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This paper presents a finite‐differences 3D numerical model that simulates the gravity and thermal structure of the Corsica‐Sardinia Block (CSB), an apparently stable lithospheric domain characterized by cryptic tectonic activity. In the experiments, we change the density and heat production rate of the model crust within a range of geologically realistic values to fit the measured Bouguer gravity anomaly and surface heat flow pattern. The discrepancy between the observed geophysical structure and the outcomes of numerical modelling are discussed in relation to the composition of the CSB crust and finally recast in the geodynamic framework of the western Mediterranean region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study interprets gravity data in parts of southeastern Nigeria using spectral analysis and 2D modeling. The study area is bounded by Latitudes 5°N 30' to 6°N 30' and Longitudes 7°E 0' to 8°E 0'. The Bouguer gravity data was obtained from the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) in Geosoft grid file format. The study uses the spectral analysis method and 2D modeling with GM SYS to estimate the average depth of the sedimentary strata and the basement from the Bouguer anomaly map. The data sets cover the southern part of the Anambra basin and the northern Niger Delta complex. Regional-residual separation was applied to the Bouguer gravity data through the polynomial fitting of the first degree. This gave rise to the residual and regional maps. Further filtering actions accentuated the subtlest anomalies peculiar to the study area. Spectral analysis results reveal two depth models: deep source (D1) and shallow source (D2). The deep source represents depths within the basementrelated sources, while the Shallow source is associated with shallow-related gravity sources. D1 varies from 1.50 km to 4.02 km with an average value of 2.95 km, while D2 varies from 1.91 km to 0.514 km with an average value of 1.50 km. The thickest depth of the Modelled cross-section is at about 6845.62 m, which is within the tertiary recent sediment with clayey sands and shale extending beyond the study area. The average or actual sedimentary thickness of 2.95 km suggests that the area will be plausible for hydrocarbon exploration. The thickest sedimentary cover represents density variation in sedimentary rock of the basin, which occurs at the southern part of block 4 (Okigwe). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The geodynamic evolution of the Liguro-Provençal Basin and its crust and upper mantle structure remain debated, especially regarding the role of rifting in continental break-up and seafloor spreading. Our study incorporates updated datasets, including new gravity maps from the AlpArray Gravity Working Group (complete Bouguer, free air, and isostatic anomalies) for 3D modeling and gravity field analysis, seismic data from Lobster offshore campaigns for direct comparison, and geodynamic models, supplemented by seismic profiles from previous French and Italian campaigns to constrain the interpretation. We used GFZ’s IGMAS + software for interactive 3D modeling, creating a density model extending to 300 km depth that includes crustal and upper mantle inhomogeneities based on prior geodynamic models. This hybrid approach, with polygonal structures for the crust and voxels for the upper mantle, clarifies individual contributions to the gravity field. Extending initial gravity modeling from the SPP MB4D project INTEGRATE, our work provides a consistent 3D density model for the Alps and Ligurian Basin. The constrained 3D modeling and numerical analyses (terracing, clustering, filtering, curvature), along with vertical stress and gravitational potential energy calculations, suggest that rifting has significantly influenced the basin’s geological evolution.

In this work, the study of the crustal structure of the Babouri-Figuil and Mayo Oulo-Lere sedimentary basins was carried out through the interpretation of gravity data. These data were obtained by combining the terrestrial gravity data obtained from the Earth Gravitational Model 2008. The analysis of the terrestrial Bouguer anomaly maps reveals both negative and positive anomalies. Negative anomalies, i.e., low-density signatures, are interpreted as specific rock types on the basis of the geological knowledge of the region while the positive anomalies are attributed to basaltic rocks underlying a generally granitic environment. The empirical method was used to distinguish anomalies due to deep structures from those due to near-surface structures. This method testifies that the residual map of degree 4 is appropriate. Six profiles are drawn on this residual Bouguer anomaly map and are interpreted using spectral analysis and 2D modeling methods. The results indicate that the mean depths of mass sources at the near-surface of the Babouri-Figuil and Mayo Oulo-Lere sedimentary basins are located at 1.50 km and 1.55 km, respectively. Moreover, the Babouri-Figuil Basin is constituted of two formations while the Mayo Oulo-Lere Basin exhibits three distinct formations. These models also help clarify the geological structure of the study area as well as the thicknesses of the sedimentary basins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cuitzeo Lake, in the central part of the Trans Mexican Volcanic Belt, is in an extensional region associated with the Cuitzeo graben, where magmatic ascent appears to provide the heat sources for the surface, geothermal manifestations. A profuse distribution of andesitic rocks is observed throughout the study area of 50×50 km2. Gravity and magnetic field 3D inversions are calculated to obtain density and magnetic susceptibility distributions to 7000 m depth, from which we analyze N-S and E-W cross-sections and obtain density and magnetic susceptibility geosurfaces that help characterize anomaly areas of interest. We use satellite-derived gravity and magnetic data in our evaluation, owing to their high-resolution characteristics and uniform coverage of the study area. Analysis initiates with the San Agustín del Maíz region (SAM), exhibiting surface geothermal manifestations, to characterize its density and susceptibility characteristics, then the analysis is extended to the whole study area. Several outcropping, low magnetic susceptibility regions, like the one associated with SAM, are suggested as potential geothermal targets. Density geosurfaces point to two volumes where magmatic material may intrude, coinciding with active geologic faults. The analysis presented here can be extended to neighboring regions in the Cuitzeo Lake area and may constitute a fast, unexpensive exploration methodology in similar geothermal districts.

The Swayze greenstone belt (SGB) is an Archean granitoid-greenstone terrain located in the central part of the Superior Province in Canada. The main objective of this project consisted in doing an analysis and modelling of public regional gravity data of the Swayze greenstone belt with the aim of examining the geometry and depth extent of the geological bodies that occur in the area of this greenstone belt. Gravity data from the Geophysical Data Repository of Natural Resources Canada was used to obtain forward 2.75D gravity models along three profiles, two transversal and one longitudinal to the geological structures of the Swayze greenstone belt. Gravity forward modelling along these profiles was performed using different constraints such as mapped geological contacts at the surface and petrophysical data of different type of rocks of the Abitibi greenstone belt. The models provide an attempt to characterize the geometry and depth extent of the geological units composing the SGB, using regional gravity data.

The geoid-quasigeoid separation (GQS) traditionally uses the Bouguer anomalies to approximate the difference between the mean gravity and normal gravity along the plumb line. This approximation is adequate in flat and low elevation areas, but not in high and rugged mountains. To increase the accuracy, higher order terms of the corrections (potential and gravity gradient) to the approximation were computed in Colorado where the 1 cm geoid computation experiment was conducted. Over an area of 730 km by 560 km where the elevation ranges between 932 and 4,385 m, the potential correction (Pot. Corr.) reaches −0.190 m and its root mean square (RMS) is 0.019 m. The gravity gradient correction is small but has high variation: the RMS of the correction is merely 0.003 m but varies from −0.025 to 0.020 m. In addition, the difference between the Bouguer gravity anomaly and gravity disturbance causes about a 0.01 m bias and a maximum correction of 0.02 m. The total corrections range from −0.135 to 0.180 m, with an RMS value of 0.019 m for the region. The magnitude of the corrections is large enough and is not negligible considering today’s cm-geoid requirement. After the test in Colorado, the complete GQS term is computed in 1′ × 1′ grids for the experimental geoid 2020 (xGEOID20), which covers a region bordered by latitude 0–85° north, longitude 180–350° east. Over the land areas, the RMS of the GQS is 0.119 m and the maximum reaches 1.3 m. The RMS of the GQS increases with respect to the height until 4,000 m, then decreases unexpectedly. At the highest peaks (5,500–6,000 m) of Denali and Mount Logan, the RMS of the GQS ranges between 0.08 and 0.189 m. The small GQS at these high peaks are caused by steep slopes around the peaks that produce large Pot. Corr. caused by the topography. In addition, the higher order correction terms reach half of a meter in those peaks.

The availability of high-degree and recent global geopotential models is a crucial resource for different geodetic and geophysical applications such as modelling of geoid and quasi-geoid and establishing global reference and height systems, estimating Moho depth, gravity anomaly and tectonics, other geopotential functional, and oceanography, which emphasizes the importance for model evaluation. We have therefore estimated complete Bouguer anomalies and Moho whose results are evaluated with the terrestrial values. We validate the recently released satellite-only and high-degree combined GGMs over Ethiopia using terrestrial gravity data based on a statistical comparison of the Bouguer anomaly, its residual and Moho depth. The terrestrial-derived gravity anomaly is more accurately estimated by EIGEN6C4. The assessment against a recently conducted high resolution (∼3 km) terrestrial and airborne gravimetric survey over Ethiopia shows that EIGEN6C4/SGG_UGM_1 and 2 have the highest accuracy (∼3.28/3.27 mGal). However, the comparison with such data hardly discriminates the qualities of other GGMs that have or are truncated to the same degree and order. Whereas, the validation results of GGMs against terrestrial and airborne data are identical. EIGEN6C4, SGG_UGM_2, XGM2016, XGM2019e_2159/SGG_UGM_1 have the best quality, and the accuracy of associated Moho is 4.89/4.90 km, and this value changes to 4.98/4.91/5.51 km when the EGM08/ITSG_Grace2018s/GOCO06S are assessed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sidi Ifni region in southwest Morocco is mainly composed of crystalline rocks with limited groundwater storage capacity. These water resources drain in particular fault zones with high fracture permeability. The main objective of this study is to describe the geological structure of the region to optimize future drilling locations. The gravity data were processed using various techniques, such as total horizontal gradient, tilt derivative, and Euler deconvolution, in conjunction with the interpretation of the geological data, to create a new structural map. This map confirms the presence of many previously identified or inferred faults and identifies significant new faults with their respective trends and depths. Analysis of this map shows that major faults are oriented NNE-SSW and NE-SW, while minor faults are oriented E-W, NW-SE, and NNW-SSE. The superposition of the hydrogeological data and the structural map reveals that the high groundwater flow values in the boreholes are located in the vicinity of the major faults and talwegs. The structures deduced from the filtering and interpretation of the gravity data suggest that the hydrogeological system of the Ifni Inlier is controlled by its structures. To confirm this impact, a high-resolution electrical resistivity map (7200 Hz) was used, with penetration depths ranging from 84 to 187 m. Negative boreholes, located in high resistivity ranges corresponding to sound basement formations without fault crossings, showed high resistivity values. The positive holes, located in anomalies with low linear resistivity, revealed the impact of fault crossings, which drain water and tend to decrease the resistivity values of the formations. Therefore, these new structural maps will assist in planning future hydrogeological studies in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conduct a gravity study of the lithosphere beneath three large sedimentary basins in southeastern South America: Paraná, Chaco-Paraná, and Pantanal. We compile a massive gravity database and estimate the free-air and Bouguer gravity anomalies, resulting in a novel complete Bouguer anomaly map for the study area. To discern the influence of crustal loads with known lithologies, including sediments, basalts, and topography variations of the Moho discontinuity, we calculate their gravity effects and subsequently remove them from the complete Bouguer anomaly, leading to the development of our residual Bouguer anomaly map. This map highlights unknown anomalous masses within the lithosphere. To aid in the interpretation of these residual anomalies, we perform a 2D forward modeling. Based on our results, we propose new boundaries for the Paranapanema block and the Luiz Alves craton. Additionally, we propose that the Ponta Grossa swarm dike has a more substantial impact on the crust and lithosphere than previously considered, and delimit the region of influence of this magmatism in the lithosphere. Moreover, tectonic features such as the São Francisco paleocontinent and the Rio de La Plata craton appear to be associated with negative residual Bouguer anomaly regions. Furthermore, we identify and emphasize the significance of the Western Paraná Suture, which acts as a demarcation between the Paraná Basin region and the Pantanal and Chaco-Paraná basins. Remarkably, this suture appears to play a more important role in shaping the density structure of the southwest of South America than the age and tectonic history of the sedimentary basins.

Phlegraean Fields is a large, active caldera located in the densely populated westernmost sector of Naples's Bay (Southern Italy). Several Bouguer anomaly surveys are available for this area with different resolution and accuracy; gravity data derive from the integration of stations placed below and above the sea level as the caldera develops both onshore and offshore. The comparison of these maps with the Digital Elevation Model shows a still remaining Terrain Effect hiding the shallower and deep caldera structure's signal. This effect has an impact on the modelling of the gravity source's depth and geometry. In this research, we apply a geologically constrained terrain correction method to the higher resolution Free Air dataset available for the study area to enhance the complete Bouguer reduction. The correlation analysis between the residual and the topography allows us to assess the quality of the outcomes. The results represent an improvement in the anomalies' isolation and clearly show a continuous circular-like clustering of maxima related to the geometry of the caldera rim. The minima are associated with volcano-tectonic depression filled with pyroclastic and sediment. Furthermore, features alignments overlap the fault systems, along which the volcanic activity occurred. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geothermal prospect in Cipari has been shown by spring who has a temperature of about 50°C and is categorized as a low temperature. The presence of spring on Cipari earth's surface is an indication of geothermal structures' existence on the surface and a geothermal system below the surface. Geophysical methods can be used for subsurface structures identification, one of them is the density method with gravity data. This study has an objective to identify the subsurface structures in Cipari geothermal potential area using GGMPlus gravity data. Terrain and Bouguer corrections were used to obtain Complete Bouguer Anomaly (CBA). Separation of regional and residual anomalies using Butterwoth and Bandpass filters. The rock contact boundary was obtained by the FHD method and geological structures such as faults were obtained by the SVD method. FHD and SVD results were used as information for 2D forward modeling. The ABL map shows anomalous contrasts in areas that have rock contacts and geological faults. The high anomaly in the center of the study area indicates the Cipari anticline. Data processing and analysis concluded that the area around the Cipari hot spring has anticline, several rock contacts, and normal fault structures. The fault in the study area is part of the geothermal system which is confirmed by GGMPlus data.

A total of 610 gravity stations were taken to cover the area around Kalak and Bardarash Towns northwest of Erbil City. The existed net of roads was followed to collect the data. All necessary corrections were carried out to calculate and display the complete Bouguer anomalies. The Bouguer anomaly map was carefully analyzed. Regional and residual maps were also derived and displayed using different techniques. The visual inspection of the Bouguer anomaly map showed the presence of five major anomalies: two positive and three negative. Among them is the important high south of Bardarash Town which is the main oil field structure in the area. When these anomalies were compared with the surface geology, lineaments on Landsat and Aster images a good and reliable consistency was found with slight shift in the surface anticlinal axis of Bardarash with that obtained from gravity. The analysis of the regional anomaly map shows that all the anomalies revealed by the Bouguer and residual maps are super-imposed on a main regional anomaly almost trending towards northeast. This major anomaly, which is considered to reflect the effect of basement rocks, shows that the basement complex surface is inclined toward the northeast and East. It has a depth ranging between 6 and 9 km. with the presence of many faults some of which are continuing upwards to the surface.

The paper analyzes the "bright spot" and "flat spot" anomalies of seismic data on the southeastern flank of the Knipovich Ridge associated with the accumulation of free gas in the sedimentary cover above the oceanic basement. The identified anomalies are associated spatially with negative values of the residual Bouguer anomaly and positive magnetic field (ΔТа) anomalies. This fact indicates the existence of decompaction zones in the crust and upper mantle related to serpentinization that can also provoke the superimposed, probably modern, chemogenic magnetization and distortion of the primary linear pattern of magnetic anomalies in the oceanic basement in the study area. Serpentinization was also responsible for vertical displacements of the crustal and upper mantle blocks on the flanks, leading to deformations of the sedimentary cover with the rock dilation. Off-axis seismicity indicates tectonic disruptions on flanks of the ridge with a higher access of water necessary for the serpentinization and the subsequent change in the physical properties of rocks reflected in geophysical fields. The eastern flank of the Knipovich Ridge underwent tectonic activation along the basement structures representing the northern extension of the Senja fracture zone, resulting in accumulations of free gas in the sedimentary cover. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the concentration of natural radionuclides and to carry out geophysical interpretation of part of Igarra area, Southern Nigeria, an integrated geophysical approach was adopted involving radiometric, gravity, and magnetic methods. The RS-230 Super-Spec spectrometer, G-512 Lacoste and Romberg gravimeter, and the GSM-19v7.0 Overhauser instrument were used for the radiometric, gravity, and magnetic data acquisitions, respectively, along a specified traverse within the area. The datasets were processed using Oasis Montaj, Grav-Master, and Ms-Excel software. Gravity results show that the mean free air and Bouguer anomalies in the area are − 67.42 and − 84.22 mGal, while magnetic survey indicates that the mean corrected magnetic field intensity in this area is 32218.49 nT. Radiometric survey results show that the mean radioactivity concentrations of thorium ( 232 Th ) , uranium ( 238 U ), and potassium ( 40 K ) are 31.81 Bq/kg, 26.48 Bq/kg, and 167.33 Bq/kg, respectively. Further analysis also revealed that the mean radioactivity equivalent of the area is 84.86 Bq/kg; absorbed dose rate is 72.74nGy/h, while the mean external hazard index is 0.30. A novel model equation for estimating absorbed dose rate from radioactivity equivalent was also obtained and validated. The gravity and magnetic survey results indicate the presence of low-density and high magnetic basement rocks underlying this area, while radiometric results reveal that radiations in this area did not exceed acceptable standards of 370 Bq/kg for radioactivity equivalent, 84 nGy/h for absorbed dose rate, and unity which corresponds to 370 Bq/kg for external hazard index as recommended by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation and the International Atomic Energy Agency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sidi Ifni region in southwest Morocco is mainly composed of crystalline rocks with limited groundwater storage capacity. These water resources drain in particular fault zones with high fracture permeability. The main objective of this study is to describe the geological structure of the region to optimize future drilling locations. The gravity data were processed using various techniques, such as total horizontal gradient, tilt derivative, and Euler deconvolution, in conjunction with the interpretation of the geological data, to create a new structural map. This map confirms the presence of many previously identified or inferred faults and identifies significant new faults with their respective trends and depths. Analysis of this map shows that major faults are oriented NNE-SSW and NE-SW, while minor faults are oriented E-W, NW-SE, and NNW-SSE. The superposition of the hydrogeological data and the structural map reveals that the high groundwater flow values in the boreholes are located in the vicinity of the major faults and talwegs. The structures deduced from the filtering and interpretation of the gravity data suggest that the hydrogeological system of the Ifni Inlier is controlled by its structures. To confirm this impact, a high-resolution electrical resistivity map (7200 Hz) was used, with penetration depths ranging from 84 to 187 m. Negative boreholes, located in high resistivity ranges corresponding to sound basement formations without fault crossings, showed high resistivity values. The positive holes, located in anomalies with low linear resistivity, revealed the impact of fault crossings, which drain water and tend to decrease the resistivity values of the formations. Therefore, these new structural maps will assist in planning future hydrogeological studies in this area.

The Sinai Peninsula is a subplate located between the African and Arabian plates. It is an important subplate in the world; however, this region is poorly understood because of the shortage of geophysical data. Thus, this study focuses on built a three-dimensional (3D) high-resolution forward model of the crustal thickness with a new tectonic model and structural evaluation of the Sinai Peninsula to understand this area tectonically and determine its lithospheric and crustal thicknesses. Qualitative and quantitative interpretations of Bouguer gravity, reduced-to-the-pole (RTP) aeromagnetic, and earthquake data are explained to achieve the goals of this study. Two-dimensional (2D) interactive sequential modeling of gravity data is performed along with some well-selected profiles with existing crustal layer depth points from previous works in the studied region. Seventeen 2D models are constructed and used to determine the basement, Conrad (lower crust boundary), and Moho (upper mantle boundary) depths and to build a 3D model. Accuracy of the 3D built model is evaluated by extracting observed, calculated, and residual gravity anomaly maps. The results show that the basement rocks appear on the surface in the South of Sinai and deepen (down to 4.5 km) toward the North. The Conrad surface varies approximately from 16 km (in the northeast and southwest of Sinai) to 22.8 km (in the southeast). The Moho surface depth (i.e., crustal thickness) varies approximately from 28.8 to 34.2 km, and it deepens toward the northeastern and southwestern parts of Sinai. A tentative basement structure map is constructed from the horizontal gradient (H-gradient) filter and the 3D Euler deconvolution of the Bouguer gravity and RTP aeromagnetic data. Correlation between the geological background of the study area and the obtained results suggests that the Sinai Peninsula is tectonically active, mainly in its southern portion due to the tectonic movements along the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba. The crustal thickness increases southward and thins northward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Neves-Corvo world class Iberian Pyrite Belt volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) deposit located in southern Portugal, constitutes an important Cu–Zn–Pb active mine. Seven deposits are currently known, among which the Lombador deposit alone has estimated 150 Mt of massive sulphides. The life-time of the mine is dependent on the discovery of new exploration targets and it is vital to have accurate 3D geological models, not only to guide drilling campaigns but also to drive a winning/new strategy, which in the past has led to Semblana and Monte Branco discoveries: geophysical inversion and modelling. Furthermore, 3D geological models can contribute to the understanding of the tectonic and stratigraphic evolution of the region. Therefore, the goal of this study is to produce a realistic 3D geological model of the Neves-Corvo region, as only one model is presently publicly available: the PROMINE model, which includes the study area of this work and extends from Aljustrel to the border with Spain. Lundin Mining has also produced two unpublished, confidential models in 2007 and 2017. The latest Lundin model incorporates the same geophysical data used in this work (2D and 3D seismic reflection and time-domain electromagnetic (TEM) ground loop data) and approximately 7500 surface and underground drill-holes. The model presented in this research has much more detail than the 2012 PROMINE model in the Neves-Corvo region and uses an updated and revised drill-hole database with approximately 8000 drill-holes, revised geological cross-sections built from surface geology and drill-hole logs, new geological outcrop data, petrophysical and reprocessed geophysical data, and is therefore more detailed and accurate than any of the previous models, in particular the 2007 and PROMINE models. Land gravimetric and aeromagnetic data are also available in the study area but were not directly used to build the geological model but rather to investigate and check the model produced. Modelling was performed with industry standard software and the 3D curves resulting from the geological/geophysical interpretation were interpolated using different approaches to respect the hard data (interpretation lines and drill-holes). The resulting 3D stratigraphic surfaces required strong manual editing to respect the interpretation, due to the presence of folds, thrusts and tectonic nappes in the study area. The surfaces were afterwards tied to the drill-holes, resulting in a 3D model with great accuracy and detail in the near mining area and covering a larger area than previously available 3D geological models. The model has three major stratigraphic layers: the Mértola Flysch Formation and the Volcano-Sedimentary Complex (VSC), overlying the Phyllite-Quartzite Formation basement, and also the known VMS deposits (underlying the top of the Lower VSC) geometries according to drill-hole data. In the central part of the study area, where more drill-holes are available, the top of the Lower VSC sequence surface was also built. This approach will contribute to a better exploration drill-hole planning and the generation of new targets for exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geothermal energy resources of the northern part of Congo Craton boundary in Cameroon are highlighted by 3-D geophysical inversion-modeling and intrusion estimation using gravity data. Determination of the magnitude maxima of (1) tilt derivative gravity allowed map to be produced showing various lines of fractures interpreted as the preferential paths for circulation of geothermal energy resources up flow to the surface, and (2) the total horizontal derivative give an overview of the possible deep geological setting in the area, which are acting as the source of geothermal potential. We find that these structures (fractures and igneous intrusion) are associated to long-wavelength anomalies, suggesting that its should be connected with large-scale structural deformation due to the collision between Congo Craton (CC) and Pan-African belt or Mobile zone (MZ). Interpretation of 3-D density models derived from the inversion of gravity data shows the presence of igneous intrusion within the faults with high density, probably granulitic rocks put in place during the Pan-African belt reactivation. The distribution of high density constitutes the geothermal potential energy resources of the studied area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Regional-scaled gravity data was interpreted for the Central Equatorial Atlantic African region, a region comprising of both oceanic and continental areas, with a view to understanding more about its complex geological settings and the processes of tectonic evolution. The methods adopted involved the generation of topography/bathymetry, free-air and Bouguer anomaly grids from topography, free-air anomaly and Bouguer anomaly datasets; regional-residual gravity field separation, lineament mapping from the Horizontal Derivative and 2-D modelling of the sub-surface. Within the study area, the elevation ranged from -4,200 to 3,840 m. The free-air anomaly map showed a combination of elongated and circular positive free-air anomalies and elongated, negative free-air anomalies whose values varied between -40 mGal and 70 mGal. The Bouguer anomaly values ranged from -121 to +229 mGal. The Bouguer anomaly map also showed both elongated and circular positive and negative Bouguer anomalies. The dominant orientations of the elongated Bouguer anomalies were the NE-SW, the E-W and the ESE-WNW orientations. Gravity modelling within the oceanic region revealed the presence of a basaltic cover whose thickness varied between 1,330 m to 7,700 m in the oceanic and continental margin regions. Associated with the occurrence of this basaltic cover were kinks interpreted as eruption fissures from which the basaltic cover was ejected. It was discovered that the African West Coast Atlantic margin consisted of a trench around the continental margin region adjoined just to the north by some high density basalt, and also that the West African Coastline is heavily laced with magmatism and must have therefore been an active magmatic region in the past. Based on the interpreted data, the study concluded that the Equatorial Atlantic Ocean might have opened on a framework of rifts which extended into the inland regions to form the present day sedimentary basins and from the Bouguer anomaly profile along latitude 10oN that it is possible that both the Minna batholith and the Jos Plateau exploited the Proterozoic basement weaknesses for their emplacement.

In general, Manokwari has a geological structure that is in the form of a folding area found in the highlands of the mountains. Among the creases, there is a fault up and the fault down. In coastal or marine areas found many reefs and corals. The study of gravity was conducted in the Manokwari area of West Papua with the aim to know the subsurface geological structures based on FHD (First Horizontal Derivative), SVD (Second Vertical Derivative) and 2.5D Forward Modeling on the residual anomaly maps of the study area. The results showed that the research area has Bouguer Anomaly value ranged from 4 mGal to 96 mGal with the low anomaly at the left side of the research area lengthwise relatively in north-west to south-east direction, the middle-value anomaly spreads in the west-east area of research area, high anomaly scattered in the northern part of the research area. The results of the 2.5D subsurface modeling and the SVD and FHD analysis indicated the presence of a Thrust Fault on the C-C’ cross-section, on the B-B’ cross-section there is a Diorite Lembai intrusion with the density value is 2.75 gr/cc, whereas the A-A' cross-section which intersects with Sorong fault were not found any fault or rock intrusion based on observed gravity data of the research area.

Phlegraean Fields is a large, active caldera located in the densely populated westernmost sector of Naples’s Bay (Southern Italy). Several Bouguer anomaly surveys are available for this area with different resolution and accuracy; gravity data derive from the integration of stations placed below and above the sea level as the caldera develops both onshore and offshore. The comparison of these maps with the Digital Elevation Model shows a still remaining Terrain Effect hiding the shallower and deep caldera structure’s signal. This effect has an impact on the modelling of the gravity source’s depth and geometry. In this research, we apply a geologically constrained terrain correction method to the higher resolution Free Air dataset available for the study area to enhance the complete Bouguer reduction. The correlation analysis between the residual and the topography allows us to assess the quality of the outcomes. The results represent an improvement in the anomalies’ isolation and clearly show a continuous circular-like clustering of maxima related to the geometry of the caldera rim. The minima are associated with volcano-tectonic depression filled with pyroclastic and sediment. Furthermore, features alignments overlap the fault systems, along which the volcanic activity occurred.

The Uyaijah ring structure (URS), situated within the Precambrian Kushaymiyah Igneous Complex (KIC) at the eastern edge of the Arabian Shield, consists of three large laccoliths: two granitic and one granodioritic, intruded by late mafic dikes. The transverse fault zone (TFZ), belonging to the Najd Fault System of Saudi Arabia, transects the URS along its major axis. The digital elevation map for the URS is first correlated with surface geology to clarify the effects of faulting on the elevation of the pluton. Next, the complete (terrain-corrected) Bouguer anomaly (CBA) map for the URS, based on 145 gravity stations, is examined to investigate the source of the URS through 3D-gravity inversion modeling. A pronounced CBA "low" (< 50 mgal amplitude) occupies the central part of the URS; this is interpreted as the lower density root of the pluton. Three-dimensional gravity inversion modeling traces the source magmatic body through sections at 2–10 km below sea level; this model is largely complemented by results from the 3D magnetic inversion of the RTP aeromagnetic anomalies. The gravity-magnetic inversion indicates that the pluton root zone lies below the SW of the URS at ~ 10-km depth; this value is significantly different from previous depth estimates of ~ 4.75 km. The root zone is noticeably offset by the TFZ. These results suggest a genetic relationship between pluton expansion and updoming, dyking, and faulting that probably reaches down to the base of the upper crust, involving pulsed emplacement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Gravity gradient tensor analysis has been a powerful tool for investigating subsurface structures and recently its application to a two-dimensional fault structure has been developed. To elucidate the faulting type and spatial extent, specifically the continuity and the size, of the subsurface fault structure of an active fault through gravity gradient tensor analysis, we analyzed Bouguer anomalies, which were composed of dense gravity measurement data over the land and seafloor, and indices calculated from a gravity gradient tensor around the Togi-gawa Nangan fault (TNF), Noto Peninsula, central Japan. The features of Bouguer anomalies and their first horizontal and vertical derivatives demonstrate clearly that the TNF is a reverse fault dipping to the southeast. Furthermore, the combination of those derivatives and the dimensionality index revealed that the spatial extent of the subsurface fault structure is coincident with that of the surface fault trace and that it shows no evidence of connecting the TNF with surrounding active faults. Furthermore, the dip angle of the subsurface fault structure was estimated as 45°–60° from the minimum eigenvectors of the gravity gradient tensor. We confirmed that this result is coincident with the dip angle estimated using the two-dimensional Talwani’s method. This high dip angle as a reverse fault suggests that the TNF has experienced inversion tectonics.

The NW Iberian continental margin has a complex structure, resulting from the succession of several rifting episodes close to a ridge triple junction, and a superimposed partial tectonic inversion stage. The wide-ranging physiography matches the diverse tectonic deformation domains related to its evolution. Each deformation domain has a distinctive gravity signal, so the detailed Bouguer anomaly map presented here is a good first approach to the regional study of the whole margin. Moreover, as the presented chart is a complete Bouguer anomaly map (including terrain corrections), its analysis and interpretation can be done in terms of density, geometry and depth variations below the seafloor. This map is mainly based on the dataset obtained during seven one-month surveys carried out in the frame of the Spanish Economic Exclusive Zone project, and also includes two 2 + 3/4D density models illustrating the deep structure of the margin.

The Garoua Zone in North Cameroon, the subject of this study, is known to have undergone tectonic movements during the Cretaceous, but the zone’s structural data remain poorly known. This study exploits the Bouguer anomaly to improve knowledge of Garoua tectonics structures. In order to characterize these structures, two methods are used: Euler’s deconvolution method and the method of the horizontal gradient of the vertical derivative. Superposition of the Euler’s solutions map for index N=1 with the map from the horizontal gradient of the vertical derivative method allows determination of gravimetric lineaments, interpreted as faults or as linear contacts, from which we deduce a structural map of the study area. Based on this map, we identify sixteen lineaments, of which we count eight as linear contacts and eight as faults. Among the faults, we denote one of depth between 4 and 8 km, five faults of depth ranging between 8 and 13 km, and two faults of depths between 13 and 36 km. Analysis of these faults shows that the seven deepest faults might present a natural risk in our study area. For purposes of civil protection, such deep faults should be monitored and taken into consideration in the implementation of large public works. The structural map, established herein from data on the in-depth extension of each fault, thus increases scientific knowledge in the area that can be used to site public works in ways that reduce risk.

Abstract This paper estimated the total water storage variation in the southern rim of the Guarani Aquifer System during a three-year time span, making use of data provided by the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment. Monthly data were used to estimate the Bouguer anomaly in Southern Brazil. A direct modeling, using the Bouguer plateau, was applied to quantitatively estimate the water volume variation of a specific thickness in the studied region. Meteorological almanac data were compared to the gravitational alterations. We found a direct proportionality between the monthly rain average and the water table level. A simple model was found to forecast water accumulation as a function of rainfall regime, which is validated by a Pearson index of 0.82 that indicates a strong correlation between pluviometric and gravimetric data. In order to raise the stored water level near the recharge area by 1 mm, approximately 3 mm of rainfall is needed.

This paper estimated the total water storage variation in the southern rim of the Guarani Aquifer System during a three-year time span, making use of data provided by the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment. Monthly data were used to estimate the Bouguer anomaly in Southern Brazil. A direct modeling, using the Bouguer plateau, was applied to quantitatively estimate the water volume variation of a specific thickness in the studied region. Meteorological almanac data were compared to the gravitational alterations. We found a direct proportionality between the monthly rain average and the water table level. A simple model was found to forecast water accumulation as a function of rainfall regime, which is validated by a Pearson index of 0.82 that indicates a strong correlation between pluviometric and gravimetric data. In order to raise the stored water level near the recharge area by 1 mm, approximately 3 mm of rainfall is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses a multivariate approach aimed at geophysical characterization of subsurface rocks for groundwater exploration in arid environments. We integrate several findings obtained from a single-source, single-sensor seismic profile with gravity data to detail the tectonic settings and characterize the subsurface, water-bearing formations of the Al Jaww Plain, one of the most important groundwater reserves of the United Arab Emirates. The seismic data have been acquired in the framework of the first EAGE Middle-East Bootcamp. Edge-detection techniques applied to the Bouguer anomaly map of the Al Jaww Plain allowed us to infer the presence of unreported ENE trending tectonic lineaments. The prestack depth migrated seismic image shows a clear and previously unreported east-verging thrust affecting seismic wave propagation and consistent with gravity data which was interpreted as an evidence of a detachment fold and thrust above the bottom of Fiqa Formation. Using the first-arrival picking from the common shot gathers, we tested a coupled tomographic inversion of P-wave velocity and Q factor which was aimed at achieving a qualitative characterization of rock petrophysical properties. K-means clustering was used to classify and map subsurface areas characterized by similar observations of P- and Q-wave velocity and therefore to outline shallow zones (

Detailed and precise measurement of the Earth's gravity field (microgravity method) can be effectively used for the detection and quantification of subsurface voids and/or cavities. There exist a variety of successful applications of the microgravity method in near surface geophysics, namely in geotechnical, environmental and archaeological prospection. Using state‐of‐the‐art 'microgal' relative gravity meters, cavities of several metres in each dimension (positioned at a similar depth) can be detected and interpreted. Such objects produce negative anomalies with amplitudes of several tens of microGals (1 microGal = 10−8 m s−2). This contribution is focused on a methodological overview of the most important acquisition and processing steps in archaeological microgravimetry. In the processing of acquired gravimetrical data into a Bouguer anomaly, the so‐called building correction plays an important role, because the gravitational effect of building masses can produce false, usually negative anomalies. Several selected methods for quantitative interpretation are presented, these are based on depth estimation and density modelling. These interpretation methods give satisfactory results in the case of these type of negative anomalies that are caused by subsurface cavities. Microgravimetry can obtain good support from electromagnetic and electrical methods, mainly from ground penetrating radar and electrical resistivity tomography, respectively. Finally, we present successful case‐studies of microgravimetrical detection of crypts in various churches from the Middle Ages and period of Modern History, surveyed during recent decades in Slovakia and Czechia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ghawar Anticline (GA) belongs to super-giant Rayn Anticlines in Eastern Saudi Arabia (ESA). The origin of GA is ascribed to basement-uplift, although, its evolution remains obscure due to inadequate knowledge on configuration of deeper crust and role of crust in producing the basement uplift. The nature of deeper crust is comprehended by an integrated crustal model utilizing DEM, Bouguer anomaly (BA) map, and high-pass-filtered residual BA map by using Laplacian operator, tilt derivative, theta maps, and Euler 3D convolution map on BA data. These maps prove helpful in delineating the structural outline of GA and its edge detection of the uplifted basement against the adjoining sub-basins. 2D gravity inversion for a traverse represents a model on subsurface mass anomalies extending from basement to Moho depth, for which, constraints are utilized based on the nature of seismogenic crust in ESA and available results of receiver function for four seismic stations. A 3-layer source on mass anomalies with depths of 3–5, 22.5, and 40 km is inferred. Poisson' ratio based on Vp/Vs values is high: 0.41–0.42 on its limbs to 0.44 at its median part, where the receiver function data reveals a zone of mantle uplift. Main results derived from Integrated Gravity Model underlying the traverse are as follows: (i) Moho is uplifted by ~ 9 km below GA, for a 220-km width, (ii) the zone of basement uplift in the top crust is ~ 4.5 km over a distance of ~ 75 km, where deep-penetrative faults assist the basement uplift, and (iii) a higher thermal regime probably influenced the crustal configuration below GA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Bu çalışmada Batı Anadolu’nun jeolojik yapı sınırlarını belirleyebilmek için Batı Anadolu gravite verilerine tilt açısı tekniği uygulanmıştır. Tilt açısı gravite verisi ve onun düşey yönlü türevi kullanılmak üzere farklı iki yolla elde edilmiştir. Potansiyel alan yöntemlerinde tilt açısı yöntemi anomalinin düşey yönlü türevinin, yatay türevlerin genliğine oranı şeklinde ifade edilir. Tilt açısı haritasında 0° konturu yapı sınırlarını, ±45° konturları arasındaki uzaklığın yarısı yapının üst derinliğini vermektedir. Çalışmanın arazi uygulamasında Batı Anadolu Bölgesi’ne ait Bouguer gravite verisinin rejyonel haritaları oluşturulmuş ve bu verilere tilt açısı ve düşey yönlü türevin tilt açısı yöntemleri uygulanmıştır. Elde edilen sonuçlar ile jeolojik yapı sınırları karşılaştırılmış ve jeolojik süreksizliklerin olası derinlikleri kestirilmiştir. Yaklaşık 28o boylamı boyunca Kuzey-Güney doğrultusundaki bir hattın doğusu ve batısı arasında 50, 75 ve 100 km yukarı analitik uzanım yöntemi kullanılarak elde edilen Bouguer anomalisi değerlerine uygulanmış tilt açısı yöntemi sonuçlarında önemli bir farklılık gözlenmiştir. Aynı farklılık yukarı analitik uzanım uygulanmış Bouguer anomalilerinin düşey yönlü türevinin tilt açısı sonuçlarında da saptanmıştır. Bölge genelinde tilt açısı ve düşey yönlü türevin tilt açısı metodu sonuçlarından derinlik değerlerinin 7 ile 43 km arasında değiştiği saptanmıştır. Ayrıca elde edilen bulgular bölgede önceden yapılmış jeolojik, jeofi zik çalışmalar ile karşılaştırılmış ve sismik aktivite ile birlikte irdelenmiştir.

A microgravity investigation on bedrock topography was conducted at Maluri park reference level in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The study aim to mapping the near-surface structure and soil and land cover distribution for geography and geophysics surveys. Two types of crosssection modeling of the residual anomaly generated the MaluriBouguer Anomaly model for site-1 and site-2 at Maluri Park. The 2D microgravity models produced the contour map, displaying the characterization due to density contrast in rock types while mapping the subsurface geological structure at different depths. Moreover, a synthetic model was initiated with the assumption of lateral distance on the left and right sides taken at 50 m and a depth of 60 m. The results of modeling confirmed that the soil and rock type composition on both models site tests are topsoil (1.1 to 1.92 g/cm³), soil (1.8 g/cm³), clay (1.63 g/cm³), gravel (1.7 g/cm³), sand (2.0 g/cm³), shale (2.4 g/cm³), sandstone (2.76 g/cm³), and limestone (2.9 g/cm³). The 2D gravity modeling using two model site tests obtained a correspondence with the observed microgravity data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The NW Iberian continental margin has a complex structure, resulting from the succession of several rifting episodes close to a ridge triple junction, and a superimposed partial tectonic inversion stage. The wide-ranging physiography matches the diverse tectonic deformation domains related to its evolution. Each deformation domain has a distinctive gravity signal, so the detailed Bouguer anomaly map presented here is a good first approach to the regional study of the whole margin. Moreover, as the presented chart is a complete Bouguer anomaly map (including terrain corrections), its analysis and interpretation can be done in terms of density, geometry and depth variations below the seafloor. This map is mainly based on the dataset obtained during seven one-month surveys carried out in the frame of the Spanish Economic Exclusive Zone project, and also includes two 2 + 3/4D density models illustrating the deep structure of the margin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Application of gravity method to identify the subsurface geological structures. • Regional and residual trend separation. • Application of edge detection filters. • Used 3-D gravity inversion for depth estimation and geometry of the reservoir. The Arta geothermal prospect is located in the southern part of the Gulf of Tadjoura, 45 km west of Djibouti city. This study uses 398 gravity data stations collected by the Djiboutian Office for Geothermal Energy Development (ODDEG) from February to May 2018. The geothermal activity of the Arta area is revealed by surface thermal manifestations, such as near-boiling fumaroles (98 °C). This study aims to delineate the subsurface geological structures responsible for surface geothermal manifestations and define the depth and geometry of the geothermal reservoir in the study area. A Complete Bouguer anomaly was obtained using a Bouguer density of 2.55 g/cm3, derived as an average density from the F-H, G-H and CVUR methods. A regional and residual anomaly trend separation method was applied to focus on the structures of interest in the study area, and a residual Bouguer anomaly map was obtained. Edge detection filters, including Horizontal Derivatives (HD) and an Improved Normalized Horizontal tilt angle (INH), were used to examine the gravity data for edge identification. The density was then modelled in three-dimensional (3-D), utilizing the VOXI Earth Modeling Tool performed in Geosoft Oasis Montaj. The model was constrained using estimated lower (-0.35 g/cm3) and upper (0.65 g/cm3) bound density values from the expected density values of the local geology. The Bouguer and residual anomaly maps show a high-density body in the central part, surrounded by low-anomaly structures. The high-density body is interpreted as an intrusive body covering the basement of the study area. The anomalies imaged from HD and INH indicate a significant number of high gradient anomalies trending N-S, NE-SW, and NW-SE, corresponding to the trend of the geological structures of the Arta geothermal prospect. These high-gradient anomalies can be interpreted as faults, contact zones, or geological boundaries. The 3-D model imaged a high-density anomaly trending N-S in the central part at 2 and 3 km below sea level with a volume of about 126 km3 and an average block density of 2.66 g/cm3, interpreted as magma intrusion or intrusive volcanic rocks. The 3-D vertical cross-sections revealed that the intrusion is visible at depth and that some intrusions could be seen at the surface and near surface. The findings of this gravity study will contribute to the overall and future geothermal exploration and development of the Arta geothermal prospect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Pelotas Batholith corresponds to the eastern margin of the Dom Feliciano Belt in southernmost Brazil. It comprises multiple intrusions formed by successive tectonic-magmatic processes during the Brasiliano / Pan-African Cycle. One of these intrusive igneous bodies is the Piquiri Syenite Massif (PSM), recently described as a multi-intrusive body formed by three successive pulses, dated by LA-MC-ICP-MS (U-Pb in zircon), with the oldest pulse located at the margins and the youngest in the centre of the intrusion. Pulse 1 (609.3 ± 1.5 Ma) comprises fine- to medium-grained equigranular syenite to quartz syenite and alkali-feldspar quartz syenite, with colour index M′15–30. Pulse 2 (603.4 ± 3.9 Ma) comprises medium- to coarse-grained equigranular alkali-feldspar syenite and alkali-feldspar quartz syenite, with colour index M′ 5–15 and fragments of Pulse 1 varieties. Pulse 3 (588.8 ± 3.1 to 583.2 ± 1.8)comprises medium- to coarse-grained inequigranular quartz syenites, with colour index M′ 2–10, containing fragments of pulses 1 and 2 varieties. As defined by the AMS data, the PSM magnetic fabric is concordant with the magmatic fabric, parallel to the outer edges of the body, dipping towards the centre. However, the construction and emplacement of the body have been the subject of different interpretations. The main objective of this work is to relate the general morphology of the massif and the behaviour of the pulses within the massif with the processes of formation and ascent of the magmas that have built it. For this, terrestrial geophysical surveys were carried out to obtain gravimetric data, with which the Bouguer Anomaly map was generated. Modelling by gravimetric inversion was carried out in nine profiles using tools from the Oasis Montaj software, which was the basis for constructing a three-dimensional geological model using the Leapfrog Geo software. Associating the geological model with the magmatic and magnetic foliations, including the magnetic lineation, it was possible to determine a change in behaviour between the youngest and the two oldest pulses related to the ascension process. In addition, the body's general shape, with the greatest depths located in the eastern region, allowed us to relate the rise of magma to a structure in the region. • Nine sections across the Piquiri Syenite Massif were used to model gravity anomalies. • Gravity anomaly model correlates with anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility data. • The pluton was built by three successive syenite magma pulses. • The magma pulses were added by two different emplacement mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The existing Bouguer anomaly map, which covers the territory of the Republic of Slovenia is a few decades old. Since then, quite a few new gravimetric measurements (data) for the territory of Slovenia as well as high quality digital terrain models that are needed for creating such a map have been made available. The methodology and standards for creating gravity anomaly maps are also changing. Thus, the national Bouguer anomaly map was updated. There were some gross errors detected in the set of old gravimetric data. Additionally, the influence of new updated gravimetric data was analyzed. The comparison of the various maps and the analysis of the influence of input gravimetric data indicates that the new gravimetric data of Slovenia has a significant influence on the creation of the gravimetric anomaly maps for Slovenia (even over 30 mGals at some points).