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A new look at Belgian aeromagnetic and gravity data through image-based display and integrated modelling techniques

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 May 2009

B. C. Chacksfield
Affiliation:
British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham NG12 5GG, U.K.
W. De Vos
Affiliation:
Belgian Geological Survey, Jennerstraat 13, B-1040 Brussels, Belgium
L. D'Hooge
Affiliation:
Belgian Geological Survey, Jennerstraat 13, B-1040 Brussels, Belgium
M. Dusar
Affiliation:
Belgian Geological Survey, Jennerstraat 13, B-1040 Brussels, Belgium
M. K. Lee
Affiliation:
British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham NG12 5GG, U.K.
C. Poitevin
Affiliation:
Observatoire Royal de Belgique, Avenue Circulaire 3, B-1180 Brussels, Belgium
C. P. Royles
Affiliation:
British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham NG12 5GG, U.K.
J. Verniers
Affiliation:
Department of Geology and Pedology, Universiteit Gent, Krijgslaan 281, B-9000 Gent, Belgium

Abstract

Digital processing and image-based display techniques have been used to generate contour and shaded-relief maps of Belgian aeromagnetic data at a scale of 1:300000 for the whole of Belgium. These highlight the important anomalies and structural trends, particularly over the Brabant Massif. North and vertically illuminated shaded-relief plots, enhanced structural belts trending west–east to northwest–southeast in the Brabant Massif and west–east to southwest–northeast in the core of the Ardennes. The principal magnetic lineaments have been identified from the shaded-relief plots and tentatively correlated to basement structures. Most short lineaments are correlated with individual folds while the more extensive lineaments are correlated with large scale fault structures. Magnetic highs within the Brabant Massif are attributed to folded sediments of the Tubize Group. The magnetic basement in the east of Belgium is sinistrally displaced to the north by an inferred deep NNW–SSE crustal fracture. The Bouguer anomaly map of Belgium identifies the Ardennes as a negative area, and the Brabant Massif as a positive area, with the exception of a WNW–trending gravity low in its western part. The southern margin of the Brabant Massif is defined by a steep gravity gradient coincident with the Faille Bordiere (Border Fault). Trial modelling of the gravity and magnetic data, carried out along profiles across the Brabant and Stavelot massifs, has identified probable acid igneous intrusions in the western part of the Brabant Massif, and a deep magnetic lower density body underlying the whole Ardennes region, which is thought to be a distinctive Precambrian crustal block.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1993

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