Geophysical interpretation of the magnetic anomalies of the Earth derived from MAGSAT data

The ambiguities about geophysical implications based on the correlation of scalar magnetic anomalies and geological features were investigated. A method was developed to convert scalar magnetic anomalies into a map of the lateral variations of magnetic susceptibility of the lithosphere. This map is directly correlated with the causative sources. The method is based on spherical harmonic analysis of lateral variations seen on the scalar magnetic anomaly map and those of the lithospheric magnetic susceptibility. The harmonic coefficients are related through the fundamental causality relationship governing a magnetized body and its associated scalar magnetic anomaly. The main features of the resulting magnetic susceptibility anomalies are outlined.