MINISTRY OF MINERALS

MINERAL RESOURCES INSTITUTE

DEPARTMENT: GEOLOGY AND MINERAL EXPLORATION

COURSE: PETROLEUM GEOSCIENCES

MODULE: GRAVITY AND MAGNETIC METHOD

MODULE CODE: PGT05201

STUDENT’S NAME: FRANK KYANDO

REGISTRATION NO: NS0138/0025/2016

TUTOR’S NAME: MR. MPELI MWAIKENDO

QN: Explain the similarities and differences between gravity and magnetic field

methods.

SUBMISSION DATE: 28/06/2019

Gravity methods and magnetic are geophysical methods used in different explorations such as
mineral and petroleum explorations for the purpose of understanding the physical properties of
the earth in the area of interest.

The following are the similarities of gravity method and magnetic method

a) The acquisition, reduction, and interpretation of gravity and magnetic observations are
very similar.
b) The geophysical exploration techniques that use both gravity and magnetic methods are
passive, this means that when using these methods naturally occurring field of the earth
are measured, generally the gravity and magnetic methods are often referred to as
potential methods and the gravitational and magnetic fields that we measure are referred
as potential fields.
c) Vary from place to place for example gravity varies from the equator to the poles.
d) Both are vector fields that is to say they both measure magnitude and direction.
e) Both fields are force fields.
f) Drift correction is applied in both methods.
g) Both fields exert force with a speed equal to the speed of light.
h) Identical physical and mathematical representations can be used to understand magnetic
and gravitational forces.

The following are the differences between gravity and magnetic methods

a) Gravitational field is always perpendicular to the surface of the earth.

WHILE

Direction of magnetic field changes from place to place ( it might be same at

different places but unlike gravity it is not always perpendicular).

b) Gravity field is measured by mechanical instruments.

WHILE
Magnetic field is measured by purely electronic instruments.
c) Value of gravity is less near the equator than at the poles ( about 5 gals) due to the
greater distance to the earth’s center.

WHILE

Magnetic field varies from the equator to the poles in a range that goes from
20000 nT to 70000 nT.

d) Unlike the gravitational field, which does not change significantly with time.

WHILE

The magnetic field is highly time dependent.

e) Gravimeter is used in measurement of gravity in gravity method and it is relative.

WHILE

Magnetometers are used in measurement of magnetic field and is absolute

f) Tides are only external effect on value of gravity and can be corrected .
WHILE

The effects of magnetic storms cannot be removed .

g) A properly reduced gravitational field is always generated by subsurface

variations in rock density

WHILE

A properly reduced magnetic field, however can have as its own origin at least
two possible sources, it is produced via an induced magnetization, or it can be
produced via a remanent magnetization.
REFFERENCE

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