Investigating the optimal integration of airborne, ship-borne, satellite and terrestrial gravity data for use in geoid determination

<p>Each gravity observation technique has different parameters and contributes to different pieces of the gravity spectrum. This means that no one gravity dataset is able to model the Earth’s gravity field completely and the best gravity map is one derived from many sources. Therefore, one of the challenges in gravity field modelling is combining multiple types of heterogeneous gravity datasets. The aim of this study is to determine the optimal method to produce a single gravity map of the Canterbury case study area, for the purposes of use in geoid modelling. This objective is realised through the identification and application of a four-step integration process: purpose, data, combination and assessment. This includes the evaluation of three integration methods: natural neighbour, ordinary kriging and least squares collocation. As geoid modelling requires the combination of gravity datasets collected at various altitudes, it is beneficial to be able to combine the dataset using an integration method which operates in a three-dimensional space. Of the three integration methods assessed, least squares collocation is the only integration method which is able to perform this type of reduction. The resulting product is a Bouguer anomaly map of the Canterbury case study area, which combines satellite altimetry, terrestrial, ship-borne, airborne, and satellite gravimetry using least squares collocation.</p>

Investigating the optimal integration of airborne, ship-borne, satellite and terrestrial gravity data for use in geoid determination

<p>Each gravity observation technique has different parameters and contributes to different pieces of the gravity spectrum. This means that no one gravity dataset is able to model the Earth’s gravity field completely and the best gravity map is one derived from many sources. Therefore, one of the challenges in gravity field modelling is combining multiple types of heterogeneous gravity datasets. The aim of this study is to determine the optimal method to produce a single gravity map of the Canterbury case study area, for the purposes of use in geoid modelling. This objective is realised through the identification and application of a four-step integration process: purpose, data, combination and assessment. This includes the evaluation of three integration methods: natural neighbour, ordinary kriging and least squares collocation. As geoid modelling requires the combination of gravity datasets collected at various altitudes, it is beneficial to be able to combine the dataset using an integration method which operates in a three-dimensional space. Of the three integration methods assessed, least squares collocation is the only integration method which is able to perform this type of reduction. The resulting product is a Bouguer anomaly map of the Canterbury case study area, which combines satellite altimetry, terrestrial, ship-borne, airborne, and satellite gravimetry using least squares collocation.</p>

Gravity Study using Multi-2.5D Modeling and 3D Presentation for Al Ma'aniyah Depression, Southwest of Iraq

Tectonic depression area within and/or beside widespread basin is regarded as an important location for sub-basin sedimentary sequence of Iraq which may represent an excellent accumulation of bounded sediments. Al-Ma'aniyah depression, southwest Iraq is one of such type of sub-basin. Free-air gravity data show a NS extend of this depression inside Saudi Arabia. This work focuses on studying and multi-2.5D model creation for the depression in the Iraqi territory part using Bouguer gravity data and mapping its basement relief. Firstly, the exact boundary of the depression was outlined utilizing the Free-Air gravity data. Then, a precise selection of regional field for the study area was determined by using the power spectrum method, which accordingly defines the residual anomalies that could represent structural enclosures. Many positive anomalies were assigned and enhanced using vertical and total horizontal derivatives, where they were interpreted as basement-related features. Subsequently, a 2.5D multi modeling and depth inversion for the Bouguer gravity data were accomplished by converting the gravity map to a stacked profiles depth map. A nineteen gravity profiles, which cover the study area, were modeled by assuming 2D intra-sedimentary bodies. These bodies were best presented by a 3D view that clarifies the nature of the subsurface modeled structures. The modeling shows an extra density at the northern part of the depression, in contrast, it suggests low density bodies at its southern part, the case that appears inconsistent with a previously performed magnetic interpretation. The inversion of gravity data shows that the basement depth at Al-Ma'aniyah depression ranges from 7.5 to10 km.

Delineation of subsurface features by gravity technique in parts of Shivpuri District, M.P.

This research paper represents the search of faults/ fractures/ shear zones/ altered zones, to find out mineral target zones in part of Shivpuri district, M.P. Geologically, the study area is represented by Vindhyan Supergroup of Meso to Neoproterozoic age. The area is mainly covered by alluvium which is characterized river gravels, sand and residual soil. The gravity survey was carried out with a station density of 1 gravity station per 2.5 sq km along with elevations of each gravity stations covered 2800 sq km. The rock samples have been collected from different litho-units of the study area for measurement of physical property (Density) which are useful for understanding & evaluating of geological response. The general trend of contour pattern of Bouguer gravity is NW-SE directions. Bouguer gravity anomaly contour map is characterized by broad gravity ‘high’ in southern part whereas ‘low’ in northern part which inferred depression of basement toward the north. The nosing in aligned approximately NW-SE direction is recorded in central part which may be interpreted as inferred lineament and it is clearly reflected on residual gravity map. The regional gravity anomaly aligned in NW-SE is characterized by broad gravity ‘high’ in southern part whereas ‘low’ in northern part which reflects basement deepening towards north. The majority of Euler 3D solutions are falling on linear bodies (inferred lineament) with varying depths from 0.5 to 2.5 km.

DELINEATION OF LINEAMENTS IN THE REGION OF OUADDAI (CHAD) USING GRAVITY DATA

The gravity map of Ouaddai in the eastern region of Chad exhibits important anomalies that are often delimitated by the high gravity gradients, resulting from the density contrasts between various anomaly sources. This presumes an important tectonic activity in zone. Because of its arid and desert nature, the region is water-poor or even lacking water resources. The main source of water in the region is made of very deep aquifers. The gravity analysis from this study helps to better understand the network of faults in the area. Many complementary approaches of the gravity data processing have been applied, namely the horizontal gradient coupled to the upward and downward continuation and the Euler method. Results from the data filtring have allowed highlighting faults network in various directions (SSW-NNE S-N E-W, NE-SW) and the main direction. In total, 37 major faults were detected with various lengths including 11 (F6, F9, F10, F12, F17, F29, F31, F34, F35, F37) for a cumulative total length of 353 km oriented towards Bongor basin and 15 others (F1, F4, F7, F8, F11, F13, F18, F20, F23, F25, F26, F27, F28, F30, F33), for a cumulative total length of 621 km, oriented towards Doba basin. These faults are of paramount importance with great potential impacts on the regions hydrocarbon reservoirs. Thise results in one hand confirmed some known faults from the previous investigations. In the other hand, the study helps to identify other new and unknown tectonic signatures.

Análisis morfotectónico y gravimétrico en un valle intermontano de la Precordillera Central de San Juan, Argentina

En este trabajo se efectúa un análisis morfotectónico y gravimétrico de la cuenca del río Talacasto, en Precordillera Central, con énfasis en el río de La Burra. Se describen además las principales estructuras con evidencia de actividad tectónica cuaternaria. La morfología irregular de la cuenca y la diversidad de depósitos aluviales encontrados a lo largo del río de La Burra (colector principal de la cuenca) permitieron inferir que la misma se encuentra en un ambiente tectónico activo con fuertes controles litológicos y estructurales. Las principales fallas descritas se ubican en el piedemonte oriental de la Sierra de La Crucecita, y occidental de la sierra de Talacasto (30º 54’-31º S y 68º 47’-68º 55’ O), unos 70 km al noroeste de San Juan, en el Departamento Ullum. Las mismas se denominaron de norte a sur: Las Crucecitas y Vertientes (en el piedemonte oriental de la sierra de La Crucecita) y el sistema de falla Talacasto occidental (piedemonte occidental de la sierra homónima). Las fallas afectan depósitos asignados al Pleistoceno tardío y Holoceno y muestran en las exposiciones naturales identificadas, rasgos típicos de ambientes compresivos y que evidencian su actividad cuaternaria. Las estructuras identificadas coinciden con el estilo estructural de tectónica de piel delgada de vergencia oriental, característico de Precordillera Central. Además, se identificó un control estructural sobre el río de La Burra, con la generación de al menos tres terrazas de erosión sobre su margen izquierda. Esta deformación se vincula con el tectonismo activo que a escala regional afectó y afecta al ámbito precordillerano. Finalmente, se identificaron las principales estructuras geológicas a partir del análisis e interpretación de las anomalías gravimétricas, empleando datos obtenidos de WGM12 (World Gravity Map, 2012), que incluye datos de gravedad terrestre y satelital derivados del modelo EGM2008. La respuesta gravimétrica del basamento que compone el área en estudio, muestra una correlación con la estructura superficial y podría estar asociada a los diferentes dominios morfotectónicos reconocidos en la región.

Deep gravity data interpretation using seismic reflection and well data: A case study of the West Gharib-Bakr area, Eastern Desert, Egypt

A rigorous processing and analysis of the gravity data with seismic reflection and borehole information enabled a general view of the deep-seated regional structures in the West Gharib-Bakr area, Eastern Desert, Egypt. In this context, several interpretational techniques were applied to learn more about the supra-basement structures and intra-basement sources. The interpretation started with a review of the seismic data to clarify the structural elements on top of the Miocene strata, where a number of isochronous reflection maps were constructed and had migrated into depth maps. The Bouguer anomaly map was processed using Fast Fourier Transform filtering based on spectral analysis to separate the gravity anomalies into its components. Gravity stripping was also performed under the seismic isopachs and density controls. The gravity effect of each rock unit was calculated and progressively removed from the original data to obtain a new gravity map on top of the Pre-Miocene. To ensure more reliable results, further filtering and analytical processes were applied to the stripped map. The results of seismic analysis show simple structural configurations at the Miocene level, with a significant increase of evaporite thickness along the Gulf of Suez coast. In contrast, analysis of the stripped gravity map reveals a more intricate structure at the Pre-Miocene level, with increasing numbers/lengths of faults on the basement surface. Lineament analysis shows two major peaks trending N0–20°W and N50–70°E, produced by two main forces in NNW–SSE (compression) and ENE–WSW (tension) directions. The models confirmed a rough and ruptured basement surface, with no evidence of any magmatic intrusions penetrating the sediments. The basement relief map delineates five basins/sub-basins in the area which are separated from each other by ridges/saddles.