Abstract
Edge detection is a useful tool in the interpretation of potential field data, and the existing edge detection filters are almost functions of first-order horizontal and vertical derivatives. We propose step-edge detection filters to improve the resolution of edge detection results, which use the functions of different-order derivatives to accomplish the edge detection task. We demonstrate the proposed filters on synthetic potential field data, and the results show that the new methods can recognize the edges of the sources more precisely and clearly. We also discuss the application effect of different step-edge detection filters. Lastly, we apply the proposed filters to real potential field data, and the recognized edges of the stratigraphic markers are more precise and clear.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Blakely, R. J., (1995), Potential theory in gravity and magnetic applications, Cambridge University Press.
Cooper,G. R. J. and Cowan, D. R., (2006), Enhancing potential field data using filters based on the local phase, Computers & Geosciences 32, 1585–1591.
Cooper,G. R. J. and Cowan, D. R., (2008), Edge enhancement of potential-field data using normalized statistics, Geophysics 73, H1–H4.
Cordell, L., (1979), Gravimetric expression of graben faulting in Santa Fe Country and the Espanola Basin, New Mexico: New Mexico Geol. Soc. Guidebook, 30th Field Conf., 59–64.
Cordell, L. and Grauch, V. J. S. (1985), Mapping basement magnetization zones from aeromagnetic data in the San Juan basin, New Mexico. in Hinzc. W. J. Ed. The utility of regional gravity and magnetic anomaly. Society of Exploration Geophysicists. 181–197.
Evjen, H. M., (1936), The place of the vertical gradient in gravitational interpretations, Geophysics 1, 127–136.
Fedi, M. and Florio, G., (2001), Detection of potential fields source boundaries by enhanced horizontal derivative method, Geophysical prospecting 49, 40–58.
Hood, P. J. and Teskey, D. J., (1989), Aeromagnetic gradiometer program of the Geological Survey of Canada, Geophysics 54, 1012–1022.
Hsu, S., Sibuet, J. C. and Shyu, C. (1996), High-resolution detection of geologic boundaries from potential field anomalies: an enhanced analytic signal technique, Geophysics 61, 373–386.
Ma, G. and Li, L., (2012), Edge detection in potential fields with the normalized total horizontal derivative, Computers & Geosciences 41, 83–87.
Ma, G., (2013). Edge detection of potential field data using improved local phase filter, Exploration Geophysics 44, 36–41.
Miller, H.G. and Singh, V., (1994), Potential field tilt—a new concept for location of potential field sources, Journal of Applied Geophysics 32, 213–217.
Roest, W. R., Verhoef, J. and Pilkington, M., (1992), Magnetic interpretation using the 3-D analytic signal, Geophysics 57, 116–125.
Verduzco, B., Fairhead, J. D. and Green, C. M., (2004), New insights into magnetic derivatives for structural mapping, The Leading Edge 23, 116–119.
Wijns, C., Perez, C. and Kowalczyk, P., (2005), Theta map: edge detection in magnetic data, Geophysics 70, 39–43.
Acknowledgments
We acknowledge the assistance of the associate editors and the reviewers in improving the paper, and this work is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 41404089), the State Key Program of National Natural Science of China (Grant No. 41430322) and the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (Grant No. 2014M550173).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ma, G., Huang, D. & Liu, C. Step-Edge Detection Filters for the Interpretation of Potential Field Data. Pure Appl. Geophys. 173, 795–803 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00024-015-1053-6
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00024-015-1053-6