Tectonic Features in Southwestern and Northern Afghanistan Using Aeromagnetic Anomalies

Afghanistan is rich in oil and gas resources, but its exploration is low. This paper is based on aeromagnetic data from the 2006 airborne geophysical survey of Afghanistan conducted jointly by the Afghan Geological Survey and the United States Geological Survey. The magnetic polarization anomalies were obtained using the variable magnetic inclination polarization method, and the local magnetic anomalies were obtained by using the sliding average filter method to separate the magnetic polarization anomalies in the study area by the potential field. At the same time, combined with the geological information on the surface of Afghanistan, the distribution of magmatic rocks and fracture tectonic features were inferred, based on which six tectonic units were delineated and the tectonic framework of the study area was determined, providing a geological basis for future oil and gas exploration in Afghanistan. The study shows that the magnetic anomalies in the study area of Afghanistan are clearly zoned, with most of the high value areas being fracture-dependent, with the main fractures in the Farah Fault area trending nearly east-west and the Kandahar area in the east-central part being mainly north-north-east oriented; the distribution of magmatic rocks corresponds well with the magnetic anomaly areas and their distribution characteristics also match the regional tectonic features.