Airborne Gravity Gradiometry Data Research Articles

Modeling Gravity Gradients from Surface Gravity Anomaly Data

Gravity gradients are useful to characterize near mass anomalies since they are much more sensitive to short wavelength anomalies than gravitational accelerations. Estimating gravity gradients from surface gravity data is based on numerical implementations of solutions to geodetic boundary value problem for determination of disturbing potential. One of methods to solve this problem is least-squares collocation which is basically based on data and a defined covariance function. This study deals with estimating gravity gradient tensor components from along track surface gravity anomaly data. The Least-Squares Collocation solution is based on a stationary local covariance function defined for the disturbing potential which allows upward continuation of the observations to a desired altitude. The modeling method is evaluated in using Earth Gravitational Model 2008(EGM2008) and real airborne gravity gradiometry data collected over Southern Texas, Oklahoma region. The results show that modeled gravity gradients estimated in both on the ground and at a certain altitude have basically good agreement with EGM08 gradients. Modeled gradients including horizontal components in the east-west direction exhibit some discrepancies in comparison to the airborne gradiometry data, which may be attributed to some measurement errors in the gradient data.

Joint Gramian inversion of gravity, magnetic and gravity gradient tensor data for the modelling of Mesoproterozoic iron oxide deposits, southeast Missouri, USA

SUMMARY Within the iron metallogenic province of southeast Missouri, USA, there are several mines that contain not only economic iron resources, magnetite and/or hematite, but also contain rare earth elements, copper and gold. An area including three major deposits, Pea Ridge, Bourbon and Kratz Spring, was selected for detailed modelling for the upper crustal magnetic susceptibility and density structures. For the study area, ground gravity and high-resolution airborne magnetic and gravity gradiometry data sets are available. An efficient and novel joint inversion algorithm for the simultaneous inversion of these multiple data sets is presented. The Gramian coupling constraint is used to correlate the reconstructed density and magnetic susceptibility models. The implementation relies on the structures of the sensitivity matrices and an efficient minimization algorithm to achieve significant reductions in the memory requirements and computational costs. Consequently, it is feasible to use a laptop computer for the inversion of multiple data sets, each containing thousands of data points, for the recovery of models on the study area, each including approximately one million model parameters. This is the first time that these multiple data sets have been simultaneously inverted for this area. The L1-norm stabilizer is used to provide compact and focused images of the ore deposits. For contrast, independent inversions of each data set are also discussed. In general, our results provide new insights about the concealed ore deposits in the Mesoproterozoic basement rocks of southeast Missouri. Both short- and long-wavelength anomalies exist in the recovered models; these provide a high-resolution image of the subsurface. The geometry and physical properties of the known deposits are determined very well. Additionally, some unknown concealed deposits are revealed; these could be economically valuable and should be considered in future geophysical and geological investigations.

2D seismic design on frontier basins using potential field data, a case study in the south of the eastern arm of the East African Rift System

AbstractThe 2D seismic design for a frontier basin was conducted from potential field data and available geological information using a case of a Block within the East African Rift System. The Block forms part of a southern extension of the eastern branch of the East African Rift System. The most significant structural features of the Block within this part of the rift were mapped using Airborne Gravity Gradiometry data along A, B and C sub‐basin boundaries. The Block covers a total area of more than 10,107 km2 in the central north of Tanzania. The 2D seismic lines were planned to intersect the major structures within the Block, in which a total of 1074 line kilometres from 18 seismic lines were proposed. The spatial sampling interval of 12.5 m with a minimum of two samples per wavelength was deemed adequate for a frontier basin, as would record dips well above 15° limit from the minimum target of 2000 m. The relevant source spacing may be suitable if tested, and the required energy has been recorded. These parameters, though may need refining depending on the field, are proposed for a good resolution imaging and wide bandwidth recording of complex geology for a frontier basin. The seismic design provided the basis for the economic evaluation of the possible survey to be undertaken for a frontier basin. The suggested parameters allow for the flexibility of inclusion or improvement in any subsequent study related to the seismic acquisition in a Block with similar characteristics.

The Advantage Analysis of 3-D Inversion of Airborne Gravity Gradiometry Data With Larger Sampling Interval

Airborne gravity gradiometry is an effective tool for its high efficiency and sensitivity to the interesting buried targets, which has been increasingly introduced in mineral and petroleum exploration. When compared to gravimetry, full tensor gradient (FTG) measurements provide higher resolution and signal-to-noise ratio. In this article, we build and test models with different sampling intervals and compare the performances of individual components or their combinations in minimum structure inversion to evaluate the benefits of FTG combinations. As part of a theoretical study, the singular value spectrum (SVS) and depth-resolution plot (DRP) are examined to determine how much information and resolution different datasets provide in the underdetermined inverse problem. The synthetic examples show that integrating more components in inversion improves the resolution of the recovered model, and the inversion result of gravity or individual component cannot accurately restore the distribution of anomalous bodies. With the increasing sampling interval, joint inversion of FTG data still provides enough information corresponding to the source density distribution, and the limit survey interval is tested through models. In addition, we use a real survey over the Vinton dome as a case study and discover that <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$V_{\mathrm {zz}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> component fails to reconstruct the caprock model at coarse line spacing, whereas FTG combinations recover the acceptable geometry flawlessly. It also reflects the benefit of FTG combinations for inversion processing, which reduces the interference of measured noise on inversion results and allows for longer sampling intervals during the survey, effectively lowering the cost of an airborne survey and improving exploration efficiency

High-Resolution Cooperate Density-Integrated Inversion Method of Airborne Gravity and Its Gradient Data

Airborne (or satellite) gravity measurement is a commonly used remote sensing method to obtain the underground density distribution. Airborne gravity gradiometry data have a higher horizontal resolution to shallower causative sources than airborne gravity anomaly, so joint exploration of airborne gravity and its gradient data can simultaneously obtain the anomaly feature of sources with different depths. The most commonly used joint inversion method of gravity and its gradient data is the data combined method, which is to combine all the components into a data matrix as mutual constraints to reduce ambiguity and non-uniqueness. In order to obtain higher resolution results, we proposed a cooperate density-integrated inversion method of airborne gravity and its gradient data, which firstly carried out the joint inversion using cross-gradient constraints to obtain two density structures, and then fused two recovered models into a result through Fourier transform; finally, data combined joint inversion of airborne gravity, and gradient data were reperformed to achieve high-resolution density result using fused density results as a reference model. Compared to the data combined joint inversion method, the proposed cooperate density-integrated inversion method can obtain higher resolution and more accurate density distribution of shallow and deep bodies meanwhile. We also applied it to real data in the mining area of western Liaoning Province, China. The results showed that the depth of the skarn-type iron mine in the region is about 900–1300 m and gives a more specific distribution compared to the geological results, which provided reliable data for the next exploration plan.

Recovering Magnetization of Rock Formations by Jointly Inverting Airborne Gravity Gradiometry and Total Magnetic Intensity Data

Conventional 3D magnetic inversion methods are based on the assumption that there is no remanent magnetization, and the inversion is run for magnetic susceptibility only. This approach is well-suited to targeting mineralization; however, it ignores the situation where the direction of magnetization of the rock formations is different from the direction of the induced magnetic field. We present a novel method of recovering a spatial distribution of magnetization vector within the rock formation based on joint inversion of airborne gravity gradiometry (AGG) and total magnetic intensity (TMI) data for a shared earth model. Increasing the number of inversion parameters (the scalar components of magnetization vector) results in a higher degree of non-uniqueness of the inverse problem. This increase of non-uniqueness rate can be remedied by joint inversion based on (1) Gramian constraints or (2) joint focusing stabilizers. The Gramian constraints enforce shared earth structure through a correlation of the model gradients. The joint focusing stabilizers also enforce the structural similarity and are implemented using minimum support or minimum gradient support approaches. Both novel approaches are applied to the interpretation of the airborne data collected over the Thunderbird V-Ti-Fe deposit in Ontario, Canada. By combining the complementary AGG and TMI data, we generate jointly inverted shared earth models that provide a congruent image of the rock formations hosting the mineral deposit.

Maintaining line of sight in oil and gas exploration: A case study from Mahakam Delta, Indonesia

In all exploration processes, the evaluation of basins, permits, and individual prospects changes over time with incremental availability and quality of data, technical effort expended, and knowledge gained. The NU prospect, located in the Mahakam Hilir PSC (East Kalimantan), is an example in which geologic chance of success (GCOS) predictions can change over time with increasing acquisition and availability of geophysical and geologic data and the studies done on them. We show how studies done on any one prospect or group of prospects can progressively increase/decrease the chance of at least one success in an exploration campaign of several wells. After a series of four wells was drilled in the PSC, which did not deliver commercial success, a change in approach was required to continue exploration. This included the acquisition of airborne gravity gradiometry data, initial trial prestack depth migration (PSDM) reprocessing of two key 1989 vintage 2D lines, acquisition of vintage well data from four Sambutan Field wells, acquisition of nine vintage 2D seismic lines over the field, and PSDM reprocessing of the nine 2D seismic lines. All data were then integrated to build a new geologic model. As a result, the NU prospect GCOS progressively moved from less than 10% to nearly 40%.

Posterror Compensation of Moving-Base Rotating Accelerometer Gravity Gradiometer

Mounting requirements of a rotating accelerometer gravity gradiometer (RAGG) beyond the art of manufacture, the RAGG is susceptible to the motion of itself. Motion error is a main source of error in airborne gravity gradiometry data. This study presented a posterror compensation method, which consists of postmotion error compensation and post-self-gradient compensation. The motion error and self-gradients are compensated before that the combined output of the four accelerometers is quadrature amplitude demodulated. The motion error compensation is based on the RAGG analytical model; motion response of the RAGG (namely, motion error) is related well to the motion of the RAGG, independent of the gravitational gradient response; recording the motion status of the RAGG, with least squares regression method and the RAGG analytical model, the motion response of the RAGG are separated and removed. RAGG numerical simulation experiment results show that the postmotion error compensation method is feasible, and its limit accuracy could reach 0.5 E/√Hz.

3-D joint inversion of seismic waveform and airborne gravity gradiometry data

SUMMARYSeismic full waveform inversion (FWI) is a robust velocity model building technique for hydrocarbon exploration. However, the density reconstruction within the framework of multiparameter FWI leads to more degrees of freedom in the parametrization, and the sensitivity of the inversion change significantly from velocity to density, thereby increasing the ill-posedness of the inverse problem. Gravity gradiometry data inversion is an effective method for resolving density distribution. Combining gravity gradiometry data in FWI could alleviate the non-linearity of the inversion by contributing additional density information for the velocity model building. I develop a 3-D joint seismic waveform and gravity gradiometry inversion method for estimating the velocity and density distribution in the subsurface. The method alternatingly minimizes the waveform and gravity gradiometry misfit. The cross-gradient constraint is applied to enhance the structural similarity between the density and velocity models. The effectiveness of the joint inversion algorithm is demonstrated by a 3-D checkerboard model and 3-D SEAM model. Synthetic examples demonstrate that the joint inversion can improve the image quality in geologically complex areas. A case study from the South China Sea shows that the joint inversion improves the velocity and density solutions compared to a standalone seismic FWI. The joint inversion results are consistent with the pre-stack depth migration section and the shape of the salt body is well resolved.

Targeting Geothermal Exploration Using Airborne Multi-geophysics, Kutcharo Caldera, Teshikaga Area

Multiple geophysical techniques have been applied to geothermal exploration within the Teshikaga area. The three-dimensional inversion of HeliFalcon® airborne gravity gradiometry (AGG) data has enabled a detailed interpretation of subsurface features. The vertically elongated high-density anomalies beneath lava domes located near Wakoto Peninsula and Mt. Atosanupuri are interpreted as subsurface intrusive bodies, while low-density anomalous feature to the depth represents the Kutcharo caldera structure, which was filled with large scale of low-density pyroclastic materials. Helitem® electromagnetic data acquired in combination with the AGG data revealed a widespread conductive anomaly west of Mt. Atosanupuri, which may represent the cap rocks to a geothermal reservoir. The distribution of a low magnetic intensity zone matches that of a low-resistivity zone, suggesting that magnetite degradation and demagnetization possibly occur, most likely caused by hydrothermal activities. Integrated interpretation of airborne gravity gradiometer, electromagnetic and magnetic data helps with identification of prospective areas and planning of a drilling program for the development of geothermal energy with greater precision.

3D inversion of airborne gravity gradiometry data for the Budgell Harbour Stock, Newfoundland: A case history using a probabilistic approach

We have studied the Mesozoic Budgell Harbour Stock, a gabbroic intrusion in north-central Newfoundland, Canada, using 3D inversion of airborne gravity gradiometry data based on a probabilistic inversion method. Significantly, differences were observed between the results when inverting the single [Formula: see text] component and when inverting the 5C combination. We also found that the [Formula: see text] model failed to reproduce the long-wavelength signals from other components, whereas the model recovered from five components accommodated all of the signals from all of the components. To estimate the influence of long-wavelength signals from targets other than the intrusion, such as deeper bodies or large-scale terrain variations, inversion tests are performed on a synthetic model. The inversion results for the synthetic example indicate that the joint inversion of five components is more sensitive to long-wavelength signals, which can generate spurious structures to fit all of the signals from the five components. In contrast, the [Formula: see text] model is less affected by the long-wavelength signals and thus tends to produce a stable solution, despite failing to incorporate all of the long-wavelength signals from the tensor data. We found that gravity gradiometry data could be used to delineate the intrusion within this study area, which is also consistent with the susceptibility model recovered from inversion of aeromagnetic data and with results from a previous geophysical study. Moreover, the differences between the [Formula: see text] model and the 5C model may reflect the long-wavelength signals in the gravity gradiometry data.

Applying laterally varying density corrections to ground gravity and airborne gravity gradiometry data: a case study from the Bathurst Mining Camp

The influence of topography on gravity and gravity gradiometry measurements is profound and should be minimized prior to geological interpretation. The standard way of minimizing these effects is through the computation of a terrain correction. Terrain corrections require two inputs: topography and density. Often, geology and topography are inextricably intertwined: topography is caused by a change in geology. In geologic environments where there is a structural and (or) stratigraphic control on the near-surface mass distribution, using a single density value in the corrections leads to removal of the topographic effect of rocks having the chosen density. Any remaining gravity signal that correlates with topography is providing geological information. If the objective is to produce a gravity map with minimal topographic signal, then a regionally variable density correction is a means of compensating for this effect. In this paper, we demonstrate how to apply a spatially variable density correction using ground gravity and airborne gravity gradiometry data for the geologically complex Bathurst Mining Camp, northern New Brunswick, Canada. Ground gravity and airborne full tensor gravity gradiometry measurements are subdivided into a series of domains on the basis of the underlying tectonostratigraphic group. Terrain and Bouguer corrections are calculated for each domain using representative density values obtained from drill core and surface sampling throughout the Bathurst Mining Camp. The output from the spatially variable density correction is then compared with previous maps. Overall, the differences are subtle, but the spatially variably density allows for isolated anomalies to be better resolved.

DEM sourcing guidelines for computing 1 Eö accurate terrain corrections for airborne gravity gradiometry

In this paper we investigate digital elevation model (DEM) sourcing requirements to compute gravity gradiometry terrain corrections accurate to 1Eötvös (Eö) at observation heights of 80m or more above ground. Such survey heights are typical in fixed-wing airborne surveying for resource exploration where the maximum signal-to-noise ratio is sought. We consider the accuracy of terrain corrections relevant for recent commercial airborne gravity gradiometry systems operating at the 10Eö noise level and for future systems with a target noise level of 1Eö. We focus on the requirements for the vertical gradient of the vertical component of gravity (Gdd) because this element of the gradient tensor is most commonly interpreted qualitatively and quantitatively.Terrain correction accuracy depends on the bare-earth DEM accuracy and spatial resolution. The bare-earth DEM accuracy and spatial resolution depends on its source. Two possible sources are considered: airborne LiDAR and Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM). The accuracy of an SRTM DEM is affected by vegetation height. The SRTM footprint is also larger and the DEM resolution is thus lower. However, resolution requirements relax as relief decreases. Publicly available LiDAR data and 1arc-second and 3arc-second SRTM data were selected over four study areas representing end member cases of vegetation cover and relief.The four study areas are presented as reference material for processing airborne gravity gradiometry data at the 1Eö noise level with 50m spatial resolution. From this investigation we find that to achieve 1Eö accuracy in the terrain correction at 80m height airborne LiDAR data are required even when terrain relief is a few tens of meters and the vegetation is sparse. However, as satellite ranging technologies progress bare-earth DEMs of sufficient accuracy and resolution may be sourced at lesser cost. We found that a bare-earth DEM of 10m resolution and 2m accuracy are sufficient for achieving 1Eö accuracy in the terrain correction independent of relief or vegetation cover. For AGG systems operating at greater noise levels the 3arc-second SRTM is adequate for areas having tens of meters of relief and sparse vegetation and even for areas of greater relief and sparse vegetation if a constant elevation survey is flown at 80m above terrain peak.

Magnetic and Gravity Gradiometry Framework for Mesoproterozoic Iron Oxide-Apatite and Iron Oxide-Copper-Gold Deposits, Southeast Missouri

High-resolution airborne magnetic and gravity gradiometry data provide the geophysical framework for evaluating the exploration potential of hidden iron oxide deposits in Mesoproterozoic basement rocks of southeast Missouri. The data are used to calculate mineral prospectivity for iron oxide-apatite (IOA) ± rare earth element (REE) and iron oxide-copper-gold (IOCG) deposits. Results delineate the geophysical footprints of all known iron oxide deposits and reveal several previously unrecognized prospective areas. The airborne data are also inverted to three-dimensional density and magnetic susceptibility models over four concealed deposits at Pea Ridge (IOA ± REE), Boss (IOCG), Kratz Spring (IOA), and Bourbon (IOCG). The Pea Ridge susceptibility model shows a magnetic source that is vertically extensive and traceable to a depth of greater than 2 km. A smaller density source, located within the shallow Precambrian basement, is partly coincident with the magnetic source at Pea Ridge. In contrast, the Boss models show a large (625-m-wide), vertically extensive, and coincident dense and magnetic stock with shallower adjacent lobes that extend more than 2,600 m across the shallow Precambrian paleosurface. The Kratz Spring deposit appears to be a smaller volume of iron oxides and is characterized by lower density and less magnetic rock compared to the other iron deposits. A prospective area identified south of the Kratz Spring deposit shows the largest volume of coincident dense and nonmagnetic rock in the subsurface, and is interpreted as prospective for a hematite-dominant lithology that extends from the top of the Precambrian to depths exceeding 2 km. The Bourbon deposit displays a large bowl-shaped volume of coincident high density and high-magnetic susceptibility rock, and a geometry that suggests the iron mineralization is vertically restricted to the upper parts of the Precambrian basement. In order to underpin the evaluation of the prospectivity and three-dimensional models, an extensive statistical summary of density and apparent magnetic susceptibility measurements is presented that includes data on several hundred samples taken from the deposits, altered wall rocks, and unaltered country rocks.

Airborne gravity gradiometer surveying of petroleum systems under Lake Tanganyika, Tanzania

The Lake Tanganyika South petroleum exploration block covers the southern portion of the Tanzanian side of Lake Tanganyika and is located within the East African Rift System. The rifting process has formed rotated fault blocks which provide numerous play types in the resulting basins. Interpretation of 2D seismic data from 1984 indicated that sufficient sediment thickness is present for hydrocarbon generation. The prospectivity of the lake sediment sequence is enhanced by large oil discoveries further north along the rift system at Lake Albert in Uganda. Airborne gravity gradiometry (AGG) has been used in the Lake Albert region to delineate the structural framework of sedimentary basins.Based on this analogy, in 2010 Beach Energy commissioned CGG to fly a FALCON AGG and high-resolution airborne magnetic survey over the Lake Tanganyika South block to provide data for mapping the basin architecture and estimating the depth to magnetic basement. A total of nearly 28000 line kilometres of data were acquired.The subsequent interpretation incorporated the AGG and magnetic data with available 2D seismic data, elevation model data, bathymetry, Landsat and regional geology information.The integrated data interpretation revealed that the Lake Tanganyika rifting structures occur as half-grabens that were formed through reactivation of Precambrian fault structures. Two major depocentres were identified in the magnetic depth-to-basement map in the north and in the west-central part of the survey area with sediment thicknesses in excess of 4 km and 3 km, respectively. Smaller, shallower depocentres (with less than 3 km of sediment) occur in the south-western region. This information was used to plan a 2100 km 2D marine seismic survey that was recorded in 2012. An interpretation of the results from the seismic survey confirmed a rifting structure similar to that encountered further north at Lake Albert in Uganda. Several targets were identified from the seismic sections for follow-up.

Fast 3D inversion of airborne gravity-gradiometry data using Lanczos bidiagonalization method

We developed a new fast inversion method for to process and interpret airborne gravity gradiometry data, which was based on Lanczos bidiagonalization algorithm. Here, we describe the application of this new 3D gravity gradiometry inversion method to recover a subsurface density distribution model from the airborne measured gravity gradiometry anomalies. For this purpose, the survey area is divided into a large number of rectangular cells with each cell possessing a constant unknown density. It is well known that the solution of large linear gravity gradiometry is an ill-posed problem since using the smoothest inversion method is considerably time consuming. We demonstrate that the Lanczos bidiagonalization method can be an appropriate algorithm to solve a Tikhonov solver time cost function for resolving the large equations within a short time. Lanczos bidiagonalization is designed to make the very large gravity gradiometry forward modeling matrices to become low-rank, which will considerably reduce the running time of the inversion method. We also use a weighted generalized cross validation method to choose the appropriate Tikhonov parameter to improve inversion results. The inversion incorporates a model norm that allows us to attain the smoothing and depth of the solution; in addition, the model norm counteracts the natural decay of the kernels, which concentrate at shallow depths. The method is applied on noise-contaminated synthetic gravity gradiometry data to demonstrate its suitability for large 3D gravity gradiometry data inversion. The airborne gravity gradiometry data from the Vinton Salt Dome, USE, were considered as a case study. The validity of the new method on real data is discussed with reference to the Vinton Dome inversion result. The intermediate density values in the constructed model coincide well with previous results and geological information. This demonstrates the validity of the gravity gradiometry inversion method.

New Geological Insights from the Barbwire Terrace using Falcon5 Data, Canning Basin

The Barbwire Terrace in the Canning Basin has always presented explorers with an enigma. It has long held interest for hydrocarbon explorers and also mineral explorers looking for 'Mississippi Valley Type' sulphide mineralisation, being on the opposite side of the Fitzroy Trough to the Lennard Shelf (host to multiple oil fields and MVT's in the Cadjebut/Kapok area) (Copp, 2008). Seismic interpretation on the Barbwire Terrace has been difficult, not only due to the paucity of modern reflection seismic data, but also due to the difficulty in imaging through the carbonate/dolomites of the Pillara and Nullara sections. The Airborne Gravity Gradiometry (AGG) survey was designed to capture a large comprehensive grid of geophysical information about the southern margin of the Fitzroy Trough. The survey is instrumental in providing a greater understanding of an area of the Canning Basin that is poorly understood, yet has had many hydrocarbon shows and indications. While CGG undertook a more traditional workflow of interpreting the AGG, aeromagnetics and seismic data, a parallel approach, using Geoproxima processing technology (differential geometric analysis for digital data) provided additional insights on features and objects not readily recognisable using traditional colour bar stretches and sun illumination.

Lithologic characterization using airborne gravity gradient and aeromagnetic data for mineral exploration: A case study in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero, Brazil

We present a study on utilizing airborne gravity gradient and magnetic data to characterize an iron ore formation in Minas Gerais, Brazil. The target iron ore bodies have a distinctly high density contrast and produce well-defined anomalies in airborne gravity gradiometry data. The high-grade hematite iron ores are associated with low and moderate susceptibility, making magnetic data useful in distinguishing potential ore bodies from the host iron formation. The airborne gravity gradient and magnetic data over part of the Gandarela Syncline iron formation in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero are independently inverted to obtain a 3D susceptibility and density contrast model. These detailed 3D physical property distributions of subsurface features are then used for geologic characterization and interpretation purposes through lithologic associations. We outline two approaches to link the two physical property distributions and identify representative geologic units in the study area. The geologic units are then organized into a 3D lithology model to help characterize subsurface geologic structure and ore distribution. The lithologic models provide an intuitive representation of the geology and can assist in future exploration plans or in assessment of resource distribution and quality. Our study demonstrates that such approaches are feasible on the deposit scale.

3D inversion of airborne gravity-gradiometry data using cokriging

We developed a new method for interpretation of airborne gravity gradiometry data, based on cokriging inversion. The cokriging method that we evaluated minimized the theoretical estimation error variance by using auto- and crosscorrelations of several variables. It does not require iterations and can easily include complex a priori information. Moreover, the smoothing effects in the inverted density structure model can be reduced to a certain extent due to the anisotropy constrain in the covariance model. We compared the recovered models obtained by inverting the different combinations of gravity-gradient components to understand how different component combinations contributed to the resolution of the recovered model. The results indicated that including multiple components for inversion increased the resolution of the recovered density model and improved the structure delineation. Moreover, in the case in which the parameters of the variogram model are not well chosen, cokriging with multicomponent combinations can still correctly recover the geometry of the targeted sources. The survey data of the Vinton dome were considered as a case study. The results of the inversion were in good agreement with the known formation in the region. This supports the validity of our method.

Geometric shapes derived from airborne gravity gradiometry data: New tools for the explorationist

We display airborne gravity gradient data using curvature attributes of the equipotential surface to derive geometric shapes that can be associated with structural and geologic features. Concepts used in differential geometry that describe all geometric aspects of a surface are applied to airborne gravity gradiometry data. Gravity gradient components are ideal for this application because they are related to curvature of the gravitational potential. We also emphasize that with gravity methods, the surfaces for which the curvature attributes are derived represent the succession of equipotential surfaces, which, under favorable circumstances, correspond to one or more geologic surfaces that dominate the signature of the airborne gravity gradiometry data.