Total Field Magnetic Anomaly Map of Italy and Surrounding Marine Areas at Sea Level. Recent Compilation and Scientific Significance

A shaded relief magnetic anomaly map of total intensity of the Earth’s magnetic field for Italy and the surrounding seas has been produced at sea level, for the geomagnetic epoch 1979.0 (see Chiappini et al., 2000). Magnetic observations were made on shore within the framework of Progetto Finalizzato Geodinamica of the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (PFG-CNR) between 1977 and 1981. The off shore data were taken during the period 1965-1972 by the Osservatorio Geofisico Sperimentale (OGS). This new compilation gives an unprecedented view of the magnetic anomaly field of the whole area at ground level, which contains many imprints of the major tectonic elements of Italy, and portrays their regional characterization. In 2004 Caratori et al. have undertaken a detailed reprocessing of old aeromagnetic data taken by AGIP at the national scale, with the inclusion of new data. For the first time now the ground level map and the aeromagnetic map show the existence of common features that allow comprehensive correct scientific investigations.