Magnetics

The magnetometer measures the magnetic intensity (scalar measurement) of the earth’s total magnetic field in nanotesla (nT). In environmental applications, ferro-magnetic materials which are present in the shallow subsurface will create significant anomalies in the total magnetic field. Thus, the presence of buried metal objects can be easily mapped with magnetometer surveys.

Anomalies can be a result of induced magnetism or remnant magnetism. Induced magnetism gives rise to an enhancement of the ambient field due to action of the field on a material that causes it to act as a magnet. The resulting magnetism is directly proportional to the intensity of the ambient field and the ability of the material to enhance the local field (magnetic susceptibility).