Vertical Gravity Gradient Research Articles

Bathymetry Model in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean Predicted from Satellite Altimetric Vertical Gravity Gradient Anomalies and Ship-Board Depths

New bathymetry models in the northwestern Pacific Ocean are presented at 1 arc-minute and 15 arc-second resolution. The latest version of the altimetric vertical gravity gradient (VGG) anomalies from Scripps Institute of Oceanography, ∼7 million single-beam depths from the National Centers for Environmental Information, and ∼80 GB of multibeam grids from the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology are used. The ship-board depths are used to constrain bathymetry at wavelengths longer than 200 km, and calibrate the local topography to VGG ratio at 15–200 km wavelength bands. The VGG is used to predict bathymetry at 15 ∼ 200 km wavelength bands. The spectrum analysis results show that the 1 arc-minute model has more power than models predicted from gravity anomalies at wavelengths shorter than 100 km. The standard deviation of differences between the 1 arc-minute model and ship-board depths is 44.76 m, and it is 102.842 m comparing to the SIO topo_20.1.nc model. The accuracy of the new 1 arc-minute model has been improved significantly from our last bathymetry model, BAT_VGG, and has a better accuracy than that of the DTU18, GEBCO_08, and ETOPO1 models. The accuracy of the 15 arc-second model is consistent with that of SRTM + V2.1 and GEBCO_2020.

DETERMINATION OF THE VERTICAL GRADIENT OF GRAVITY FROM GRAVITY ANOMALIES

In connection with the need to use the vertical gradient in the processing of the results of gravimetric measurements and their interpretation when solving problems of geology, geophysics, geodesy, geodynamics and navigation, in addition to the urgent problems of improvement, socalled indirect methods of measuring the vertical gradient, there is an equally urgent task of developing methods for determining the vertical gradient of gravity, using dependencies between different physical fields. The article presents the development and study of a method for determining the vertical gradient from gravity anomalies using the relationship between gravity anomalies and altitude based on field data obtained in the area of the Tashtagol field on Mount Boulanger in 2019 and 2020.

13 million years of seafloor spreading throughout the Red Sea Basin

The crustal and tectonic structure of the Red Sea and especially the maximum northward extent of the (ultra)slow Red Sea spreading centre has been debated—mainly due to a lack of detailed data. Here, we use a compilation of earthquake and vertical gravity gradient data together with high-resolution bathymetry to show that ocean spreading is occurring throughout the entire basin and is similar in style to that at other (ultra)slow spreading mid-ocean ridges globally, with only one first-order offset along the axis. Off-axis traces of axial volcanic highs, typical features of (ultra)slow-spreading ridges, are clearly visible in gravity data although buried under thick salt and sediments. This allows us to define a minimum off-axis extent of oceanic crust of <55 km off the coast along the complete basin. Hence, the Red Sea is a mature ocean basin in which spreading began along its entire length 13 Ma ago.

An Analytical Method to Estimate Seabed Topography Only from Vertical Gravitational Gradient

In the present methods to estimate seafloor topography from gravimetric data, some parameters need be computed in advance from the known bathymetric data, which leads some uncertainties in applying the methods. To overcome such uncertainties, an analytical method to estimate the seafloor topography from the vertical gravity gradient (VGG) is introduced in the paper. Based on the expression of VGG generated by a cubic prism, the observation equations for the seabed depth are established firstly. Then, the simulation results show that the observation equations established are solvable. Especially, the piecewise bilinear interpolation is introduced to separate the influence of the far-field anomalous bodies on VGG. In addition, some imitation arithmetic examples are given in order to examine the solvability of the observation equations and estimate the accuracies of their solutions. Finally, an actual seafloor topography located in South China Sea (117.6-118.25°E, 17-17.65°N), is estimated by the method proposed in the paper, and compared with ship depth sounding, the root mean square (RMS) error of bathymetry prediction is 77 m.

Processing and interpretation of full tensor gravity anomalies of Southern Main Ethiopian Rift

The study area is situated in the Southern Main Ethiopian Rift being bounded within the limit of 37o00″0′-38o50′00″E and 5o50′00″-7o00′00″N. It is well known that the complex geological structure of the Main Ethiopian Rift has attracted intense attention so far and numerous geophysical investigations have been performed using potential field data-sets in Central and Northern Main Ethiopian Rift with the exception of the Southern Main Ethiopian Rift which is poorly constrained. Analysis of Full Tensor Gravity anomalies helps in understanding of the nature of shallow subsurface structural features and has a paramount importance in building general understanding of subtle details about subsurface geology of the area.Separation of regional and residual gravity field is performed using upward continuation filtering technique. The residual gravity anomaly caused by local structures and anomalous body delineated four sub-basins with low amplitude response which is in agreement with the vertical gravity gradient anomaly (Gzz) and tilt derivative horizontal (TDX) that clearly outlined and characterize edges of the sub-basins. The sub-basins delineated are the northern and southern Abaya, Chamo and Gelana basins. The tilt angle method which is used to delineate major subsurface structures and determine the source depth results showed that the area was affected by different lineament trending NE-SW, N–S, NNE-SSW, NW-SE and E-W, directional analysis performed indicates that the dominant trend is in agreement with the regional fault orientations. The estimated depth to the top of the lineaments on average varies from 0.9 km to 3.1 km and it is relatively deeper in the basins compared to the surrounding areas giving clues to the amount of sediment infill.

Late Cretaceous Ridge Reorganization, Microplate Formation, and the Evolution of the Rio Grande Rise – Walvis Ridge Hot Spot Twins, South Atlantic Ocean

AbstractRio Grande Rise (RGR) and Walvis Ridge (WR) are South Atlantic large igneous provinces (LIPs), formed on the South American and African plates, respectively, mainly by volcanism from a hot spot erupting at the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge (MAR) during the Late Cretaceous. Both display morphologic complexities that imply their tectonic evolution is incompletely understood. We studied bathymetry, gravity, and vertical gravity gradient maps derived from satellite altimetry to trace faults providing indications of seafloor spreading directions and changes. We also examined magnetic anomalies for time constraint and reflection seismic data for structural information. Abyssal hill fabric and magnetic anomaly data indicate that the area between RGR and WR was anomalous between anomalies C34 (83.6 Ma) and C30 (66.4 Ma) owing to reorganization of a right‐lateral transform on the MAR. This event began ∼92 Ma as the transform shifted south to form multiple, short‐offset right‐lateral transforms, with the reorganization extending through anomaly C34 and ending before anomaly C30. Anomalous spacing of magnetic anomalies and discordant fault fabric indicate that a microplate formed with a core of Cretaceous Quiet Zone seafloor. As the MAR jumped eastward, this microplate was captured by the South American plate and now resides mostly in a basin between the main RGR plateau and a related ridge to the east (East Rio Grande Rise). The microplate is ringed by igneous massifs, implying a link with volcanism. The results presented here indicate that these two LIPs had a complex Late Cretaceous history that belies simple hot spot models.

Numerical Simulation of Stratified Values of the Vertical Gravity Gradient Generated by a Pair of Closely Spaced Isolated Inhomogeneities with Excessive Density

In the article is presented a mathematical model and a computational algorithm for solving the inverse problem of gravity gradiometry – a problem of localization (separability) of a pair of gravitational inhomogeneities – isolated ore bodies (oil and gas domes) with excessive positive (negative) density based on the gravitational anomalies generated by them. Anomalies are empirical data for solving the inverse problem, which is relevant for geological exploration, monitoring and geophysical support of developed fields, as well as for practical problems of engineering geology.

Megathrust Slip Behavior for Great Earthquakes Along the Sumatra-Andaman Subduction Zone Mapped From Satellite GOCE Gravity Field Derivatives

During the last two decades, space geodesy allowed mapping accurately rupture areas, slip distribution, and seismic coupling by obtaining refined inversion models and greatly improving the study of great megathrust earthquakes. A better understanding of these phenomena involving large areas of hundreds of square kilometers came from the last gravity satellite mission that allowed detecting mass transfer through the Earth interior. In this work, we performed direct modeling of satellite GOCE (Gravity Field and Steady-State Ocean Circulation Explorer) derived gravity gradients up to degree/order N = 200 of the harmonic expansion and then corrected this by the effect of topography. Cutting off the model up to this degree/order allows inferring mass heterogeneities located at an approximate depth of 31 km, just along the plate interface where most (but not all) significant slip occurs. Then, we compared the vertical gravity gradient to well-constrained coseismic slip models for three of the last major earthquakes along the Sunda interface. We analyzed seismic rupture behavior for recent and for historical earthquakes along this subduction margin and the relationship of the degree of interseismic coupling using the gravity signal. From this, we found that strong slip patches occurred along minima gravity gradient lobes and that the maximum vertical displacements were related quantitatively to the gravity-derived signal. The degree of interseismic coupling also presents a good correspondence to the vertical gravity gradient, showing an inverse relationship, with low degrees of coupling over regions of relatively higher density. This along-strike segmentation of the gravity signal agrees with the along-strike seismic segmentation observed from recent and historical earthquakes. The thermally controlled down-dip ending of the locked fault zone along central Sumatra also presented an inverse relationship with the density structure along the forearc inferred using our modeling. From this work, we inferred different mass heterogeneities related to persistent tectonic features along the megathrust and along the marine forearc, which may control strain accumulation and release along the megathrust. Combining these data with geodetical and seismological data could possibly delimit and monitor areas with a higher potential seismic hazard around the world.

Marine Vertical Gravity Gradients Reveal the Global Distribution and Tectonic Significance of “Seesaw” Ridge Propagation

AbstractThe segmentation of mid‐ocean ridges is a defining characteristic of seafloor spreading, yet some tectonic processes operating at segment boundaries remain poorly understood. Here, we analyze new satellite‐derived vertical gravity gradient (VGG) data, which reveal an abundance of off‐axis seafloor features that are oblique to ridges and transform faults and thus reflect the occurrence of ridge propagation at some segment boundaries. However, unlike many propagating ridges, these features commonly reverse direction leaving W‐shaped signatures in the seafloor which we refer to as “seesaw propagators” (SSPs). Using the VGG, we have documented these globally and find that: (1) SSPs are ubiquitous on seafloor that formed at half spreading rates between 10 and 40 mm year−1 and their total length is about 1/3 that of fracture zones. (2) The lithospheric age offset across SSPs (0–2.5 Ma) is less than transform faults (2–10 Ma), which likely reflects a rheological threshold, whereby only young and weak lithosphere allows for “non‐rigid” SSP behavior. (3) Isostatic modeling of well‐surveyed SSPs confirms that they formed on young and thin (3 km) lithosphere. (4) The directional changes of SSPs in both time and space appear largely uncorrelated and cannot be explained by previous regional‐scale models invoked to explain unidirectional ridge propagation and thus require a different driving force.

Seafloor Topography Estimation from Gravity Anomaly and Vertical Gravity Gradient Using Nonlinear Iterative Least Square Method

Currently, seafloor topography inversion based on satellite altimetry gravity data provides the principal means to predict the global seafloor topography. Researchers often use sea surface geoid height or gravity anomaly to predict sea depth in the space domain. In this paper, a comprehensive discussion on seafloor topography inversion formulas in the space domain is presented using sea surface geoid height, gravity anomaly and introduces an approach that uses vertical gravity gradient. This would be the first study to estimate seafloor topography by vertical gravity gradient in the space domain. Further, a nonlinear iterative least-square inversion process is discussed. Using the search area for the Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 as study site, we used the DTU17 gravity anomaly model and SIO V29.1 vertical gravity gradient to generate the seafloor topography. The results of the proposed bathymetric models were analyzed and compared with the DTU18 and SIO V20.1 bathymetric models. The experimental results show that the gravity anomaly and vertical gravity gradient in the study area are strongly correlated with the seafloor topography in the 20–200 km wavelength range. The optimal initial iteration values for seafloor topography variance and correlation length are 0.6365 km2 and 10.5′, respectively. Shipborne measurements from SONAR data were used as external checkpoints to evaluate the bathymetric models. The results show that the RMS for BAT_VGG_ILS (inversion model constructed by vertical gravity gradient) is smaller than for BAT_GA_ILS (inversion model constructed by gravity anomaly) and BAT_GA_VGG_ILS (inversion model constructed by gravity anomaly and vertical gravity gradient). The relative accuracy of the DTU18 bathymetry model was 9.27%, while the relative accuracy of the proposed seafloor models was higher than 4%. Within the 200 m difference range, the proportion of checkpoints for BAT_VGG_ILS was close to 95%, about 80% for BAT_GA_ILS and BAT_GA_VGG_ILS, and less than 50% for the DTU18. The results show that the nonlinear iterative least square method in the space domain is feasible.

Cretaceous ocean formation in the High Arctic

Understanding the evolution of ocean basins is critical for studies in global plate tectonics, mantle dynamics, and sea-level through time, and relies on identifiable tectonic plate boundaries. The evolution of the 2.5 million km2 Amerasia Basin in the Arctic Ocean remains largely unsettled due to widespread overprint by the Cretaceous High-Arctic Large Igneous Province. Traces of an extinct, but deeply buried, spreading centre (herein South Amerasia Ridge, SAR) has been shown to exist in the southern part of the Amerasia Basin, in the Canada Basin. However, structural details of the SAR and, hence, the kinematic evolution of the Canada Basin, are yet to be unraveled. Based on 3D gravity inversion and the vertical gravity gradient of the latest generation of satellite gravity models, we document new structures within the Canada Basin spreading system. Our results are supported by analysis of aeromagnetic and recent marine geophysical data. Evidence is shown of consistent oblique segmentation of the SAR spreading centre in a right stepping en echelon pattern. The spreading segments are offset by northeast-trending non-transforms that are traceable throughout the oceanic crustal domain and parallel to pre-oceanic strike-slip faults in the older part of the Canada Basin. We interpret the SAR to have formed by highly oblique spreading in a northeast-southwest direction. We compare the predicted SAR basement topography with the global ridge systems and produce a detailed magnetic modelling also constrained by the basement topography. The results indicate that the SAR crust formed by a slow-to-intermediate spreading regime and that sea-floor spreading terminated during a reverse polarity chron, most likely in the Early Cretaceous. Our novel plate reconstruction model, adopting a highly oblique spreading in Canada Basin, requires a translational motion of the Alaska/Chukotka tectonic block, replacing the decades-old rotational model of the Cretaceous High Arctic.

Shallow Seismicity and the Classification of Structures in the Lau Back‐Arc Basin

AbstractBack‐arc basins open in response to subduction processes, which cause extension in the upper plate, usually along trench‐parallel spreading axes. However, global seismic databases reveal that the majority of seismic events in the Lau Basin occur along transcurrent (strike‐slip) rather than extensional faults. To better characterize active deformation in this region, we compared centroid moment tensors (CMTs), calculated for large (Mw &gt; 5), shallow (&lt;30 km) seismic events, to the orientations of seafloor lineaments mapped throughout the Lau Basin. Ship‐based multibeam and satellite altimetry were combined with vertical gravity gradient data to create the lineament map. By comparing the possible focal planes of the CMTs to the orientations of the lineaments, the most likely fault plane solutions were selected, thus classifying the faults and establishing the nature of the highly variable stress regimes in the basin. We resolved the strike, dip, and dip direction of 308 faults and classified 258 additional structures by fault type. The analysis highlights a stress regime that is dominated by a combination of left‐lateral and right‐lateral strike‐slip faults, large‐scale transcurrent motion along rigid crustal‐scale fault zones, and nonrigid diffuse deformation along preexisting seafloor structures, with extension mainly limited to the tips of propagating rifts and spreading centers. By resolving many of the uncertain motions on the mapped lineaments of the Lau Basin, the CMT analysis addresses a number of questions concerning basin‐scale stress regimes and microplate development, complementing GPS measurements, and providing a more complete picture of the complexities of back‐arc basin development.

Sensitivity analysis of gravity gradient inversion of the Moho depth—a case example for the Amazonian Craton

SUMMARYWe present a novel approach for linearized gravity inversion to estimate the Moho depth, which allows the use of any gravitational component instead of the vertical gravity component only. The inverse problem is solved with the Gauss–Newton algorithm and the gravitational field of the undulating Moho depth is calculated with tesseroids. Hereby, the density contrast can be laterally variable by using information from seismological regionalization. Our approach is illustrated with a synthetic example, which we use to explore different regularization parameters. The vertical gravity gradient gzz provides the most reasonable results with appropriate parameters. As a case example, we invert for the Moho depth of the Amazonian Craton and its surroundings. The results are constrained by estimates from active seismic measurements. Our new Moho depth model correlates to tectonic domains and is in agreement with previous models. The estimated density contrasts of the tectonic domains agree well with the lithospheric architecture and show with 300–450 kg m–3 lower density contrasts for continental domains, whereas the oceans reveal a density contrast of 450–500 kg m–3. The wider range of estimated density contrast for the continent reflects uncertainties in Precambrian Fold Belts that arise from its small gravity signal. Our results demonstrate that a variable density contrast at the Moho depth is a valuable enhancement for gravity inversion.

Topographically Predicted Vertical Gravity Gradient Field and Its Applicability in 3D and 4D Microgravimetry: Etna (Italy) Case Study

Some geophysical or geodynamic applications require the use of true vertical gradient of gravity (VGG). This demand may be associated with reductions of or corrections to observed gravity or its spatiotemporal changes. In the absence of in situ measured VGG values, the constant value of the theoretical (normal) free air gradient (FAG) is commonly used. We propose an alternative to this practice which may significantly reduce systematic errors associated with the use of constant FAG. The true VGG appears to be better approximated, in areas with prominent and rugged topography, such as alpine or some volcanic regions, by a value based on the modelled contribution of the topographic masses to the gradient. Such prediction can be carried out with a digital elevation model (DEM) of sufficient resolution and accuracy. Here we present the VGG field computed for Mt. Etna (Italy), one of the most active and best monitored volcanoes worldwide, to illustrate how strongly the VGG deviates spatially from constant FAG. The predicted (modelled) VGG field is verified by in situ observations. We also take a look at the sensitivity of the VGG prediction to the resolution and quality of used DEMs. We conclude with discussing the applicability of the topo-predicted VGG field in near surface structural and volcanological micro-gravimetric studies.

Mapping of basement structure beneath the Kohima Synclinorium, north-east India via Bouguer gravity data modelling

Kohima Synclinorium is one of the most tectonically active corridors of Indian subcontinent and displays complex tectonics of the region. Mapping the basement structure beneath the Kohima Synform is, therefore, vital to provide deep insight into the understanding of the crucial thrust geometry of the region. The vertical gravity gradient anomalies and available geological evidences suggest that the underlying area is occupied by thrust geometry embedded with prominently known tectonic trends of Schuppen Belt (SB), Kohima–Patkai Synclinal (KS–PS) and adjoining Inner Fold Belts (IFB). By keeping in view the massive complex tectonic upheaval in the region, we carried out 2D Bouguer gravity data analysis using the radially averaged power spectral techniques and GMSYS modelling to map the basement depth more precisely. Our results suggest that there is a wide range of heterogeneity in the underlying undulating basement indicating an average sedimentary thickness of the order of 2.2–5.5 km. The gravity PDEPTH modelling results show that source depth varies from 2.5 to 6.5 km. There is an uplifted basement tending towards the southwestern part while gradual deepening of basement was observed towards the eastern part of the study area. The profile modelling results show the presence of basement in a depth range of 2.5–3.8, 3.8–4.0, and 3.8–4.2 km beneath Foreland Basin (FB), Kohima–Patkai Synclinal structures (KS–PS), and Inner Fold Belts (IFB), respectively. The underlying results of integrated profiles, PDEPTH and GMSYS modelling would be useful to understand the detailed basement structure and tectonic trends of Belt of Schuppen (BS), Kohima–Patkai Synclinal structures (KS–PS) and adjacent Inner Fold Belts (IFB) of north-eastern region of India.

The results of CCM.G-K2.2017 key comparison

The CCM.G-K2.2017 comparison was organised for the purpose of determination of the degree of equivalence of the national standards for free-fall acceleration measurement. The comparison was held in the Changping Campus of National Institute of Metrology China (NIM), from October to November in 2017. This is the first time that such a comparison is organized outside of the Europe continent and establishes a new global comparison sites in China. This comparison is also the largest ever organized with the participation of 13 instruments.We give the list of the participants who actually performed measurements during the comparison, the data (raw absolute gravity measurements and their uncertainties) submitted by the participants as well as the results of the vertical gravity gradient at the comparison sites. The measurement strategy is briefly discussed and the data elaboration is presented. Finally, the results of the data adjustment are presented including the degrees of equivalence (DoE) of the absolute gravimeters and the key comparison reference values (KCRVs). Overall, the measurements of KC instruments are all consistent given the declared uncertainties.Main textTo reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).

Static measurement of absolute gravity in truck based on atomic gravimeter

Currently, most of the experimental apparatuses of atomic gravimeters are complex in structure, large in size, and poor in environmental adaptability, so that they cannot be used to implement the absolute gravity measurement. Thus, the application areas of atomic gravimeter are greatly limited. In this paper, we integrate a system of absolute gravity measurement on a truck based on a compact homemade atomic gravimeter. This atomic gravimeter has a small size, light weight, low power consumption, and its accuracy is estimated as 10 μGal in the case of laboratory environment. This system consists of atomic gravimeter for gravity measurement, passive isolation platform for vibration suppression, posture platform for tilt adjustment, differential GPS for altitude measurement, UPS for power supply, air-conditioned truck for temperature control and transportation. At first, we estimate the performance of environmental adaptability for this measurement system on the truck, and it is found that this system can still work even at a high field temperature of 40 ℃ and a big tilt angle of 8° for the road. Besides, the experimental procedures of absolute gravity measurement and the methods of processing measured data are introduced. The Coriolis effect is analyzed and the dependence of measured gravity on the orientation of the truck has been measured. Finally, the repeated line measurements are performed on a flat field road. The accuracy of self-coincidence for absolute gravity measurement is evaluated to be 30 μGal and the difference in measured gravity among different locations is about 3080 μGal. Besides, we obtain the vertical gravity gradient of the earth by measuring the absolute gravity values at different altitude sites on a slope road, and the value is estimated to be －231(36) μGal/m. The presented results can provide the basic reference for the field absolute gravity survey.

3‐D Modeling of Vertical Gravity Gradients and the Delimitation of Tectonic Boundaries: The Caribbean Oceanic Domain as a Case Study

AbstractGeophysical data acquisition in oceanic domains is challenging, implying measurements with low and/or nonhomogeneous spatial resolution. The evolution of satellite gravimetry and altimetry techniques allows testing 3‐D density models of the lithosphere, taking advantage of the high spatial resolution and homogeneous coverage of satellites. However, it is not trivial to discretise the source of the gravity field at different depths. Here, we propose a new method for inferring tectonic boundaries at the crustal level. As a novelty, instead of modeling the gravity anomalies and assuming a flat Earth approximation, we model the vertical gravity gradients (VGG) in spherical coordinates, which are especially sensitive to density contrasts in the upper layers of the Earth. To validate the methodology, the complex oceanic domain of the Caribbean region is studied, which includes different crustal domains with a tectonic history since Late Jurassic time. After defining a lithospheric starting model constrained by up‐to‐date geophysical data sets, we tested several a‐priory density distributions and selected the model with the minimum misfits with respect to the VGG calculated from the EIGEN‐6C4 data set. Additionally, the density of the crystalline crust was inferred by inverting the VGG field. Our methodology enabled us not only to refine, confirm, and/or propose tectonic boundaries in the study area but also to identify a new anomalous buoyant body, located in the South Lesser Antilles subduction zone, and high‐density bodies along the Greater, Lesser, and Leeward Antilles forearcs.

Applying Iterative Method to Solving High-Order Terms of Seafloor Topography

We introduce an iterative inversion method to address the problems in high-order seafloor topography inversion using gravity data (gravity anomaly and vertical gravity gradient anomaly), such as the difficulty in computing the equation and the uniqueness of the calculation results. A part of the South China Sea is selected as the experimental area. Considering the coherence and admittance function of gravity topography and vertical gravity gradient topography, the inversion band of the gravity anomaly and vertical gravity gradient anomaly in the study area is 30 km–120 km. Seafloor topography models of different orders are constructed using an iterative method, and the performance of each seafloor topography model is analyzed against ETOPO1 and other seafloor topography models. The experimental results show that as the inversion order increases, the clarity and richness of seafloor topographic expression continuously improve. However, the accuracy of seafloor topography inversion does not improve significantly when the inversion order exceeds a certain value, which is related to the contribution of high-order seafloor topography to gravity information. The results show that the accuracy of BGT4 (inversion model constructed by the gravity anomaly) is slightly poorer than that of BVGGT4 (inversion model constructed by the vertical gravity gradient anomaly) in areas with complex topography, such as multi-seamounts and trenches, and the results are generally better in areas with flat seafloor topography.

Evaluation of global gravity models from absolute gravity and vertical gravity gradient measurements in Turkey

A global gravity model (GGM) is a mathematical function describing the gravity field of the Earth. The assessment of GGMs involves identifying the best-fitting model to local gravity field for geodetic and geophysical applications. Thus, highly accurate independent datasets are required to obtain the appropriate model. In general, GPS/levelling data have been used for this purpose. If these measurements are not performed simultaneously, they may not be reliable due to vertical deformations especially in seismically active countries. Therefore, we used highly precise absolute and vertical gravity gradient measurements obtained by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey’s (TUBITAK) National Metrology Institute and General Directorate of Mapping within the frame of Turkish Height System Modernization and Gravity Recovery Project over the period of 2016–2018 from Turkey to choose the best GGM for the whole of Turkey among the 19 latest tested satellite-only and combined GGMs (2004–2018). Our results showed that vertical gravity gradient measurements could also be used for the regional validation of GGMs as an independent in situ dataset. The GOCE based XGM2016 combined model and GO_CONS_GCF_2_TIM_R5 satellite-based model were found to be the best-fitting models. The results also showed improvements over the widely used EGM2008 up to the spherical degree 270 for Turkey. The improvements of the GOCE models over the EGM2008 model are mostly seen in mountainous areas such as the Black sea, Aegean Sea, some parts of the Mediterranean, and South-eastern Anatolia regions with maximum improvements in the coastal areas of the Eastern Black Sea. The best-fitting GGMs to local gravity field identified with these measurements could be used for further geodetic and geophysical purposes in Turkey.