Ground-Magnetic Studies of the Amargosa Desert Region, California and Nevada

In most cases, these anomalies can be interpreted in terms of exposed rocks and sedimentary deposits. More difficult to explain are linear magnetic anomalies situated over lithologies that typically have very low magnetizations.

Aeromagnetic anomalies are observed, for example, over thick sections of Quaternary alluvial deposits and spring deposits associated with past or modern ground-water discharge in Ash Meadows, Pahrump Valley, and Furnace Creek Wash. Such deposits are typically considered nonmagnetic. To help determine the source of these aeromagnetic anomalies, we conducted ground-magnetic studies at five areas: near Death Valley Junction, at Point of Rocks Spring, at Devils Hole, at Fairbanks Spring, and near Travertine Springs.