Delineation of long-wavelength magnetic anomalies over central India by rectangular harmonic analysis

Abstract

The method of rectangular harmonic analysis is applied to the geomagnetic field data from central India to isolate long wavelength magnetic anomalies associated with largescale crustal structures. The long-wavelength anomalies have accounted for approximately 20 % of the spatial variability of the residual magnetic field over the International Geomagnetic Reference Field. On the magnetic anomaly map, reflecting the surface expression of longwavelength anomalies, the Tapi-Narmada-Son zone is characterized by a feeble positive anomaly bounded by a strong negative anomaly. The anomaly pattern is believed to be caused by the large-scale undulation in Moho and related variations in the thickness of the lower (basaltic) crust. The other two prominent anomalies, the magnetic low striking northwest and the magnetic high trending east-northeast, appear to be related to the deep structural feature of the Godavari graben and the eastern Rajasthan lineament respectively.