Interpretation of satellite gravity anomalies with pseudo-depth slicing method filter in Turkey

Abstract

In this study, discontinuities and major tectonic boundaries are interpreted in and around Turkey by Bouguer gravity anomaly. The World Gravity Map 2012 Bouguer anomaly is used for the interpretation of major tectonic features in the Anatolia Region. The World Gravity Map 2012 comprises land, marine, airborne surveys as well as altimetry and gravity satellite measurements. Radial average power spectrum (RAPS) and band-pass filtering are used for long and short wavelength separation. Short wavelength anomalies are generally associated with the shallower geological structures whereas long-wavelength data result from the deeper source. For the whole study area, four depth segments are detected. Moreover, the radial average depths of these depth segments are 54.9 km, 32.2 km, 21.9 km and 8.0 km. In order to conduct better interpretation, the study area was divided into three subareas from the west to the east (area 1 to area 3). In area 1 (41.4 km, 21.2 km and 7.8 km) and area 2 (48.1 km, 20.0 km and 6.6 km), three depth sources are detected. Furthermore, four various depth segments are analysed in area 3 (54.3 km, 29.8 km, 20.8 km and 8.6 km). The present study was designed to interpret the whole study area and the sub-areas (area 1, area 2 and area 3) via combined geophysical and qualitative interpretation techniques. In order to justify the qualitative interpretation, a quantitative edge detection method is used. The interpretation of the whole study area, area 1, area 2 and area 3 showed that depth of the sediment accumulation in the Western Anatolia is estimated as 7.8 km. Furthermore, crustal thickening in the Eastern Anatolia is interpreted from pseudo-depth slices.