Monitoring of secular gravity change in southern California

Abstract

Abstract Repeat gravity measurements have been carried out over more than 1000 km of level lines in southern California. The initial surveys over a number of these lines were made in 1962. Repeat gravity survey lines are located primarily in the San Joaquin Valley, in the Los Angeles and Palmdale areas and in the Imperial Valley. Secular changes of gravity have been noted in a number of areas. In areas of subsidence, due to groundwater withdrawal, direct correlation between elevation and gravity change is found. In areas of vertical crustal motion along fault zones, such as in the Palmdale area, gravity changes are also noted. However, these are not, in general, directly related to elevation change. Apparently, subsurface mass redistributions are associated with the vertical motions noted in fault-zone areas before and after earthquakes. Several possible models to explain the gravity observations are being explored.