Spatial integration of fry and fractal analyses in regional exploration: A case study from Bafq–Posht-e-Badam, Irán

Abstract

This research examines the fractal and fry analysis which are implemented as complementary methods to evaluate <br><br>their efficiency as regional exploration tools. The disadvantage of the “Box-counting” method lies in its inadequacy <br><br>in dealing with low numbers of point data sets. Attempts have been made to use spatial integration of airborne <br><br>geophysical data to turn this method into a useful tool for detecting mineral occurences.<br><br>According to the mineralization trends, results from Fry analysis using the rose diagram of the faults within the <br><br>area, have confirmed field observations concerning structurally controlled mineral occurences. This suggests that <br><br>the fractal dimension in the \\'Box-counting\\' method must be similar for both mineralization points and fault lines, <br><br>but that is not the case for the study area. Furthermore, the \\'number-in-circle\\' method has been applied to check the <br><br>anomaly points, whose fractal dimension corresponds to that of the fault lines in the \\'Box-counting\\' method. The <br><br>difference between fractal dimensions of mineralization points and those of fault systems lies in the low number <br><br>of recognized occurrences. This issue can serve as an exploration key in leading to some promising areas that need <br><br>more complementary research, as well as underground survey. The significance of airborne geophysical survey in <br><br>iron deposits mapping and prospecting is in providing valuable information for a better understanding of the spatial <br><br>pattern of mineralization as well as in showing exploration targets within new high-priority areas, and in providing <br><br>a useful technique to develop spatial data modeling for regional exploration.