Inversion of Geomagnetic Anomalies Caused by Ore Masses Using Hunger Games Search Algorithm

Geomagnetic anomaly interpretation through inversion procedures often yields useful results in determining the key details of ore masses. However, the problem is complicated due to the known ambiguous phenomena of the inversion process. Thus, details such as location, depth and shape can only be estimated using an efficient algorithm. To this end, we presented here a novel global optimization algorithm called Hunger Games Search (HGS) for the inversion of geomagnetic anomalies caused by ore masses. HGS is a well-organized metaheuristic inspired by the hunger-driven instincts and social behavioral decisions of animals. This is the first work in the literature to introduce this optimizer for the inversion of geophysical anomalies. We revealed the model parameter dependencies and the optimum control parameter values of the algorithm by performing some modal analyses and parameter tuning studies, respectively. The capability of HGS was demonstrated on synthetically produced geomagnetic responses and on three real anomalies obtained from some exploration fields in India and the USA. Uncertainty appraisal studies showed the solidity of the outputs of the algorithm. Moreover, some comparative studies with the fine-tuned standard Particle Swarm Optimization, a commonly used tool for the inversion of geophysical anomalies, indicated that HGS algorithm provides better results in terms of convergence characteristics and solution stabilities in the presented inverse problem. We therefore recommend the use of this metaheuristic in model parameter estimation studies when dealing with this kind of geophysical potential field problems.