Empirical Determination of the Gravity Anomaly Covariance Function in Mountainous Areas

1980 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 251-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerard Lachapelle ◽  
K. P. Schwarz
Keyword(s):  
Gravity Anomaly ◽  
Covariance Function ◽  
Physical Geodesy ◽  
Gravity Anomalies ◽  
Mountainous Areas ◽  
The North ◽  
Regression Parameters ◽  
Free Air ◽  
Vening Meinesz ◽  
Free Air Gravity

An evaluation of the empirical gravity anomaly covariance function using over 95 000 surface gravity anomalies in the North American Western Cordillera was carried out. A regression analysis of the data exhibits a strong and quasi-linear correlation of free air gravity anomalies with heights. This height correlation is removed from the free air anomalies prior to the numerical evaluation of the gravity anomaly covariance function. This covariance function agrees well with that evaluated previously by the authors for the remainder of Canada. A possible use for such a covariance function of ‘height independent’ gravity anomalies in mountainous areas is described. First, the height independent gravity anomaly at a point of known height is evaluated by least squares prediction using neighboring measured height independent gravity anomalies. Secondly, the part caused by the height correlation is calculated using linear regression parameters estimated previously and added to the predicted height independent gravity anomaly to obtain a predicted standard free air anomaly. This technique can be used to densify the coverage of free air anomalies for subsequent use in integral formulas of physical geodesy, e.g., those of Stokes and Vening Meinesz. This method requires that point topographic heights be given on a grid.

scholarly journals Usporedba različitih pristupa Bouguer-ove redukcije na temelju satelitskih gravimetrijskih podataka

Geofizika ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 237-261
Author(s):  
Fan Luo ◽  
Xin Tao ◽  
Guangming Fu ◽  
Chong Zhang ◽  
Kun Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gravity Anomaly ◽  
Gravity Data ◽  
Gravity Anomalies ◽  
Gravitational Effect ◽  
Seismic Profile ◽  
Bouguer Gravity ◽  
Seismic Profiles ◽  
Satellite Gravity ◽  
Free Air ◽  
Free Air Gravity

Satellite gravity data are widely used in the field of geophysics to study deep structures at the regional and global scales. These data comprise free-air gravity anomaly data, which usually need to be corrected to a Bouguer gravity anomaly for practical application. Bouguer reduction approaches can be divided into two methods based on the coordinate system: the spherical coordinates method (SBG) and the Cartesian coordinates method; the latter is further divided into the CEBG and CBG methods, which do and do not include the Earth’s curvature correction. In this paper, free-air gravity anomaly data from the eastern Tibetan Plateau and its adjacent areas were used as the basic data to compare the CBG, CEBG, and SBG Bouguer gravity correction methods. The comparison of these three Bouguer gravity correction methods shows that the effect of the Earth’s curvature on the gravitational effect increases with increasing elevation in the study area. We want to understand the inversion accuracy for the data obtained by different Bouguer gravity reduction approaches. The depth distributions of the Moho were obtained by the interface inversion of the Bouguer gravity anomalies obtained by the CBG, CEBG, and SBG, and active seismic profiles were used as references for comparison and evaluation. The results show that the depths of the Moho obtained by the SBG inversion are more consistent with the measured seismic profile depths. Therefore, the SBG method is recommended as the most realistic approach in the process of global or regional research employing gravity data.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the BGM-3 sea gravity meter system onboard R/V Conrad

Geophysics ◽  
1986 ◽  
Vol 51 (7) ◽  
pp. 1480-1493 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin E. Bell ◽  
A. B. Watts
Keyword(s):  
Gravity Anomaly ◽  
Gravity Data ◽  
Gravity Anomalies ◽  
Test Range ◽  
Free Air ◽  
Marine Gravity ◽  
Abrupt Changes ◽  
Spring Type ◽  
Free Air Gravity ◽  
Free Air Anomaly

The first Bell Aerospace BGM-3 Marine Gravity Meter System available for academic use was installed on R/V Robert D. Conrad in February, 1984. The BGM-3 system consists of a forced feedback accelerometer mounted on a gyrostabilized platform. Its sensor (requiring no cross‐coupling correction) is a significant improvement over existing beam and spring‐type sea gravimeters such as the GSS-2. A gravity survey over the Wallops Island test range together with the results of subsequent cruises allow evaluation of the precision, accuracy, and capabilities of the new system. Over the test range, the BGM-3 data were compared directly to data obtained by a GSS-2 meter onboard R/V Conrad. The rms discrepancy between free‐air gravity anomaly values at intersecting ship tracks of R/V Conrad was ±0.38 mGal for BGM-3 compared to ±1.60 mGal for the GSS-2. Moreover, BGM-3’s platform recovered from abrupt changes in ship’s heading more rapidly than did the platform of GSS-2. The principal factor limiting the accuracy of sea gravity data is navigation. Over the test range, where navigation was by Loran C and transit satellite, a two‐step filtering of the ship’s velocity and position was required to obtain an optimal Eötvös correction. A spectral analysis of 1 minute values of the Eötvös correction and the reduced free‐air gravity anomaly determined the filter characteristics. To minimize the coherence between the Eötvös and free‐air anomaly, it was necessary to prefilter the ship’s position and velocity. Using this procedure, reduced free‐air gravity anomalies with wavelengths as small as a few kilometers can be resolved.

The Nares Strait gravity anomaly and its implications for crustal structure

1985 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 1322-1328 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. R. Jackson ◽  
L. Koppen
Keyword(s):  
Gravity Anomaly ◽  
Sedimentary Rocks ◽  
Ellesmere Island ◽  
North American Plate ◽  
Nares Strait ◽  
The North ◽  
Free Air ◽  
Plate Reconstructions ◽  
Free Air Gravity ◽  
East West

A negative free-air gravity anomaly is associated with Nares Strait, the waterway that separates Ellesmere Island and Greenland. Two east–west gravity profiles that cross Ellesmere Island and Nares Strait were collected. A low with values in the range of −100 to −120 mGal (−1000 to −1200 μm/s2) was observed, and two-dimensional crustal models were created to identify the cause of the anomaly. The gravity anomaly cannot be attributed wholly to the bathymetry of the strait or to the sedimentary rocks underlying the strait. Crustal models that reproduce the anomaly have a M discontinuity that slopes under Nares Strait towards Ellesmere Island so that the crust beneath Ellesmere Island is thickened. The anomaly is similar to those associated with ancient and modern suture zones, regions of collided continental crust. Plate reconstructions suggest Nares Strait is a collisional boundary between the North American Plate (Ellesmere Island) and the Greenland Plate. The gravity anomaly supports this interpretation of Nares Strait.

scholarly journals DETERMINATION AND MAPPING OF THE TERRESTRIAL GRAVITY ANOMALIES IN THE MOUNTAINOUS AREAS OF IRAQ

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (24) ◽  
pp. 213-225
Author(s):  
Shazad Jamal Jalal ◽  
Tajul Ariffin Musa ◽  
Ami Hassan Md Din ◽  
Wan Anom Wan Aris
Keyword(s):  
Gravity Data ◽  
Physical Geodesy ◽  
Gravity Anomalies ◽  
Gravity Survey ◽  
Mountainous Areas ◽  
Entire Study ◽  
Terrestrial Gravity ◽  
The Past ◽  
Regional Gravity ◽  
Entire Study Area

Gravity data and computing gravity anomalies are regarded as vital for both geophysics and physical geodesy fields. The mountainous areas of Iraq are characterized by the lack of regional gravity data because gravity surveys are rarely performed in the past four decades due to the Iraq-Iran war and the internal unstable political situation of this particular region. In addition, the formal map of the available terrestrial gravity which was published by the French Database of Bureau Gravimetrique International (International Gravimetric Bureau-in English) (BGI), introduces Iraq and the study area as a remote area and in white color because of the unavailability of gravity data. However, a dense and local (not regional) gravity data is available which was conducted by geophysics researchers 13 years ago. Therefore, the regional gravity survey of 160 gravity points was performed by the authors at an average 11 km apart, which was covers the whole area of Sulaymaniyah Governorate (part of the mountainous areas of Iraq). In spite of Although the risk of mine fields within the study area, suitable safe routes as well as a helicopter was used for the gravity survey of several points on the top of mountains. The survey was conducted via Lacoste and Romberg geodetic gravimeter and GPS handheld. The objective of the study is to determine and map the gravity anomalies for the entire study area, the data of which would assist different geosciences applications.

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