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A substantial time-dependent disturbance of the geomagnetic field driven by space-weather conditions. Rapid irregular changes can degrade a magnetic survey even after base correction.

Lead author of Magnetic Anomaly and Model of the Lonar Meteorite Impact Crater in Maharashtra, India by Kalle Kiik and others, a primary magnetic survey and modelling study.

Collect a magnetic survey along the traverse with a calibrated total-field magnetometer, recording time, accurately surveyed position and sensor height. Extend observations beyond the crater to establish the background, repeat stations or tie lines to test consistency, and use a stationary base-station magnetometer to monitor temporal field changes. Keep the instrument away from vehicles, fences and magnetic equipment; map unavoidable cultural sources rather than treating them as geological signals.

Correct instrument offsets and heading effects where applicable, remove measured diurnal variation, reject or separately treat magnetic-storm intervals, and subtract the appropriate large-scale geomagnetic field at the survey epoch. Level overlapping traverses and state whether a local regional trend has also been removed. Unlike gravity, there is no universal rock-independent Bouguer correction for magnetic topography: a magnetic topographic effect needs a model of terrain and magnetization.

Measure representative magnetic susceptibility and remanent magnetization on oriented rock samples to interpret the profile. Total field alone does not tell whether a contrast comes from induced or remanent magnetization, crater excavation, or strongly magnetic material in the infill.

Lay out a surveyed grid extending beyond the possible burial area into unaffected ground. Use closely spaced parallel traverses with measurements along each line; spacing should resolve a car-scale magnetic anomaly, with a finer grid over any candidate. For a shallow car, a pilot survey with roughly metre-scale spacing is a sensible starting point, refined according to anomaly width rather than treated as a universal prescription. Record position, time, sensor height, repeat readings and any nearby interference. Cross-lines and repeat stations check reproducibility. Maintain a constant sensor height on a nonmagnetic staff and remove magnetic items from the operator; map fences, gates, pipes, buildings and vehicles before interpreting an anomaly.

Operate a synchronized stationary base-station magnetometer in quiet ground while the rover surveys, or make frequent base returns if a second instrument is unavailable. A total-field magnetic anomaly is the corrected field magnitude minus a specified background:For a field-sized target, a local background estimated away from the car is often sufficient. A larger regional survey may subtract the International Geomagnetic Reference Field and an independently justified regional trend. Do not remove the car's broad anomaly by overfitting that trend.

Correct rover observations for time-varying geomagnetic field using the base record, for example $F_c(\mathbf{x},t)=F_r(\mathbf{x},t)-[F_b(t)-F_b(t_0)]$. Check instrument offsets and tie-line differences, reject disturbed or poor-quality readings, and allow for differing sensor heights. Preserve localized target signals when interpolating a contour map or comparing with a magnetic dipole model. There are no compulsory gravity-style free-air or Bouguer gravity anomaly reductions for this magnetic search.

Postpone surveying during a geomagnetic storm or rapid irregular magnetic variation, when base correction may be inadequate. Avoid periods of moving farm machinery or electrical interference, and recognize that strong permanent cultural interference or highly magnetic host rock may make this particular method unsuitable. Ordinary cloud cover or darkness does not prevent a magnetic survey.^[ref]