Methodology for interpreting 3-D marine gravity gradiometry data

Abstract

New high‐resolution multicomponent gravity gradient data now becoming commercially available yield important subsurface information when properly modeled. Gravity gradients represent minute variations in the 3-D gravity field. Txx represents the gradient in the x direction of the x component of the gravity (Gx). Tyy represents the gradient in the y direction of the y component of the gravity (Gy). Tyz represents the gradient in the y direction of the vertical component of the gravity (Gz). Tzz represents the vertical gradient of the vertical component of the gravity (Gz), and so forth. The measured gravity gradients thus provide a more detailed picture of the subsurface by reflecting the edges, shape, and approximate depth of dominant mass anomalies.