Abstract The normalized vertical derivative of the total horizontal derivative method is a potential field interpretation method based on combination of horizontal and vertical derivatives,highlighting linear structure by calculating the total horizontal derivative of the vertical features or rock geological boundary.With the metal ore resources in Xiangshan District of Zhongwei City in Ningxia and the distribution of nonmetallic mineral resources areas as the study objects,the utilization of this method can distinguish between rock mass and geological plane range clearly,and determine the location of the maximum value of the rock mass through the boundary position and level distribution.The results show that the method of normalizing the total horizontal derivative and vertical derivative can qualitatively explain the distribution range of rock mass and thus has fairly good application effect.
