magnetometer question

[Stroover]

Do magnetometers only detect magnetic metals?

[Stroover]

So, if a fella wanted to use such a device for treasure hunting around wrecks that have been smashed and scattered over the last couple hundred years by the force of storm waves on the ocean shore, at best he would probably only find metalic pieces of the ship, but not gold or silver treasure, right? And if this same fella already knew where a ship(s) went down off a reef, but all that remains are scattered fragments of wood and metal of many ships all over the place on the surface and beneath the sand in an area the size of a couple douzen football fields or so, such an investment would not really do him much good, would it? Would you recommend some sort of underwater towed-type of metal detector instead, one that could cover a wide area?

[riobravo]

hi stroover,
it is true that magnetometers detect ferrous metals, but it is also noted that many things can affect an areas magnetic readings such as large amounts of baked clay or bricks, and more of interest ballast piles, there is quite a bit of technology present that can make a magnetometer survey of great use when starting any project of such nature.