Comparison of in-situ Field Measurements of Soil Magnetic Susceptibility with Laboratory Data

Results of magnetic susceptibility mapping around a coal-burning power plant were used to verify the field in situ measurements with data acquired in laboratory on soil samples collected at approximately the same measurement grid sites at different distance from the source. This comparison enables quantifying the field data obtained using the Bartington MS2 meter and to relate them, at least approximately, to mass specific values. Moreover, it is shown that certain diversity in the grid points of field measurements and soil sampling can slightly bias the field measurements. However, this shift is of minor significance and Bartington field readings can be considered as reliable.     

Inter-laboratory calibration of low-field magnetic and anhysteretic susceptibility measurements

Inter-laboratory and absolute calibrations of rock magnetic parameters are fundamental for grounding a rock magnetic database and for semi-quantitative estimates about the magnetic mineral assemblage of a natural sample. Even a dimensionless ratio, such as anhysteretic susceptibility normalized by magnetic susceptibility (K_a/K) may be biased by improper calibration of one or both of the two instruments used to measure K_a and K. In addition, the intensity of the anhysteretic remanent magnetization (ARM) of a given sample depends on the experimental process by which the remanence is imparted. We report an inter-laboratory calibration of these two key parameters, using two sets of artificial reference samples: a paramagnetic rare earth salt, Gd₂O₃ and a commercial “pozzolanico” cement containing oxidized magnetite with grain size of less than 0.1 μm according to hysteresis properties. Using Gd₂O₃ the 10 Kappabridges magnetic susceptibility meters (AGICO KLY-2 or KLY-3 models) tested prove to be cross-calibrated to within 1%. On the other hand, Kappabridges provide a low-field susceptibility value that is ca. 6% lower than the tabulated value for Gd₂O₃, while average high-field susceptibility values measured on a range of instruments are indistinguishable from the tabulated value. Therefore, we suggest that Kappabridge values should be multiplied by 1.06 to achieve absolute calibration. Bartington Instruments magnetic susceptibility meters with MS2B sensors produce values that are 2-13% lower than Kappabridge values, with a strong dependence on sample centering within the sensor. The K_a/K ratio of ca. 11, originally obtained on discrete cement samples with a 2G Enterprises superconducting rock magnetometer and a KLY-2, is consistent with reference parameters for magnetites of grain size <0.1 μm. On the other hand, K_a values from a 2G Enterprises magnetometer and K values from a Bartington Instruments MS2C loop sensor for u-channel and discrete cement samples, will produce average K_a/K values that are unrealistically high if not properly corrected for the nominal volume detected by the sensors for these instruments. Inter-laboratory measurements of K and K_a for standard paleomagnetic plastic cubes filled with cement indicate remarkable differences in the intensity of the newly produced ARMs (with a standard deviation of ca. 21%), that are significantly larger than the differences observed from the calibration of the different magnetometers employed in each laboratory. Differences in the alternating field decay rate are likely the major source of these variations, but cannot account for all the observed variability. With such large variations in experimental conditions, classical interpretation of a “King plot” of K_a versus K would imply significant differences in the determination of grain size of magnetite particles on the same material.     

Bartington MS2和Kappabridge MFK1-FA不同频率的磁化率在黄土、红粘土和湖相沉积物中的应用

通过Bartington MS2 和Kappabridge MFK1-FA两种仪器对黄土-古土壤、红粘土和湖相沉积物样品进行了5个频率的磁化率测试,并计算得到了4个频率磁化率.通过对比分析不同类型样品磁化率-频率变化曲线可知,当样品中细颗粒磁性矿物含量较高时,磁化率在较低频率即可达到峰值,而当样品中细颗粒磁性矿物含量较低时,磁化率在较高频率时才能达到峰值.因此,在黄土-古土壤等样品的应用中,成壤作用较强,细颗粒亚铁磁性矿物含量较高,Bartington MS2的低频(465 Hz)与Kappabridge MFK1-FA的F₁(976 Hz)和F₂(3905 Hz)频率均处于磁化率峰值区域,可以检测到SP/SD阀值区域颗粒的信息,但是对于红粘土和湖相沉积物等细颗粒亚铁磁性矿物含量较低的样品,磁化率峰值对应的频率较高,MS2型磁化率仪无法有效地检测其中细颗粒的含量,而MFK1-FA中F₂(3905 Hz)和F₃(15616 Hz)两个频率间的频率磁化率则可以较好地完成这一任务.     

龙门山构造带WFSD-2钻孔岩心磁化率特征及其对大地震活动的响应

岩石磁化率特征可以帮助判断岩石的形成环境,对地震过程中滑动摩擦伴随高温的物理-化学变化具有显著反应.本研究以钻穿龙门山中段构造带的汶川地震断裂科学钻探2号孔(WFSD-2)岩心为研究对象,使用Bartington MS2K磁化率仪对500~2283.56 m深度的岩心进行高分辨率无损磁化率测试,并结合岩性特征和显微结构探讨了龙门山构造带主要岩石单元的磁化率特征及其地震断裂活动的磁学响应.磁化率测试结果表明,由花岗岩和火山碎屑岩组成的彭灌杂岩体的磁化率值(数十到数千个10~(-6)SI)普遍高于上三叠统须家河组沉积岩的磁化率值(数个到数十个10~(-6)SI).从WFSD-2岩性分布来看,彭灌杂岩上下出露四段,其磁化率值特征反映它们属于不同的岩石单元,它们与下伏须家河组地层呈断层接触,构成叠瓦状构造,指示了龙门山构造带具有强烈的地壳缩短作用.断裂带中处于滑动带的断层泥和假玄武玻璃具有高磁化率特征,而断层角砾岩和碎裂岩不具有高磁化率值特征,表明断层岩磁化率增高的原因可能主要与地震断裂滑动摩擦过程中高温作用下发生的磁性矿物转换有关,断层岩中高磁化率异常可作为大地震活动的证据.WFSD-2岩心中的映秀—北川断裂带(600~960 m)可识别出约80条高磁化率异常的断层岩带,揭示映秀—北川断裂带是一条长期活动的断裂带,龙门山构造带形成演化过程中伴随着大地震活动.     

Magnetic Susceptibility Screening of Anthropogenic Impact on the Danube River Sediments in Northwestern Bulgaria - Preliminary Results

Several events of anthropogenic impacts on the floodplain river sediments of the Danube along a section near the town of Oryakhovo (NW Bulgaria) have been detected using magnetic technique. In the field, magnetic susceptibility was measured using three susceptibility meters – MS2D, KT-5 and SM30. The differences in the surface susceptibility values measured with the different instruments are ascribed to the various penetration depths which depend on several parameters like sensor diameter, frequency and field strength. This is supported by the detailed laboratory study on penetration depth and sensitivity of the new SM30 susceptibility meter and the comparison with the already existing data for the other two sensors. Boundaries between different flooding events are clearly linked with significant variability of the measured susceptibility values corresponding to one and the same level. Sediment cores, taken at different distances from the water level, show the history of depositional events and corresponding degree of anthropogenic pollution. Identification of the magnetic phases responsible for the signal was carried out by means of thermomagnetic (T) curves. The main carrier is magnetite with Tc of 580°C or oxidized magnetite with Tc of 600°C. A second kink at about 300°C is better expressed for samples with lower susceptibilities. It may correspond to several minerals, e.g. maghemite, pyrrothite, titanomagnetite, as well as different mineral transformations of paramagnetic minerals (decomposition, dehydroxilation, etc. for example siderite, lepidocrocite). The samples showing strong magnetic enhancement are characterized by the predominance of magnetite. Optical microscopy on magnetic extracts shows the presence of small spherical particles, typical for the anthropogenic magnetic phases from high-temperature technological processes. Well expressed susceptibility variations along the cores suggest the presence of several stages of different degree of pollution, covering an estimated period of about 30 years.     

Comparison of methods for estimating earth resistivity from airborne electromagnetic measurements

Earth resistivity estimates from frequency domain airborne electromagnetic data can vary over more than two orders of magnitude depending on the half-space estimation method used. Lookup tables are fast methods for estimating half-space resistivities, and can be based on in-phase and quadrature measurements for a specified frequency, or on quadrature and sensor height. Inverse methods are slower, but allow sensor height to be incorporated more directly. Extreme topographic relief can affect estimates from each of the methods, particularly if the portion of the line over the topographic feature is not at a constant height above ground level. Quadrature–sensor height lookup table estimates are generally too low over narrow valleys. The other methods are also affected, but behave less predictably. Over very good conductors, quadrature–sensor height tables can yield resistivity estimates that are too high. In-phase–quadrature tables and inverse methods yield resistivity estimates that are too high when the earth has high magnetic susceptibility, whereas quadrature–sensor height methods are unaffected. However, it is possible to incorporate magnetic susceptibility into the in-phase–quadrature lookup table. In-phase–quadrature lookup tables can give different results according to whether the tables are ordered according to the in-phase component or the quadrature component. The rules for handling negative in-phase measurements are particularly critical. Although resistivity maps produced from the different methods tend to be similar, details can vary considerably, calling into question the ability to make detailed interpretations based on half-space models.     

Magnetic survey of topsoils in Windsor–Essex County, Canada

Windsor–Essex County is a major cross-border truck and transportation route, with significant localized industrialization as well as rural and farming areas. Magnetic property measurements (in-field and laboratory susceptibility, frequency-dependent susceptibility, hysteresis properties, thermomagnetic and thermosusceptibility curves, anhysteretic and isothermal magnetizations) were made in order to determine the potential for using such variables to distinguish between natural and anthropogenic pollutants. In-field magnetic susceptibility measured on 324 soil sampling sites on a 0.5–2 km grid spacing through Windsor–Essex County ranged from 3.7 × 10^− 6 to 305.2 × 10^− 6 SI (average 36.2 ± 35.8 × 10^− 6 SI), and showed that high magnetic susceptibility values were obtained on soil sampling sites in and around the cities/towns of Windsor, Harrow, Olinda and Oakland and near the beaches of Point Pelee National Park (PPNP) and Deerbrook, whereas lower susceptibility values were observed in near the towns of Lakeshore and Essex. On this grid spacing, Highway 401 (the major truck route) did not show anomalous susceptibility values; however, closer (1–3 m) sampling on other roads did show anomalously high values, suggesting that the coarser grid spacing may have missed anomalies. Laboratory measurements indicated that the dominant magnetic mineral in the Windsor–Essex County soils is magnetite; however, the grain size is variable. Pseudo-single domain (PSD)–multidomain (MD) magnetite is generally found on beaches and in PPNP, whereas single domain (SD)–PSD magnetite has been found near the City of Windsor and other towns. While certain correlations exist between some anthropogenic activities and the measured magnetic susceptibility and magnetic property values, no overall correlation can be made. A variety of geologic and anthropogenic factors must be considered when interpreting the origin of the magnetic signal in a particular area.     

Experimental study of fly-ash migration by using magnetic method

Several studies have shown that magnetic measurements can be used in assessing soil contamination due to atmospheric deposition of pollutants. Reliable spatial mapping of magnetic susceptibility of soils assumes high temporal stability of deposited particles, accumulated in top-soil horizons. One of the main methodological concerns is whether the migration of deposited anthropogenic ferrimagnetic particles may bias the measured values. Measurements carried out on high-porosity (sandy) soils, or on soils with a very variable water regime may yield inconsistent values of top-soil magnetic susceptibility as the indicator of contamination. This study focuses on the laboratory examination of migration of fly ashes from a coal-burning power plant in sands of different porosity and under a simulated rain regime. Columns of sand of different grain sizes, placed in plastic cylinders, were contaminated on the surface by the fly ash. The vertical migration of magnetic particles was monitored using measurements of magnetic susceptibility with an SM400 Kappameter. Calibration measurements in the water environment showed an erroneous performance and resulted in the technical improvement of the used susceptibility meter (Model 2009). Our results show that the vertical distribution of flyash particles deposited on fine sand is very stable even after repeated rain simulation. The peak value of magnetic susceptibility is located in a stable position a few millimeters under the surface. Hence, standard top-soil magnetic mapping is in such a case reliable and fully representative. Contrary to that, in case of coarse sand, the peak value of magnetic susceptibility migrates by more than 10 cm. The results will be further used for numerical modeling of contaminant transport in porous media.     

Use of variograms for field magnetometry analysis in Upper Silesia Industrial Region

Measurements of topsoil magnetic susceptibility are often used for quick assessment of soil contamination of anthropogenic origin, with heavy metals or other pollutants. However, because of complicated correlations between low-field magnetic susceptibility (shortened to magnetic susceptibility) of topsoil and soil pollution, the outcome of a field magnetometry survey can not be related directly to soil pollution. For each case study, the results should be interpreted on their own taking into account not only the type of pollution but also pedogenic, biogenic and environmental factors. In practice, it is very difficult to measure and consider all these factors. Here we illustrate the merit of geostatistical methods, which are focused on the spatial variability of a phenomenon, in the interpretation of soil magnetometry results. This article presents the analysis of spatial variability of top soil layers magnetic susceptibility-within the Upper Silesia Industrial Region (USIR)-using semivariance analysis. It also explains how to adjust the sampling density of field magnetometry measurements to spatial variability of the soil pollution as well as to the spatial scale of the investigated area. For this purpose, the values of magnetic susceptibility have been measured by using various sampling densities at areas of different size located within USIR. This enabled to determine the main scales of magnetic susceptibility spatial variability of soils within USIR using semivariance. A few distinct scales of variability were found from the site scale to a more regional scale. Variability ranges of 30 km, 12 km, and 5 km refer to the large regional scale, whereas smaller ranges of few hundreds down to a few tens of meters, can be attributed to the local (site) scale. In addition, the precision of the measuring campaigns, performed within USIR with different sampling densities, was compared through the analysis of the spatial variability of the soil magnetic susceptibility signal by using ordinary kriging. jarek97@yahoo.com, piotr.fabijanczyk@is.pw.edu.pl     

First results from the plasma composition spectrometer PROMICS-3 in the Interball project

PROMICS-3 is a plasma experiment flown in the Russian project Interball. It performs three-dimensional (3D) measurements of ions in the energy range 4 eV–70 keV with mass separation and of electrons in the energy range 12 eV–35 keV. The Interball project consists of two main satellites, the Tail Probe and the Auroral Probe, each with one subsatellite. The Interball Tail Probe was launched on 3 August 1995, into a 65° inclination orbit with apogee at about 30 R_E. Both main satellites carry identical PROMICS-3 instruments and thus direct comparisons of the particle distributions will be possible once the Auroral Probe is launched. Furthermore, PROMICS-3-Tail is the first instrument measuring the 3D ion distribution function in the magnetospheric boundary layers at high latitudes. In this paper we describe the PROMICS-3 instrument and show initial results from the Tail probe, measurements of the mag-netosheath, plasma sheet, and ring current plasmas.     

Magnetic susceptibility mapping of the Cambrian El Hongo pluton,Eastern Sierras Pampeanas,Argentina

A map of bulk magnetic susceptibility was obtained on El Hongo trondhjemite, a small Cambrian pluton intruding the metamorphic basement in Eastern Sierras Pampeanas, Argentina, based on systematic magnetic susceptibility measurement at 450 sites using a SM30 susceptibility meter. Samples were collected on 58 sites and their bulk magnetic susceptibility was measured in laboratory with a Bartington MS2 system. Point-to-point comparison showed differences, that were attributed to the effect of roughness of the surveyed surfaces, and to the development of a weathered cap. However, the difference was systematic and in accordance with expected values predicted by manufacturer tables, whereby, once corrected with the appropriate factor, the obtained values with SM30 susceptibility meter were regarded as representative of fresh rocks. The resulting map was interpreted in terms of variation in abundance of magnetite, which is present in the rocks as a magmatic mineral, altered to hematite (martitized) in varying degrees. The map revealed that El Hongo trondhjemite is a weakly magnetic pluton, with a typical bulk susceptibility of about 500 × 10^?6 SI, which would correspond to an abundance of magnetite below 0.2 vol%, but with conspicuous variations. Lows in the outer sector and in the vicinity of metamorphic xenoliths were interpreted as due to destruction of magnetic minerals linked to reactions between magma and host rock. A distinct concentric pattern in the western area could indicate the presence of a separate intrusion. Finally, alternate highs and lows in susceptibility follow the undulations in regional schistosity, which in turn would have controlled the emplacement of the pluton. Thus we provide a good example of the utility of magnetic susceptibility mapping in granitoid terrains, as an expeditious way for preliminary mapping that could guide further and more detailed research.     

Magnetic methods in tracing soil erosion,Kharkov Region,Ukraine

Magnetic measurements of soils are an effective research tool in assessing soil erosion. This approach is based on detecting layers showing different magnetic properties in vertical soil profiles and lateral catenas. The objective of this research is to compile data on magnetic susceptibility (MS) of soils in Eastern Ukraine to assess the soil erosion rates. The chernozems of Tcherkascy Tishki (Kharkov Region, Ukraine) have undergone a field crop rotation without proper soil conservation technologies being applied. We conducted an intrinsic element grouping of the magnetic susceptibility values and demonstrated that they can be used as MS cartograms in soil erosion mapping. The study showed a strong correlation between the MS values and the erosion index. MS and the erosion index were found to correlate with the humus content. Magnetic mineralogical analyses suggest the presence of highly magnetic minerals (magnetite and maghemite) as well as weakly magnetic goethite, ferrihydrite, and hematite. Stable pseudosingle-domain (PSD), single-domain (SD), and superparamagnetic (SP) grains of pedogenic origin dominate in the studied chernozems. Being an effective, quick and low cost alternative, magnetic methods can be successfully used in the soil erosion investigations.     

Precision A.C. bridge set for measuring magnetic susceptibility of rocks and its anisotropy

Summary A bridge set for measuring the magnetic susceptibility of rocks and its anisotropy is described. The classical transformer bridge has been supplemented with an auxiliary compensating arm for balancing the bridge without any mechanical infringement of the measuring coils. By employing this principle and the appropriate methods a sensitivityof 4 × 10 ^–8 SI units (3 × 10 ^–9 e.m.u./cm³) has been achieved for a sample of 8 cm³ in volume. In addition to its high sensitivity the device has a considerable accuracy, which makes it suitable for susceptibility anisotropy measurements even of samples with a very low susceptibility and only slight anisotropy. Well-reproducible results have been achieved for samples with a mean susceptibility of the order of10 ^–5 SI units with an anisotropy degree of only about 1.05.Institute of Applied Geophysics.     

中国第一批大地热流数据

本文叙述了观测大地热流的方法和仪器, 其中包括在钻孔中测定温度的半导体热敏电阻井温仪和在室内测定岩芯标本热导率的装置.给出了最近几年在华北地区11个地点的16个钻孔中取得的温度和热导率数据以及计算热流值的结果.初步讨论了热流值分布与本区复杂地质条件之间的关系, 如中国北部及东部地区热流值与世界同类型地质单元相比较具有较高值和较大分散性的可能解释.      

Efficacy of an In‐Well Sonde to Determine Magnetic Susceptibility of Aquifer Sediment

Magnetite is a natural component of many aquifers. Abiotic degradation of chlorinated solvents by magnetite can be an important mechanism for natural attenuation of these contaminants. The quantity of magnetite in aquifer materials can be estimated by measuring the magnetic susceptibility of the materials. This is most commonly done by determining the magnetic susceptibility of core samples in an analytical laboratory using a magnetic susceptibility meter. Unfortunately, the cost of acquiring core samples often makes an evaluation of abiotic degradation by magnetite economically unrealistic. Downhole sondes (probes) are available for the determination of magnetic susceptibility. In this study, a downhole sonde was evaluated as an affordable alternative to acquiring and analyzing core samples. The sonde was introduced into 10 monitoring wells. The data from the sonde were then compared to data from core samples that were collected from the same elevation as the sonde data. The core samples analyzed in the laboratory were used as the standard against which the sonde data were compared. The downhole sonde reported values that were similar to values reported on core samples. At most wells, the means of the two measurements could not be distinguished at the 95% confidence interval. When the means could be distinguished, they still agreed within a factor of two.     

用旋转式磁化率仪和卡帕桥对岩样磁组构的比测

磁化率各向异性(AMS)是岩石的普遍特性,它反映岩石磁性矿物的择优取向,即磁组构(Magnetic fabric).近三十年来,磁组构技术逐渐应用于地质和地球物理学,显示广阔的研究前景.测量磁组构的仪器有多种,原理不一,故有必要用同一样品在不同原理的仪器上进行比测,以便确认数据的一致性和可靠性.用黄土、变质岩、玄武岩及掺有铁粉的断层泥制成正方体或圆柱体样品,在卡帕桥(KLY-1和KLY-2)和旋转式磁化率仪(Minisep)上进行比测发现:(1)前者的精度(即重复性)在多数情况下优于后者;2)用旋转式磁化率仪测量之前,必须先测得样品z轴的体磁化率,其标定值取决于厂家在标准样品上标示的数值及被测样品与标准样品的相对体积.就旋转样品测量AMS而言,其标定值应为z轴体磁化率测量标定值的一半.      

On the prediction of relativistic electron fluence based on its relationship with geomagnetic activity over a solar cycle

A study has been carried out to determine the relationship between high energy relativistic (>2 MeV) electron fluence and auroral zone geomagnetic activity for a solar cycle. Data for 1987–1997, spanning Solar Cycle 22, were used in the study. The relativistic electron fluence data were based on fluxes observed by the GOES geosynchronous satellites. The geomagnetic data were the DRX indices derived from a Canadian magnetic observatory located in the auroral zone at Fort Churchill, near the footprint of field lines passing through geostationary satellites. This work, based on data from a solar cycle, confirms earlier findings using limited data from segments of a solar cycle of enhancement in fluence 2–3 days after increases in geomagnetic activity, and shows the cycle dependence of fluence with respect to geomagnetic activity. This study underlines the influence of recurrent coronal holes on fluence level as well as the possible role of Pc5 magnetic pulsations as an electron acceleration mechanism, and highlights the predictability of fluence from ground geomagnetic data. A fluence prediction algorithm can now solely be based on derived expressions relating fluence and DRX. Thus, a simple fluence prediction scheme can easily be implemented to provide a 2–3 day advance warning of space weather conditions hazardous to geosynchronous satellites, since during days of high fluence, the likelihood of internal charging in a satellite is high, with possible discharges that could result in satellite operational anomalies. For verification purpose, daily values of fluence for 1997–2000 and for January 1994 were postcast using the derived expressions. The postcast values were validated, and the results give credence to the fluence prediction scheme.     

Multiple origins and interpretations of the magnetic susceptibility signal in Chinese wind-blown sediments

In most Chinese loess–paleosol sequences, high magnetic susceptibility values are found in the soil horizons, with low values in the loess layers. The susceptibility signal has been widely used as a proxy climatic indicator. However, both the causes and mechanisms which control susceptibility still remain controversial. Our recent studies challenge some earlier interpretations of the magnetic susceptibility signal in Chinese wind-blown sediments. First, the prevailing hypothesis of pedogenic origin cannot totally account for the susceptibility variations in many sections. Second, in some cases, the principal carrier of the magnetization seems not to be the ultrafine pedogenic minerals, rather coarse lithogenic magnetic minerals derived from local sources can also contribute significantly to the susceptibility signal. Finally, not all the Chinese soils have higher susceptibility values than that of loess or sand layers, opposite relationships do exist. It is concluded that the source and causes of susceptibility may be different from site to site or even at different times at a given site. Any single hypothesis cannot completely account for the susceptibility variations in the Chinese Loess Plateau and its surrounding regions. Besides the previous explanations of carbonate leaching, pedogenic processes and organic decomposition, the contribution of source materials to magnetic susceptibility must also be taken into account.     

杭州城区土壤的磁性与磁性矿物学及其环境意义

对杭州城区四个不同功能区块土壤进行了系统的环境磁学测定,结果表明城市土壤的磁化率平均值为128×10^-8m³·kg^-1,频率磁化率平均值3.6%(样品数=182),城市土壤呈现明显的磁性增强. 城市土壤的磁化率与频率磁化率呈极显著指数负相关,表明城市土壤磁性增强明显区别于自然成土过程引起的以超顺磁性(SP)颗粒为主的表土磁性增强机理. 统计分析表明,城市土壤磁化率与软剩磁和饱和等温剩磁(SIRM)呈显著直线正相关,说明亚铁磁性矿物是城市土壤剩余磁性的主要载体. 综合等温剩磁获得曲线、热磁曲线、磁滞回线等岩石磁学测定和SEM/EDX分析,城市土壤的磁性矿物以磁铁矿和赤铁矿为主,磁性矿物以假单畴-多畴（PSD-MD）颗粒存在,粒度明显大于成土过程形成的磁性颗粒,这些磁性颗粒主要来自燃料燃烧、汽车尾气等环境污染物. 因此,城市土壤磁测可作为城市土壤污染监测、污染空间分布和污染物来源判断的新手段.     

Measurement of magnetic properties of steel sheets

Magnetic methods are used in detection of environmental, engineering and military objects fabricated of thin ferromagnetic sheets having volume susceptibilities higher than 100 SI units. Magnetic modelling of such objects would be advantageous, but it requires knowledge of the susceptibility and remanence values of sheet materials, which is scarce. We introduce a magnetometer method for the determination of susceptibility and remanence on thin steel samples. The area of the sample must be so large that its within-sheet magnetization remains below the saturation state. The measurements are made in normal office surroundings in the Earth's magnetic field with an ordinary fluxgate magnetometer. The square-shaped sheet samples measured in this work have an edge length of 17.5 cm and a thickness in the range 0.5–1.0 mm. During the measuring procedure the sample is placed in four positions on a subvertical measurement board. For each position, the magnetic field in the dip direction of the board plane is measured on the opposite sides of the sample. The secondary field values are averaged for each sample position in order to reduce the effect of sample inhomogeneities. With these data, the susceptibility and remanence of the sample in its edge directions are then determined, based on a model curve which is calculated numerically using thin-sheet integral equations. The susceptibilities measured for different steel types (cold rolled and hot-dip zinc-coated steel sheets) varied in the range 200–500 SI units, and the remanence varied in the range 1000–20 000 A/m. No systematic differences were observed between the magnetic properties of various steel types. The repeatability of the susceptibility measurements was good (variations < 5%) but the remanence could be changed by 50% between repeated determinations. The measured susceptibility range signifies that pieces of steel with a typical thickness of 0.5 mm remain below magnetic saturation when their edge dimension is larger than 5 cm. Therefore magnetic modelling of larger steel pieces must be made using the thin-sheet theory with known magnetic properties, whereas smaller saturated pieces can be alternatively modelled as an equipotential system.