Accession Number:

AD0255994

Title:

EFFECTS OF SOIL MAGNETIC PROPERTIES AND NATURAL MAGNETIC MICRO-ANOMALIES OF TYPICAL TROPICAL SOILS ON PASSIVE MAGNETIC LAND MINE-DETECTION METHODS.

Descriptive Note:

Technical rept.

Corporate Author:

ARMY ENGINEER RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT LABS FORT BELVOIR VA

Personal Author(s):

Report Date:

1961-02-10

Pagination or Media Count:

63.0

Abstract:

Measurements were made of micro-distortions in the earths magnetic field at the soil surface of 24 test sites in the Panama Canal Zone. The test sites were chosen as representative of typical humid tropical soils. Magnetic properties of the soil were measured both in the field and in the laboratory. Correlation was found between soil magnetic properties including natural magnetic micro-anomalies and passive magnetic minedetection feasibility. It was concluded that 1 the use of a passive magnetic system for detection of nonmetallic 50-cubic-inch mines AP size is generally not feasible in the Panama Canal Zone and is not expected to be feasible in any similar humid tropical region 2 Anomalous signals produced by natural causes are the most detrimental factor to passive magnetic methods in humid tropical regions 3 The most common causes of anomalous response due to natural effects are buried stones and pieces of rock and 4 The detection method may be fair in areas of stone-free homogeneous magnetic sand. These areas, however, represent less than 1 percent of the land area of the Panama Canal Zone. Author

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Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE


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