Interpretation of gravity

data

Local and Regional Gravity Anomalies

The gravitational acceleration produced

by large-scale features is referred to as
theRegional Gravity Anomaly.
That portion of the observed gravitational
acceleration associated with smaller-scale
structures is referred to as theLocalor
theResidual Gravity Anomaly.

 Bouguer Anomaly maps contain:

Regional anomaly: long wavelength
features due to deep crustal features
Residual anomaly:short wavelength
anomalies due to shallow structures
Residual must be separated for
interpretation.

Separating Local and Regional Gravity Anomalies

1. Direct Estimates - These are estimates of the
regional gravity anomaly determined from an
independent data set.
For example, if your gravity survey is conducted
within the continential US, gravity observations
collected at relatively large station spacings are
available from theNational Geophyiscal Data Center.
Using these observations, you can determine how the
long-wavelength gravity field varies around your
survey and then remove its contribution from your
data.

 2. Mathematical Estimates - This

represents any of a wide variety of
methods for determining the regional
gravity contribution from the collected
data through the use of mathematical
procedures.
a) Moving Averages
b) Filtering and Upward Continuation
c) Function Fitting

Effects of burial depth on the

recorded gravity anomaly

 The more shallowly buried cylinder

produces a large anomaly that is
confined to a region of the profile
directly above the cylinder.
The more deeply buried cylinder
produces a gravity anomaly of
smaller amplitude that is spread over
more of the length of the profile.

Calculating Gravity Anomalies of

Simple Bodies
Gravity anomaly of a body can be
calculated by summing contribution
of its component elements using
computer.
For simple bodies, anomaly can be
calculated simply:
Sphere or Point Mass

Gravity Anomaly Over a Buried Point Mass

 Gravitational acceleration due to apoint

mass is:

whereGis thegravitational constant

mis themassof the point mass,
andris the distance between the point
mass and our observation point

Gravity Anomaly Over a Buried Sphere

Infinite Slab

,where d is the thickness

Infinite Horizontal Cylinder

Vertical Cylinder

Narrow Vertical
Cylinder

Gravity Anomalies of Spheres and

Cylinders

Gravity interpretation
1. Direct interpretation
2. Indirect interpretation

 Direct Interpretation: Inverse

method
assume general class of model (e.g.,
buried sphere)
analyze anomaly (anomalies) to
define specific model

Depth Estimation by Half-Width

Method
Using the formulae for the anomalies
due to various bodies, it is posible to
estimate the limiting depth of a body.
Limiting depthis maximum depth at
which top of body could occur to
produce anomaly. (Body could be
shallower).

Half-Width Method
Half-width, X1/2,
is the distance
from the centre
of an anomaly at
which amplitude
has decreased to
half
its
peak
value.

 If anomaly isspherical:
If anomaly ishorizontal cylinder:
If anomaly isvertical cylinder:
If anomaly isthin steeply dipping sheet:

Depth Estimation by GradientAmplitude Method

Can
obtain
estimates
of
limiting
depth
from maximum
slope also.

 If value of maximum slope,Dgmax,

estimated:
For 3-D body:

For 2-D body:

Application to Salt Domes

 Indirect Interpretation: Forward

modelling
1. assume specific initial subsurface density
model
2. calculate gravity (always do-able, at least
numerically)
3. compare with data
4. adjust density model as necessary
5. repeat steps 2 through 4