A Hybrid PCG- Bat Algorithm for 2D Gravity Inversion: Applications for Ore Deposits Exploration and Interpretation of Sedimentary Basins

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Abdrabou ◽  
Maha Abdelazeem ◽  
Mohamed Gobashy
Keyword(s):  
Conjugate Gradient ◽  
Hybrid Algorithm ◽  
2D Gravity ◽  
Gravity Data ◽  
Gravity Anomalies ◽  
Sedimentary Basins ◽  
Bat Algorithm ◽  
Ore Deposits ◽  
Preconditioned Conjugate Gradient ◽  
Residual Gravity

<p>Geophysical data such as gravity data can be inverted to get a subsurface image, which depicts the subsurface distribution of physical property. Consequently, inversion of geophysical data has an effective role for interpreting measured geophysical anomalies in hydrocarbons and mineral applications. Interest about ore deposits exploration and sedimentary basins interpretation is associated with their economic importance. The presence of sedimentary basins gives lower amplitude of gravity anomalies with negative signals, due to the negative density contrast as these sedimentary basins have lower density than that of the neighboring basement rocks. In prospecting ore deposits, studying the spatial distributions of densities in the subsurface is essential of significance.Two dimensional forward modelling strategy can be done via locating the rectangular cells with fixed size directly underneath the location of the observed data points using regular grid discretization. Density vector of the subsurface rectangular cells are obtained via solving the 2D gravity inverse problem by optimizing an objective function (i.e., the differences between observed and inverted residual gravity data sets). In this work, a hybrid algorithm merging a bat (BAT) algorithm with the preconditioned conjugate gradient (PCG) method is suggested as a mean for inverting surface gravity anomalies to obtain the density distribution in the subsurface. Like the hybrid, minimization algorithm has the capability to make use of the advantages of both two techniques. In this hybrid algorithm, the BAT algorithm was utilized to construct an initial solution for the PCG technique. The BAT optimizer acts as a rapid build-up of the model, whereas the second modifies the finer model approximated solution. This modern algorithm was firstly applied on a free-noise synthetic data and to a noisy data with three different levels of random noise, and good results obtained through the inversion. The validity and applicability of our algorithm are applied to real residual gravity anomalies across the San Jacinto graben in southern California, USA, and Sierra Mayor - Sierra Pinta graben, USA and prospecting of the Poshi Cu-Ni deposits, Xinjiang, northwest China. The obtained results are in excellent accordance with those produced by researchers in the published literature.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Keywords: </strong>Gravity data, 2D Inversion, BAT algorithm, Preconditioned Conjugate Gradient, Sedimentary Basins.</p>

Gravity interpretation using Fourier transforms and simple geometrical models with exponential density contrast

Geophysics ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 58 (8) ◽  
pp. 1074-1083 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Bhaskara Rao ◽  
M. J. Prakash ◽  
N. Ramesh Babu
Keyword(s):  
Los Angeles ◽  
Fourier Transforms ◽  
Gravity Data ◽  
Gravity Anomalies ◽  
Sedimentary Basins ◽  
Density Contrast ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Exponential Density ◽  
Exponential Density Contrast ◽  
Gravity Interpretation

The decrease of density contrast in sedimentary basins can often be approximated by an exponential function. Theoretical Fourier transforms are derived for symmetric trapezoidal, vertical fault, vertical prism, syncline, and anticline models. This is desirable because there are no equivalent closed form solutions in the space domain for these models combined with an exponential density contrast. These transforms exhibit characteristic minima, maxima, and zero values, and hence graphical methods have been developed for interpretation of model parameters. After applying end corrections to improve the discrete transforms of observed gravity data, the transforms are interpreted for model parameters. This method is first tested on two synthetic models, then applied to gravity anomalies over the San Jacinto graben and Los Angeles basin.

CHART TO CHECK ELEVATION FACTOR EFFECTS ON GRAVITY ANOMALIES

Geophysics ◽  
1957 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 643-645 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. F. Ivanhoe
Keyword(s):  
Basic Assumption ◽  
Gravity Data ◽  
Gravity Anomalies ◽  
Topographic Feature ◽  
Residual Gravity ◽  
Factor Effect ◽  
Surface Geology ◽  
Topographical Relief

The effect of varying surface densities on gravity anomalies is a more common problem in areas of topographical relief than is generally recognized. There is an unjustified tendency to assume that gravity maps are unique and final, even though one basic assumption (density of surface rocks) is inherent in all gravity maps. The use of incorrect elevation factors will produce gravity anomalies over any topographic feature. Both positive and negative gravity anomalies can be produced by either a topographic hill or valley depending on the degree of error in the elevation factor. These “elevation factor anomalies” are especially troublesome on residual gravity maps. The interpretation of gravity data should always include an analysis of the elevation factor effect as well as a study of the surface geology.

A least‐squares minimization approach to depth determination from moving average residual gravity anomalies

Geophysics ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 58 (12) ◽  
pp. 1779-1784 ◽  
Author(s):  
El‐Sayed M. Abdelrahman ◽  
Tarek M. El‐Araby
Keyword(s):  
Least Squares ◽  
Gravity Data ◽  
Moving Average ◽  
Gravity Anomalies ◽  
The United States ◽  
Random Errors ◽  
Minimization Method ◽  
Residual Gravity ◽  
Average Residual ◽  
Least Squares Minimization

We have developed a least‐squares minimization method to estimate the depth of a buried structure from moving average residual gravity anomalies. The method involves fitting simple models convolved with the same moving average filter as applied to the observed gravity data. As a result, our method can be applied not only to residuals but also to the Bouguer gravity data of a short profile length. The method is applied to synthetic data with and without random errors. The validity of the method is tested in detail on two field examples from the United States and Senegal.

4D gravity changes associated with the 2005 eruption of Sierra Negra volcano, Galápagos

Geophysics ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 73 (6) ◽  
pp. WA29-WA35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathalie Vigouroux ◽  
Glyn Williams-Jones ◽  
William Chadwick ◽  
Dennis Geist ◽  
Andres Ruiz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Melt Inclusion ◽  
Gravity Data ◽  
Mass Density ◽  
Remote Sensing Data ◽  
Gravity Anomalies ◽  
Gas Content ◽  
Residual Gravity ◽  
Caldera Floor ◽  
Sierra Negra Volcano ◽  
Sierra Negra

Sierra Negra volcano, the most voluminous shield volcano in the Galápagos archipelago and one of the largest basaltic calderas in the world, erupted on October 22, 2005 after more than [Formula: see text] of quiescence. GPS and satellite radar interferometry (InSAR) monitoring of the deformation of the caldera floor in the months prior to the eruption documented extraordinary inflation rates [Formula: see text]. The total amount of uplift recorded since monitoring began in 1992 approached [Formula: see text] at the center of the caldera over the eight days of the eruption the caldera floor deflated a maximum of 5 m and subsquently renewed its inflation, but at a decelerating rate. To gain insight into the nature of the subsurface mass/density changes associated with the deformation, gravity measurements performed in 2005, 2006, and 2007 are compared to previous measurements from 2001-2002 when the volcano underwent a period of minor deflation and magma withdrawal.The residual gravity decrease between 2001-2002 and 2005 is among the largest ever recorded atan active volcano (−950 μGal) and suggests that inflation was accompanied by a relative density decrease in the magmatic system. Forward modeling of the residual gravity data in 4D (from 2002 to 2005) gives an estimate of the amount of vesiculation in the shallow sill required to explain the observed gravity variations. Geochemical constraints from melt inclusion and satellite remote-sensing data allow us to estimate the pre-eruptive gas content of the magma and place constraints on the thickness of the gas-rich sill necessary to produce the gravity anomalies observed. Results suggest that reasonable sill thicknesses [Formula: see text] and bubble contents (10–50 volume %) can explain the large decrease in residual gravity prior to eruption. Following the eruption (2006 and 2007), the deformation and gravity patterns suggest re-equilibration of the pressure regime in the shallow magma system via a renewed influx of relatively gas-poor magma into the shallow parts of the system.

Stable inversion of gravity anomalies of sedimentary basins with nonsmooth basement reliefs and arbitrary density contrast variations

Geophysics ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 754-764 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valéria C. F. Barbosa ◽  
João B. C. Silva ◽  
Walter E. Medeiros
Keyword(s):  
Gravity Anomaly ◽  
Gravity Data ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Bouguer Anomaly ◽  
Gravity Anomalies ◽  
Sedimentary Basins ◽  
Upper And Lower Bounds ◽  
Density Contrast ◽  
Good Precision ◽  
Rift Basins

We present a new, stable method for interpreting the basement relief of a sedimentary basin which delineates sharp discontinuities in the basement relief and incorporates any law known a priori for the spatial variation of the density contrast. The subsurface region containing the basin is discretized into a grid of juxtaposed elementary prisms whose density contrasts are the parameters to be estimated. Any vertical line must intersect the basement relief only once, and the mass deficiency must be concentrated near the earth’s surface, subject to the observed gravity anomaly being fitted within the experimental errors. In addition, upper and lower bounds on the density contrast of each prism are introduced a priori (one of the bounds being zero), and the method assigns to each elementary prism a density contrast which is close to either bound. The basement relief is therefore delineated by the contact between the prisms with null and nonnull estimated density contrasts, the latter occupying the upper part of the discretized region. The method is stabilized by introducing constraints favoring solutions having the attributes (shared by most sedimentary basins) of being an isolated compact source with lateral borders dipping either vertically or toward the basin center and having horizontal dimensions much greater than its largest vertical dimension. Arbitrary laws of spatial variations of the density contrast, if known a priori, may be incorporated into the problem by assigning suitable values to the nonnull bound of each prism. The proposed method differs from previous stable methods by using no smoothness constraint on the interface to be estimated. As a result, it may be applied not only to intracratonic sag basins where the basement relief is essentially smooth but also to rift basins whose basements present discontinuities caused by faults. The method’s utility in mapping such basements was demonstrated in tests using synthetic data produced by simulated rift basins. The method mapped with good precision a sequence of step faults which are close to each other and present small vertical slips, a feature particularly difficult to detect from gravity data only. The method was also able to map isolated discontinuities with large vertical throw. The method was applied to the gravity data from Reco⁁ncavo basin, Brazil. The results showed close agreement with known geological structures of the basin. It also demonstrated the method’s ability to map a sequence of alternating terraces and structural lows that could not be detected just by inspecting the gravity anomaly. To demostrate the method’s flexibility in incorporating any a priori knowledge about the density contrast variation, it was applied to the Bouguer anomaly over the San Jacinto Graben, California. Two different exponential laws for the decrease of density contrast with depth were used, leading to estimated maximum depths between 2.2 and 2.4 km.

scholarly journals On the use of gravity data in delineating geologic features of interest for geothermal exploration in the Geneva Basin (Switzerland): prospects and limitations

2021 ◽  
Vol 114 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Guglielmetti ◽  
A. Moscariello
Keyword(s):  
Gravity Data ◽  
Gravity Anomalies ◽  
Sedimentary Basins ◽  
Structural Knowledge ◽  
Gravity Modelling ◽  
Geothermal Exploration ◽  
First Order ◽  
Geological Features ◽  
Subsurface Investigation ◽  
Potential Use

AbstractGravity data retrieved from the Bureau Gravimétrique International and the Gravimetric Atlas of Switzerland have been used to evaluate their applicability as a subsurface investigation tool to assess key geological features in support of the geothermal exploration in the Geneva Basin (GB). In this context, the application of an effective processing workflow able to produce reliable residual gravity anomalies was implemented as a crucial first step to investigate whether and to what level gravity anomalies can be correlated to geologic sources of geothermal interest. This study focusses on the processing workflow applied to publicly available gravity data, including the quantification of the uncertainty. This was then also used for first-order 2D forward gravity modelling. The resulting residual anomalies demonstrate the potential use of gravity investigations for geothermal exploration in sedimentary basins, and also reveal areas of significant, irreparable misfit, which calls for the use of complementary data and 3D subsurface structural knowledge. The results of such investigations will be presented in subsequent studies.

scholarly journals Depth and shape solutions from residual gravity anomalies due to simple geometric structures using a statistical approach

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
El-Sayed Abdelrahman ◽  
Mohamed Gobashy
Keyword(s):  
Gravity Data ◽  
Random Noise ◽  
Synthetic Data ◽  
Vertical Cylinder ◽  
Gravity Anomalies ◽  
Horizontal Cylinder ◽  
Random Errors ◽  
Residual Gravity ◽  
Characteristic Points ◽  
The Usa

AbstractWe have developed a simple and fast quantitative method for depth and shape determination from residual gravity anomalies due to simple geometrical bodies (semi-infinite vertical cylinder, horizontal cylinder, and sphere). The method is based on defining the anomaly value at two characteristic points and their corresponding distances on the anomaly profile. Using all possible combinations of the two characteristic points and their corresponding distances, a statistical procedure is developed for automated determination of the best shape and depth parameters of the buried structure from gravity data. A least-squares procedure is also formulated to estimate the amplitude coefficient which is related to the radius and density contrast of the buried structure. The method is applied to synthetic data with and without random errors and tested on two field examples from the USA and Germany. In all cases examined, the estimated depths and shapes are found to be in good agreement with actual values. The present method has the capability of minimizing the effect of random noise in data points to enhance the interpretation of results.

scholarly journals Study of salt structures from gravity and seismic data in Santos Basin, Brazil

2016 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Renata Regina Constantino Regina Constantino ◽  
Eder Cassola Molina ◽  
Iata Anderson de Souza
Keyword(s):  
Gravity Anomaly ◽  
Crustal Structure ◽  
Gravity Data ◽  
Geophysical Methods ◽  
Gravity Anomalies ◽  
Sedimentary Basins ◽  
Final Conclusion ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Salt Layer ◽  
Modelling Studies

Seismic is one of the main methods used for the identification of structures and stratigraphic studies in sedimentary basins. In the Santos Basin, numerous 2D and 3D seismic surveys are being conducted in order to get a better ima-ge of the geological section to depths beyond the base of salt layer. Crustal modelling studies that make joint interpretation of seismic and gravity data are found in the literature, however there are few studies that relate gravity anomalies directly to salt structures. This work aims to associate gravity anomalies with salt structures from seismic and gravimetric interpretation. For studies aimed to model the crustal structure from gravity field data, the knowledge of two major discontinuities is required, the basement and the Moho. Such interfaces are often not easily seen by seismic and so, during this study, they were found by different methods involving analysis of gravity anomalies. The other interfaces involving density contrasts were analyzed based on seismic interpretation. The results showed that the obtained seismic geological interpretations may provide additional information when compared to gravity anomaly data. In all the modelled profiles, some geological information of the Santos Basin that are not visible in the seismic, could be interpreted according to the geological model and the adjustment of gravity anomaly curves. As a final conclusion of this work, it is suggested that the combined analysis of the two cited geophysical methods, can provide important information about the crustal structure and to assist in modelling the salt layer.

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