Magnetic imaging of shipwrecks

TL;DR

This paper discusses methods for interpreting magnetic survey data to locate and model shipwrecks on the seabed, including data analysis techniques and case studies of specific wrecks.

Contribution

It introduces a modeling approach for magnetic signals from shipwrecks and provides analysis techniques for interpreting surface magnetic measurements.

Findings

Successful modeling of shipwreck magnetic signatures

Effective interpretation of magnetic data for wreck shape and orientation

Case studies demonstrating the methods' applicability

Abstract

The ferromagnetic material in a shipwreck on the seabed causes a modification to the earth's magnetic field which can be measured at the surface. Proton magnetometer measurements at the surface are used to locate wrecks. Here I discuss how to interpret such data to explore the shape and orientation of the shipwreck on the seabed. I give details of how to model shipwrecks and deduce the magnetic signal that results. I also discuss how to analyse data in a more general way. As examples, I present and analyse data on the shipwrecks of YSTROOM and BOUBOULINA (ex COLONEL LAMB).