Magnetometry is a non-invasive, passive potential field technique that measures localized perturbations to the Earth’s magnetic field and anomalies caused by the presence of naturally occurring buried mineral deposits and geologic structures, and manmade ferrous materials. The measured anomaly also partly depends on the type of magnetometer used.

Different kinds of magnetometers exist, each with varying levels of precision and resolution and technical applications: proton-precession magnetometer, alkali-vapor magnetometer, and fluxgate magnetometer. Most magnetic surveys use proton-precession or fluxgate, which operate in stationary or moving mode. Fluxgate magnetometers measure the magnetic field in 3-directions and their magnitude. Proton-precession magnetometers and alkali-vapor magnetometers only measure the total magnetic field’s intensity. High-sensitivity alkali-vapor magnetometers in single-sensor or dual-sensor (gradiometer) mode are preferred for high-precision surveys. Gradiometry surveys, which determine the vertical or horizontal gradient of the magnetic field, are increasingly common in environmental and engineering site investigations as they are susceptible to the near-surface.

Cordillera Geo-Services can acquire and interpret magnetic data for multiple applications across the energy, mining, environmental, groundwater, geotechnical, engineering, and cultural resources sectors.