Gravity Profiles Research Articles

Crustal Heterogeneity Onshore Central Spitsbergen: Insights From New Gravity and Vintage Geophysical Data

AbstractGravity data provide constraints on lateral subsurface density variations and thus provide crucial insights into the geological evolution of the region. Previously, gravity data from the Norwegian Arctic archipelago of Svalbard comprised an onshore regional gravity database with coarse station spacing of 2–20 km, offshore gravity profiles acquired in some fjords, airborne gravity, and satellite altimetry. The sparse regional point‐based onshore coverage hampered the direct integration of gravity data with seismic profiles acquired onshore Svalbard in the late 1980s and early 1990s. In April 2022, we acquired gravity data at 260 new stations along seven profiles from western to eastern Spitsbergen, with a cumulative length of 329 km. The profiles were acquired directly along selected seismic profiles and provide much closer station spacing (0.5–2 km) compared to the regional inland grid (2–20 km) acquired in the late 1980s (total number of onshore stations: 1,037). Having processed the data, we compared the first‐order density trends of our new data with the legacy regional grid. The new gravity data are consistent with the regional data, imaging a gravity low in the western part of the area underlying a foreland basin and a gravity high in the northwestern part of the area likely associated with a basement high or denser basement. We compare the new and vintage gravity using maps and profiles, linked to the known major tectonic features such as major basinal axes and fault zones, as well as other geophysical data sets including seismics and magnetics.

3‐D Subsurface Geophysical Modeling of the Charity Shoal Structure: A Probable Late Proterozoic‐Early Paleozoic Simple Impact Structure in Eastern Lake Ontario

AbstractThe Charity Shoal structure is a circular, ∼1.2‐km‐diameter, bedrock‐rimmed shoal in eastern Lake Ontario with a ∼20‐m‐deep central basin. The structure has been proposed as a possible Middle Ordovician impact crater or volcanic intrusion. We conducted marine seismic and magnetic surveys (9‐km2) and 3‐D geophysical modeling to better resolve the Charity Shoal subsurface geology and possible origins. Three models were evaluated: (a) a buried (>450 m) impact structure in Mesoproterozoic basement, (b) a maar‐diatreme, (c) a cylindrical, zoned volcanic plug. Seismic profiles and multi‐beam bathymetry revealed >30 m of Quaternary sediments overlying Middle Ordovician (Trenton Group) carbonate bedrock and complex, 3‐dimensional folding and faulting of the structure rim. Magnetic surveys recorded an annular magnetic high (>600 nT) over the structure rim and a central magnetic low (∼500–600 nT) coincident with a ∼−1.7 mGal Bouguer gravity anomaly. The continuity of Trenton Group strata in seismic profiles rules out a previously proposed Mesozoic maar‐diatreme intruded into Paleozoic strata. The zoned volcanic plug model reproduced the annular magnetic anomaly but was incompatible with Bouguer gravity profiles. The magnetic anomaly was best reproduced by a simple impact structure seated in Mesoproterozoic basement at 450–500 m depth with a rim‐to‐rim diameter of ∼1.2 km and rim height of ∼10–20 m. A 100‐m wide and 50‐m‐deep channel in the Mesoproterozoic basement may record fluvial dissection of the southwestern rim. A buried (>450 m), simple impact crater is most compatible with all available geophysical data at Charity Shoal.

An automatic new approach to gravity anomaly’s profile separation, inversion and interpretation, using an infinite horizontal slab model

ABSTRACT The goal of this research is to develop a new, fast-applying, non-conventional 2D semi-inversion technique that uses data from a previously known control point (e.g. a borehole). The method successfully separated a digitised profile over the Bouguer gravity anomaly map into its components, each of which corresponded to a rock formation being prior chosen from a borehole or control point. The importance of this technique stems from its capacity to automatically analyse the shape of the Bouguer gravity anomaly, as well as its propriety, approximation and given accepted equivalent geological cross-section, utilising an infinite slab model. A preliminary synthetic guidance model (SGM) in this proposed new method is being created from borehole data to simulate the homogeneous density distribution of the rock formations that fill a hypothetical sedimentary basin so that it represents to far extent the history of the region’s sedimentation process. The theoretical gravitational effect for each rock formation is estimated using the infinite horizontal slab model for all rock formations of such a hypothetical basin model. The total of these gravitational effects is utilised to invert any gravity profile that crosses the Bouguer gravity anomaly map. The gravity anomalies of the Bouguer profile are then separated and inverted into the comparable rock formation thicknesses or/and depths tracked along the gravity’s profile using a simple method. The technique was tested on a synthetic model, a synthetic noisy contaminated model, and real data from two different field cases with different geological and lithological characteristics. The first was in the Tucson Basin in Southeast Arizona, USA, and the second on the Mors Salt Dome in North Jutland, Denmark. The method has demonstrated results comparable with prior known information of the borehole existing in the study areas.

Gravity field and crustal structure of the Eastern Arm of Sulawesi and the Banggai Archipelago, Eastern Indonesia

The occurrence of extensive ophiolite masses and the development of the Batui-Balantak foreland thrust-fold belt on the Eastern Arm of Sulawesi can be attributed to the geologic process in the Neogene period when the Sulawesi Island Arc and the Banggai-Sula collided. Following the convergence, crustal fragments were further adjusted on a regional scale. This adjustment involved the rotation of crustal fragments into strike-slip faults on Sulawesi Island and the formation of extensional faults in the Banggai Archipelago. The analyses of the gravity field in the region of the eastern Sulawesi and Banggai Archipelago have yielded models that can potentially be interpreted as a representation of the underlying crustal structure in the region. The models can also be understood in a way that has consequences for tectonics. The tectonic episodes have played a significant role in the formation and development of sedimentary basins within the region. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the crustal structures of the Eastern Arm of Sulawesi and the Banggai Archipelago by means of analyzing gravity profiles. The findings of the analysis suggest that there is a slight thickening observed in the crustal block beneath the central portion of the eastern arm region. In addition, this area exhibits significant fracturing and severe attenuation. Furthermore, the crustal block has a dipped north-eastward trend in response to the ascent of the Molucca Sea oceanic crust.

Gravity Investigations Applied to the Geological Framework Study of the Mambasa Territory in Democratic Republic of Congo

This study concerns the gravity survey carried out in the territory of Mambasa in the province of Ituri in DR Congo, with the aim of studying its subsurface framework. We applied Free-Air and Bouguer corrections to the gravity measurements in order to eliminate gravity variations of non-geological origin. As for the graphical representation of the results, the spatial interpolation tools were useful to us in the elaboration of Bouguer anomaly maps. Then, we classified the study zone into Bouguer anomaly zones based on intensity. Gravity highs could indicate basement uplifts due to compressional movements. These uplifts would have led to the formation of granite domes which could be associated with mineralization. The enormous gravity depression would, for its part, be synonymous with a ditch or the presence of very low-density geological formations. The gravity profiles drawn support the analyzes of the maps: the anomaly curves are very fluctuating and uneven, highlighting several gravity highs and depressions. These fluctuations are probably induced by the presence of faults which separate the different anomaly zones.

Crustal thickness variations beneath Egypt through gravity inversion and forward modeling: linking surface thermal anomalies and Moho topography

This study aims to quantify the topography of the Moho boundary, the lower crust and uppermost mantle contact of Egypt, in order to estimate the crustal thickness variation and its link to the distribution of thermal anomalies under Egypt. This is accomplished by modeling satellite gravity, supported by the passive seismic constraints throughout Egypt. However, when estimating the thickness of the crust in Egypt using just seismic data, substantial uncertainty and deviation are produced due to the sparsely dispersed stations. Integrating seismic and gravity data minimizes uncertainty and improves estimate accuracy. The investigation is broken down into four stages, the first involving utilizing the Sentinel-3B satellite to create land surface temperature maps. The subsequent steps consist of gravity and seismic data adjustments, inversion and forward modeling. We used seismically restricted nonlinear inversion to look at Goco06s satellite gravity data to model the Moho’s topographic surface. The data gathered from deep seismic refraction and receiver functions adjusted the analyzed data. The inversion process relies on the adapted Bott's approach and Tikhonov regularization, using the assumption of the sphericity of the Earth planet. Reference values for depth of Moho and density contrast were set at 35 km and 500 kg/m3, respectively. The average statistical difference for Moho depth between gravity-based model and seismic data is − 0.10 km. Through forward gravity modeling, five gravity profiles were chosen and interpreted in 2.5D models. The results indicated that the Moho depth in the south varies from 35 to 39 km and decreases in the north and the Mediterranean. In upper Egypt, the highest Moho depth is 39 km. The depth varies beneath the Sinai Peninsula as it is about 35 km in its south, reaches 30 km in the northern portion, and ranges along the Red Sea’s Rift Margin from 29 to 32 km. Moreover, the final model shows the relation between Moho coincides with the surface temperature anomalies approved by satellite images and hot springs. The model reveals a correlation between Moho discontinuity and surface temperature anomalies, revealing the highest geothermal potential in a rectangular area in central Egypt, between latitudes 25°N and 30°N, based on satellite imagery and hot springs distribution.

Gravity profiles interpretation applying a metaheuristic particle optimization algorithm of mineralized bodies resembled by finite elements

The interpretation of gravity anomalies is crucial for identifying subsurface mineralized targets and understanding the density variations between the targets and the surrounding structures. To confirm the presence of ore and mineral targets, simple geometric bodies are often used. One of the commonly used global metaheuristic algorithms for gravity data analysis is the particle optimization algorithm. In this study, we employed this method to determine the parameters of buried bodies that resemble finite vertical cylinders by inferring gravity anomalies profiles (amplitude coefficient, depth to top, depth to bottom, origin, and length of the target representing the difference between two depths). The algorithm utilizes particle movement to identify the best way to reach the global or optimum solution. The algorithm's performance was evaluated on synthetic-examples with and without noise (5 % and 10 % levels) and also verified on a real dataset for mineral exploration from Canada. The results showed that the algorithm's stability and accuracy were not affected by the presence of noise and multi-models. Moreover, the field case results were consistent with the existing geological information, borehole data, and previously published outcomes.

New perspectives on radial profiles of specific gravity in North American conifers

North American conifers exhibit three radial specific gravity (SG) patterns (Type 1, 2, and 3), which balance hydraulic and mechanical requirements. Type 1 and 2 patterns (Pinaceae) have low SG and high microfibril angle (MFA) corewood ensuring compliance, whereas in outerwood high SG/low MFA provide stiffness and strength resisting bending. Hydraulically, corewood, especially in Type 2 species, is resistant to embolism, whereas outerwood has higher specific conductivity. Cupressaceae (Type 3) have hydraulically very efficient, low SG outerwood, facilitating rapid growth. Corewood is flexible, whereas outerwood is mechanically weak and compensated for by more conical stems and durable heartwood (which prevents Brazier buckling). Radially earlywood (EW) decreases, and latewood (LW) increases for all types, whereas %latewood (%LW) increases (Type 1), decreases, then increases (Type 2) and decreases (Type 3). Ring SG increases when increasing LW SG and %LW are sufficient to counteract decreasing EW SG. Shade tolerance, crown recession, hormone gradients, and environmental variation affect patterns. Auxin concentration decreases with increasing distance from juvenile foliage slowing cell division, concomitantly gibberellin concentration (lignification) and carbohydrates (cell wall thickening) increase, producing higher %LW. Across a species range regions receiving relatively high summer rainfall have trees with higher %LW (by ring).

Using gravity data uncertainties in forward modeling to estimate uncertainties in model parameters: A case history in estimating the dip and the dip uncertainty of the Porcupine Destor Fault

When using forward modeling to estimate model parameters, such as the dip, it also is important to estimate the corresponding uncertainty in the model parameters. For gravity data, these uncertainties are dependent on the uncertainty in the Bouguer-corrected data. The uncertainty in the gravity meter reading and the height used in the free-air and Bouguer corrections are among the most important factors influencing the uncertainty in the Bouguer-corrected data. We use two methods for estimating the uncertainty in the Bouguer-corrected data, which give similar answers (0.121 mGal and 0.109 mGal). The uncertainty in the model parameters can be estimated by perturbing the corrected data multiple times by amounts consistent with the estimated uncertainty in the corrected gravity. The standard deviation of the model parameters derived from each perturbed data set gives an estimate of their uncertainty. Using this procedure for Bouguer gravity profiles that cross the Porcupine Destor Fault (a fault that is prospective for gold in the Timmins camp of Ontario, Canada), we find that the uncertainty in the dip is 1° or 2°, assuming a planar or linear fault. If the uncertainty in the corrected data had been 1 mGal (a value typical of regional surveys, instead of 0.1 mGal for a local survey), then the uncertainty in the dip is 41° for the same model. Thus, knowing the uncertainties in the corrected data are very important for estimating the uncertainty in model parameters. Conversely, if a model parameter is known to be required to a specific precision, the survey can be planned so that the corrected gravity has an uncertainty appropriate to achieve that precision.

Toward Understanding Polar Heat Transport Enhancement in Subglacial Oceans on Icy Moons

AbstractThe interior oceans of several icy moons are considered as affected by rotation. Observations suggest a larger heat transport around the poles than at the equator. Rotating Rayleigh‐Bénard convection (RRBC) in planar configuration can show an enhanced heat transport compared to the non‐rotating case within this “rotation‐affected” regime. We investigate the potential for such a (polar) heat transport enhancement in these subglacial oceans by direct numerical simulations of RRBC in spherical geometry for Ra = 106 and 0.7 ≤ Pr ≤ 4.38. We find an enhancement up to 28% in the “polar tangent cylinder,” which is globally compensated by a reduced heat transport at low latitudes. As a result, the polar heat transport can exceed the equatorial by up to 50%. The enhancement is mostly insensitive to different radial gravity profiles, but decreases for thinner shells. In general, polar heat transport and its enhancement in spherical RRBC follow the same principles as in planar RRBC.

Processing and re-interpretation of gravity bouguer map of a selected area in the W-NW of Iraq

Geophysical data interpretation is crucial in characterizing the subsurface structure. The Bouguer gravity map analysis of the W-NW region of Iraq serves as the basis for the current geophysical research. The Bouguer gravity data were processed using the Power Spectrum Analysis method. Four depth slices have been acquired after the PSA process, which are: 390 m, 1300 m, 3040 m, and 12600 m depth. The gravity anomaly depth maps show that shallow-depth anomalies are mainly related to the sedimentary cover layers and structures, while the gravity anomaly of the deeper depth slice of 12600 m is more presented to the basement rocks and mantle uplift. The 2D modeling technique was used for the quantitative interpretation of a selected Gravity profile along the study area. The model section of the gravity profile illustrated the relatively high density of subsurface basement rocks and/or upward mantle process which causes the effect of positive gravity values. Furthermore, several faults are indicated in the sedimentary sections by potential gravity methods such as several grabens, half grabens, and horst structures which are identified in Bouguer depth maps by relatively high and low gravity values, these structures were also affected by the basement rock uplift and/or Mantle upwards.

An Integrated Microgravity and Soil Analysis Methods to Assist the Resistivity Profiles Interpretation in an Engineering Site Southern Baghdad, Iraq

A 2D Electrical Resistivity Imaging survey was conducted at the Al-Jadiriya Campus of Baghdad University. The 2D resistivity survey was achieved on two profiles using the Wenner- Schlumberger configuration. The length of each profile is 80 meters, and the spacing between adjacent electrodes is 1 mr. The obtained resistivity data were interpreted using the RES2DINV program. Both profiles show high resistivity anomaly at depths more than 6 meters, extending from a distance of 32-44 m and 37-44 mrs for profiles 1 and 2, respectively. In addition to the deep anomalies, there are many shallow high-resistivity anomalies. A microgravity survey was carried out for a distance of 20- 60 m along the two profiles to check the nature of the deep high resistivity anomaly. The gravity profiles showed many positive gravity anomalies reflected the effect of shallow sources, which coincide with the shallow relatively high resistivity anomalies. Many soil samples were analyzed chemically and sedimentologically to investigate soil homogeneity. It is found that the soil is homogenous, composed mainly of silt and clay. According to the integrated interpretation of resistivity, gravity, and soil analyses, it is found that the high resistivity anomaly is related to dry compacted soil mass, which is indicated in the gravity study. This study confirms the importance of integrated research to access better geophysical interpretation. The water table level in the study sites ranges 5.6–6.2 ms.

Bayesian inversion for modelling 3-D density structures in the eastern margin of Bayan Har block and its tectonic implications

SUMMARY Recently, the eastern margin of the Tibetan plateau has experienced three moderate earthquakes. Deep crustal structure is a critical factor for understanding the seismotectonic environment and deformations in this region. Although several multidisciplinary geophysical approaches have been used to develop crustal structure models for this area, substantial inconsistencies still persist in the results due to the intricate structural properties of crust. In this study, we introduce a novel approach to construct a 3-D crustal model with assimilated density structure (MADS) at a resolution of 0.2° × 0.2° × 5 km. This model is built by integrating data from various source, including multisource gravity anomalies and diverse available crustal structure reference models. We use a model-assimilated gravity inversion process with Bayesian parameter optimization. First, we combine the terrestrial gravity profiles data set with published global gravity field models to create a data set rich in reliable high-frequency anomaly information. Secondly, we incorporate three reference models derived from different seismological methods as prior constraints for our model. These models encompass seismic tomography, surface wave dispersion and receiver function data. We optimize the hyper-parameters of these constraints using the Bayesian criterion. The results demonstrate that the MADS not only captures significant changes in the crustal density but also discerns subtle variations in the upper and middle crust, thereby providing detailed insights into the morphologies of major faults. For instance, the central section of the Longmenshan fault is revealed as a high-angle deep thrust feature, while the frontal section of the Longmenshan fault appears as a low-angle mid-deep thrust feature, and the Xianshuihe fault exhibits a vertical deep subduction feature. Additionally, our findings indicate a correlation between the locations of moderate-to-large earthquakes in this region and the high density-gradient zones or asperities with high density within MADS. We believe that the insights into density characteristics offered by the new MADS model can shed light on the study of asperities associated with recent moderate earthquakes and enhance our understanding of deformation in this region.

Adopting normalized full gradient method for regional‐scale gravity modelling: A case study for Northwestern Iran

AbstractThe normalized full gradient was developed to determine anomalous bodies, such as oil and gas fields or simple geological structures studies. We believe that even in complicated geology, normalized full gradient is practical. We introduce data preprocessing and use step‐by‐step simple‐to‐complicated synthetic tests to develop previous researchers’ ideas for regional‐scale gravity modelling. One of the most important steps of the normalized full gradient is the determination of the N optimum value. We found that prevalent methods such as the standard spectral or maxima method are feasible in simple structures only. So, we have suggested the imaging criteria routine for complicated cases. We trace maximum normalized full gradient responses to detect the normalized full gradient responses at the increasing harmonic numbers as the transition of the extensive part of the anomaly to the sharp part of that. With imaging criteria for the determination of N optimum values, the complicated synthetic test results show the success of the normalized full gradient to understand complicated gravity signals. In the real case, we have studied the Northwestern Iran normalized full gradient model of the Bouguer ground gravity data beneath the seismic profile and prepared a P receiver function depth section to uncover the geometry of the Moho boundary and important interfaces in the crust. We suggest the inferred synthetic model from the Bouguer ground gravity anomaly and P receiver function depth section to normalized full gradient trustworthy test in real cases. According to the synthetic test results, we understand the frame of the normalized full gradient responses in the semi‐real case and truthful responses in the real case. Along with this, we study the second ground gravity profile of Northwestern Iran in a good resolution to uncover the deeper structures. The real case results show the possibility of Moho offset and thinning lithosphere beneath the North Tabriz Fault lithospheric boundary, the possible source of Sahand volcanic centre at the west side of the Moho offset beneath North Tabriz Fault, the deep root of the Sabalan volcanic centre in the lower crust and the lithospheric and asthenospheric wedge with the density contrast beneath Sahand–Sabalan volcanic centres. One of the most important results of our study is the lithosphere–asthenosphere boundary offset and stepped Moho possibility beneath the Talesh Mts next to the South Caspian Basin boundary.

Favourable IOCG and polymetallic environs in Marwar - Khetri, NW Indian Shield imprints from aerogeophysical data analysis

The analysis of aeromagnetic data reveals two significant broad oval-shaped aeromagnetic anomalies oriented in the NE-SW direction, west of Laxmangarh and east of Fatehpur. These significant anomalies identified beneath sand-alluvium-covered areas of Rajasthan's Marwar region are of a low dominance nature. These magnetic signatures are associated with gravity gradients in the regional Bouguer gravity map. Magnetic anomalies and subsurface modeling revealed that the remanence source had a high magnetic susceptibility. The ground gravity profiles across the Laxmangarh anomaly show a high gravity variation of 5 mGal/km. The integration of geochemical distribution patterns, spectrometric elemental concentrations, different ratios, and composite image maps has brought out alteration/shear zones that are favourable for mineralization. The results of selective 2D-profiles, plate modeling, and 3D-inversion modeling of these anomalies reveal that the depth of the causative source varies from 300 to 1000 m. The higher-order magnetic susceptibilities, geochemical dispersion pattern, and spectrometric ratio maps and composite images distinguished hydrothermal alteration zones characterised by potassium enrichment. The results indicate the possibility of concealed source rocks with high magnetic mineral content (magnetite, maghemite, titanomaghemite, pyrrhotite, and franklinite?) and a relatively high density. The geophysical signatures observed around Fatehpur and Laxmangarh, with high magnetic contrast, low dominance, and remanence coupled with high gravity values, as well as hydrothermal alteration zones, appear to have striking similarities with the geophysical and geochemical scenarios of some of Australia's Iron Oxide Copper-Gold (IOCG) prospects in the Gawler, Arunta, Tennant, and Mount Isa regions. Therefore, these anomalous areas may be explored for the possibilities of an IOCG or polymetallic type of mineral.

Dark energy star in gravity's rainbow

The concept of dark energy can be a candidate for preventing the gravitational collapse of compact objects to singularities. According to the usefulness of gravity's rainbow in UV completion of general relativity (by providing a new description of spacetime), it can be an excellent option to study the behavior of compact objects near phase transition regions. In this work, we obtain a modified Tolman-Openheimer-Volkof (TOV) equation for anisotropic dark energy as a fluid by solving the field equations in gravity's rainbow. Next, to compare the results with general relativity, we use a generalized Tolman-Matese-Whitman mass function to determine the physical quantities such as energy density, radial pressure, transverse pressure, gravity profile, and anisotropy factor of the dark energy star. We evaluate the junction condition and investigate the dynamical stability of dark energy star thin shell in gravity's rainbow. We also study the energy conditions for the interior region of this star. We show that the coefficients of gravity's rainbow can significantly affect this non-singular compact object and modify the model near the phase transition region.

The Neoproterozoic basement of the Parnaíba Basin (NE Brazil) from combined geophysical-geological analysis: A missing piece of the western Gondwana puzzle

A regional Pre-Silurian unconformity marks the erosive planar base of the Phanerozoic Parnaíba Basin (PB), and indistinctly truncates key tectonic units for the understanding of the Neoproterozoic evolution of western Gondwana in northeastern Brazil. We present a comparative analysis of geophysical and geological datasets in the PB and propose a new tectonic configuration for its pre-Silurian basement, composed of different terranes amalgamated during the Brasiliano orogeny. Using integrated seismic interpretation and gravity modelling, constrained by an updated crustal thickness map, well data and a compilation of recent geophysical studies, we have identified two main blocks in the center of the basin. They represent pre-Brasiliano inliers, surrounded by Brasiliano mobile belts, and assigned to two major crustal building blocks of western Gondwana: the Amazonian-West Africa (AWB; to the west/north) and the Central African blocks (CAB; to the east/northeast). The Grajaú block belongs to the AWB and is characterized by low gravity anomaly, thicker crust (41–45 km), transparent seismic character of the basement and a high velocity lower crust. The Teresina block belongs to the CAB and is characterized by slightly thinner crust (39–41 km), higher values of gravity and magnetic anomalies and by the presence of mid-crustal reflectors (MCR), observed in seven seismic lines and here interpreted as a remnant of a paleosuture zone between the two blocks. Along a NE-SW 500-km seismic and gravity profile, we interpreted the MCR as composed of crustal-scale thrust faults verging westwards and defining the Barra do Corda belt, which was formed by the closure of the Goiás-Pharusian ocean along the Transbrasiliano-Kandi corridor and subsequent collision of the Grajaú and Teresina blocks. This belt deforms the eastern margin of the Ediacaran Riachão foreland basin (RB), observed in seismic and well data beneath the SW portion of PB and overlying the southern Grajaú block. The western margin of RB is bounded by eastwards verging thrust faults, interpreted as a zone of back-thrusts and thinned crust (∼36 km) in the eastern prolongation of the Araguaia belt beneath PB. To the east, the limit between the Teresina block and the Borborema Province is marked by the NE-SW Transbrasiliano Shear Zone, along which Neoproterozoic mylonites were recovered from wellbores, and a system of narrow pull-apart basins is interpreted in the seismic data, triggered by Early Paleozoic transtensional reactivations of the TBSZ, prior to the deposition of the basal Ordovician-Silurian sequence of PB. This complex collisional tectonic setting of PB basement contradicts the idea of a stable cratonic block beneath it, inciting new formation models that account for the observed crustal and lithospheric heterogeneities.

Recording the largest gabbro-anorthositic complex worldwide: The Kunene Complex (KC), SW Angola

The Kunene Complex (KC) represents a large Mesoproterozoic igneous body, mainly composed of anorthosites and gabbroic rocks that extends from SW Angola to NW Namibia (18000 km2, N-S trend, and ca. 350 km long and 25–50 km wide). Although the KC has been studied from a cartographic and geochemical point of view, little is known about its structure at depth below the sedimentary deposits of the Kalahari basin. Hence, we use available satellite gravity data to estimate its extent and to unravel its morphology at depth. The Bouguer anomaly map depicts a gravity gradient from the coast (+200 mGal) towards eastern Angola (-150 mGal), which is explained by the transition from a young, dense and thin basaltic oceanic crust, formed during the Mesozoic Atlantic rifting, to an old, light and thick Archaean to Proterozoic continental crust (Congo Craton), to the east. The outcropping KC interrupts the gravity trend, showing at the western, southwestern and northeastern sides, several positive and isolated gravity anomalies linked to gabbroic intrusions associated to KC (ca. 50 km wavelength and −90 mGal). In contrast, the anomalies found at the central part of the massif (50 km wavelength and < -110 mGal) correspond to the dominant anorthositic members, according to the spatial correlation of the mapping. Five 2.5D gravity profiles have been modelled to investigate the unexposed eastern boundary, reconstructing the surface crustal structure (between 0 and 15 km depth) overlaid by the thin sedimentary cover of the Kalahari basin. The gravity modelling helps us to show that the KC was emplaced in the Upper Crust and extends in depth up to ca. 6 km, showing a lobular geometry and following a large NE-SW to NNE-SSW linear trend, presumably inherited from older Palaeoproterozoic structures. The lateral continuation of the KC to the east (between 50 and 125 km) beneath the Kalahari sediments suggests an overall size of at least twice the outcropping dimension (about 42500 km2). This statement clearly influences in the economic potential of this massif, related to the prospecting of raw materials and certain types of economic mineralization (Fe-Ti oxides, metallic sulphides or platinum group minerals).

Gravity anomaly and fine crustal structure in the middle segment of the Tan-Lu fault zone, eastern Chinese mainland

The middle segment of the Tan-Lu fault zone (MTLFZ) is a large-scale active fault zone in the eastern Chinese mainland, and the 1668 Tancheng M8.5 earthquake occurred in its eastern graben. In this study, wavelet-based multi-scale analysis, Moho inversion, and gravity profile modeling are utilized to invert the high-precision Bouguer gravity anomaly of the MTLFZ and adjacent areas, and the fine crustal structure and deformation features are analyzed to understand the deep seismogenic mechanism. The results indicate that the regional gravity field can be subdivided into five blocks. The MTLFZ, as the tectonic boundary, is a NNE-trending gentle gravity gradient zone or a high anomaly zone with the highest gradient value of 0.6 mGal/km. In plane, the sedimentary layer to the upper crust of the Tan-Lu fault zone (TLFZ) shows a gravity pattern of “two grabens and one horst” on the north of Suqian, and the middle-lower crust is characterized by a long and narrow intermittent low anomaly zone, while the uppermost mantle is displays an accumulation of high anomaly materials. In profile, the TLFZ cuts through the Moho interface to the upper mantle and serves as a channel for upwelling of high density materials into the lower crust from mantle, where density value of lower crust is nearly 3.0 g/cm3, which is significantly higher than both the sides. The regional Moho depth increases from 30.8 km in the east to 36.0 km in the west, and an abrupt change is observed along the TLFZ, where the Moho interface is severely uplifted in the Juxian-Tancheng and Suqian-Jiashan areas. The gravity results reveal several NW or NWW active faults on the west side of TLFZ that intersect with it, which decreases the stress of the western graben. In contrast, the eastern graben is relatively rigid due to the lack of intersecting active faults. Moreover, the deep fault of the TLFZ displays a similar declination as the shallow branch faults of the eastern graben with little distortion, so the stress acts more easily and the hot mantle materials upwell more efficiently to induce major earthquakes in the eastern graben. It is interpreted that the 1668 Tancheng earthquake occurred through this mechanism: the Moho interface is strongly uplifted in the Tancheng area where the mantle material upwelled into the crust along the TLFZ, and the strain continued to accumulate due to crustal structure features of the eastern graben.

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the crust base structure using Kuwait gravity anomaly maps in the determination of new oil fields

Kuwait state lies at the upper northeastern corner of the Arabian Plate, on the Arabian Gulf, and surrounded by Iraq from the north, the Arabian Gulf from the east, and Saudi Arabia from other sides. Kuwait settled on a thick sedimentary column built from the Permian age to recent; its thickness ranges between 7 and 8 km, take the form of the underneath basement structures. Detailed information has been got about the crustal basement structure under Kuwait state from the analysis of gravity anomaly maps and its consequential depth maps. The Geosoft Oasis Montaj software is used for preparing the geologic cross-sections from the modeling of the gravity profiles. The modeled cross-section provided us with the depth and structures of crustal basement rocks within 6 to 7 km under Kuwait and its associated sedimentary basins with a detailed geometry. We got considerable information about the sedimentary basins' geometry in Kuwait, such as the locations, extension, depth, and dimensions of the basins. This information coincides with Kuwait's oil fields location map. However, this information can be confirmed accurately from an aeromagnetic survey recommended carrying out the Kuwait region.