Bike Magnetics

Low-cost magnetic data collection

Measuring Earth's magnetic field on a bike

Understanding subsurface geology is crucial for groundwater, earthquake propagation, and ore studies. Since it’s impossible to dig everywhere and examine the rocks we record variations in their magnetic signal from the surface. The cheapest method is by walking with sensors, but it only covers small sites. Our design records data while riding a bicycle, enabling regional coverage for fewer expenses and exposure of science in practice to people of all ages and backgrounds.

Schattner, U., Segev, A., Mikhailov, V., Rybakov, M. and Lyakhovsky, V., 2022. Detailed Regional Magnetic Mapping on a Bike, A Case Study from Northern Israel. Pure and Applied Geophysics. doi.org/10.1007/s00024-022-03100-1

Segev, A., Reznik, I. J., and Schattner, U., 2022. Miocene to sub-Recent magmatism at the intersection between the Dead Sea Transform and the Ash Shaam volcanic field: evidence from the Yarmouk River gorge and vicinity. Geological Magazine, 159(4), 469-493. doi.org/10.1017/S0016756821001072

Schattner, U., Segev, A., Mikhailov, V., Rybakov, M. and Lyakhovsky, V., 2019. ‎Magnetic signature of ‎the Kinneret–Kinarot tectonic basin ‎along the Dead Sea Transform, ‎northern Israel‎‎. ‎Pure and Applied Geophysics 1‏‎-‎‏17‏‎, doi.org/10.1007/s00024-019-02211-6‎

Schattner, U., 2017. A bike built for magnetic mapping, Eos, 98, https://doi.org/10.1029/2017 EO071943. Published on 25 April 2017.

2022: Magnetic mapping of northern Israel and surroundings - completed! The total is 5,000 km of magnetic data covering 10,620 sq km. Follow this link to read the publication, and download the maps and data.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00024-022-03100-1

About bike-mag

Walking is the simplest, cheapest, and most widely used method for collecting magnetic field data. Its efficiency, however, is limited. During measurements, the surveyor walks along pre-planned routes while carrying the sensors. Typically, data coverage is around 10-12 km per day.

To increase the efficiency of data collection we fixed the components of the magnetometer (Overhauser Magnetometer – GEM GSM-19) on a polypropylene framework of pipes, anchored to an aluminum-framed hard-tail mountain bike. This combination of materials provides a robust, non-magnetic platform that maintains the sensors at a constant height above ground during the entire survey. The framework of triangles is flexible enough to absorb shocks during the ride in various velocities. This allows to collecting data along paved and dirt roads as well as along off-road single tracks. We collect 30-60 km of data per day, depending on the conditions.

Most of the acquisition was carried out downhill at speeds of 15-45 km per hour. An accompanying vehicle transferred the bike and gear from the base of every hill to the top of the following one. The second stage showed that the bike-mag offers a cheap, simple and efficient solution that requires a minimal investment – during data acquisition, transport of the gear and repairments. Recently we passed the 1000 km of data collection.

Thanks for visiting our site,

Uri, Amit, Vladimir and Michael – BikeMag team

Prof. Uri Schattner – rider, developer, geophysicist, University of Haifa

Dr. Amit Segev – geologist, Geological survey of Israel

Dr. Vladimir Lyakhovsky – geophysicist, Geological survey of Israel

Dr. Michael Rybakov – geophysicist, Geophysical survey of Israel