0073 -0.0061
0.9889 0.3402 0.0267 -0.0191 -0.0214 -0.0178 -0 0142 -0.0113 -0.0092 - 0 .UO75 -0.0063
___ ___.
0.5337 0.27il 0.0546 -0.0054 -0.0161 -0.0157 -0.0134 -0.0110 -0.0001 - 0 .I1075 -0.0063
0.3208 0.2077 0.0669 0 .OOBO -0.0090 -0.0123 -0.0117 -0.0102 -0.0087 0.0078 -0.0062
-_____ ____
0.2135 0.1570 0.0685 0.0180 -0.0019 -0.0082 -0.OOY4 -0.0089 -O.OOiY - o.nohY -0.0060
0.1524 0.1213 0 0646 0.0242 0.0041 -0.0041 -0.0069 -0.0074 -0 ooio - Il.0063 -0.0056

0.1142 0.0958 -0.0043 -0.00.57 -0.ons9 --II .0056 -0.0051


0.0889 0.07i3 0.0520 0.0281 0.0118 0.002i -0.0019 -0.0039 -0.0047 - II .I)048 -0.0046
~___
0.0711 0.0635 0.0459 0.0276 -0.0035 - lI.UO34 -0.0039
0.0582 0.0530 0.0405 0.0264 0.0148 0.0069 0 001’) -0.0009 -0.0024 - 11.0031 -0.0033

0.0485 0.0449 0.0357 0.0248 0.0152 0.0081 0.0034 0.0004 -0.0013 -- 11.0022 -0.0027

REFERENCES of vertical magnetic anomalies from total magnetic


field measurements: Trans. Amet ican Geophysical
Fuller, B. D., 1967, Two-dimensional frequency analy- Union, v. 28, p. 193-197.
sis and design of grid operators, in Mining geo- Peters, L. J,, 1949, The direct apprclach to magnetic
physics, v. 2, Theory: Tulsa, SEG, p. 6.58-703. interpretation and its practical ;II)plication: Geo-
Henderson, R. G., 1960, A comprehensive system of physics, v. 14, p. 290-320.
automatic computation in magnetic and gravity Sneddon, I. N., 1957, Elements of l,;utial differential
measurements: Geophysics, v. 2.5,p. 569-585. equations: New York, McGraw-Hill Book Company.
Henderson, R., G., and Zietz, I., 1949, The upward Talwani, M., 1965, Computation Hith the help of a
continuation of anomalies in total magnetic intensity digital computer of magnetic anomalies caused by
fields: Geophysics, v. 14, p. 517-534. $lies of arbitrary shape: Geoph!.>lcs, v. 30, p. 797-
Hughes, D. S., and Pondrom, W. L., 1947, Computation

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