Some constraints on the form of the Welsh Basin from regional gravity and aeromagnetic data, with particular reference to Central Wales

Abstract

AbstractGravity and aeromagnetic data sets provide systematic coverage over the whole of the Welsh Basin. Physical property information shows considerable overlap in densities within the Lower Palaeozoic and Precambrian formations, with relatively few units of the exposed succession being strongly magnetic. While the geophysical anomalies cannot be interpreted unambiguously in terms of these sources, the data can still be used to test different geological models and to indicate the range of possible solutions. The major fault zones are seen to influence the anomaly patterns in a variety of ways, reflecting a combination of differing near-surface contrasts and effects within the underlying basement. The general increase in gravity values towards Cardigan Bay may originate from the lower crust, and the large amplitude aeromagnetic low seen over Cardigan Bay indicates that a distinctive change in the character of the crust occurs here. Two-dimensional modelling in central Wales shows that a westward thickening of the Welsh Basin, to a maximum of about 10 km, may also be significant. It is necessary to postulate a separation of the base of denser, Lower Palaeozoic rocks from the underlying, more magnetic basement in order to account for offsets in anomaly source locations. This implies the presence of less dense Cambrian sediments and/or non-magnetic components of the Precambrian basement.