2.2.5. Magnetic surveys

The earth also acts like a huge magnet. The rapid spinning of earth creates electric currents in its centre (molten outer core) that creates a magnetic field around the earth. The magnetic field is strongest at the magnetic north and south poles. The magnetic north and south poles do not coincide with geographic north and south poles. In fact, the earth’s magnetic field keeps on changing. Magnetic surveys provide information about the distribution of magnetic materials in the crustal portion, and thus, provide information about the distribution of materials in this part.