Comparison of ground and aero magnetic data in the Eastern Pontides (Türkiye) and inferences regarding the crustal structure with the support of gravity data

Magnetic and gravity surveys are widely utilized in geological research due to their efficiency and rapid data acquisition capabilities. Various global data platforms integrate measurements obtained from ground, sea, and airborne surveys. However, combining these datasets can sometimes lead to a reduction in resolution.

This study aims to analyze both airborne and ground magnetic data in the Eastern Pontides to assess this issue. A comparison of the two data sources, following normalization, reveals significant similarities. Magnetic anomaly values obtained from both different data sources overlap by almost 90 %. Additionally, the findings suggest that conducting ground magnetic surveys at intervals of no more than 10 km is sufficient for modeling large-scale deep structures.

The second objective of this study is to integrate magnetic data with Bouguer gravity data to develop a conceptual crustal model for the Eastern Pontides. Contrary to the commonly suggested monotonous increase in crustal thickness from north to south, this study identifies a gravity anomaly of approximately 50 mGal in the southern part of the region, indicating a localized thinning of the crust. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that combining ground and aeromagnetic data provides a more detailed and reliable assessment of crustal thickness variations.