Structural Interpretation of the Basement beneath the Southern Desert of Iraq based on Aeromagnetic Data.

What is it about?

The Earth’s magnetic field acts as a large magnetic which magnetizes the igneous rocks located at large depths in the Iraqi Southern Desert. When applying stresses on these rocks, they will break and move up and down or laterally along fractures (faults) making small magnets; exactly like those that form when a large magnet is broken down into small ones. By measuring the values of the Earth's magnetic field, we (in this research) can determine the locations, extensions, orientations, and depths of these faults. The sediments will deposit from paleo-oceans and seas in the lowlands over the igneous rocks forming sedimentary rocks that also will be faulted when the deep faults are active. The sedimentary rocks and the locations of faults within them are the main targets of magnetic exploration since they can possess economic minerals and energy (hydrocarbons) resources

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Why is it important?

It provides an important framework for developing future hydrocarbon exploration strategies for the Southern Desert.

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