Gravity anomaly

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Not to be confused with Gravitational anomaly.
A gravity anomaly is the difference between the observed acceleration of a planet's reaction to
gravity and a value predicted from a model. A location with a positive anomaly exhibits more
gravity than predicted, while a negative anomaly exhibits a lower value than predicted. The
anomaly is the body or effect that causes the deviation from the "ideal" gravity model. Many data
corrections must be made to the measured gravity value in order to extract the response of the
local anomaly, or local geology, which is typically the goal of applied geophysics.

Causes Edit

Gravity and geoid anomalies caused by various crustal and lithospheric thickness changes relative
to a reference configuration. All settings are under local isostatic compensation.
Lateral variations in gravity anomalies are related to anomalous density distributions within the
Earth. Gravity measures help us to understand the internal structure of the planet. Synthetic
calculations show that the gravity anomaly signature of a thickened crust (for example, in
orogenic belts produced by continental collision) is negative and larger in absolute value, relative
to a case where thickening affects the entire lithosphere.

The Bouguer anomalies usually are negative in the mountains because they involve reducing out
the attraction of the mountain mass, by about 100 milligals per kilometre of mountain height. In
large mountain areas, they are even more negative than this because of isostasy: the rock density
of the mountain roots is lower, compared with the surrounding earth's mantle, causing a further
gravity deficit. Typical anomalies in the Central Alps are −150 milligals (−1.5 mm/s²). Rather
local anomalies are used in applied geophysics: if they are positive, this may indicate metallic
ores. At scales between entire mountain ranges and ore bodies, Bouguer anomalies may indicate
rock types. For example, the northeast-southwest trending high across central New Jersey (see
figure) represents a graben of Triassic age largely filled with dense basalts. Salt domes are
typically expressed in gravity maps as lows, because salt has a low density compared to the rocks
the dome intrudes. Anomalies can help to distinguish sedimentary basins whose fill differs in
density from that of the surrounding region - see Gravity Anomalies of Britain and Ireland for
example.

Geodesy and geophysics Edit

In geodesy and geophysics, the usual theoretical model is the gravity on the surface of a reference
ellipsoid such as WGS84.

To understand the nature of the gravity anomaly due to the subsurface, a number of corrections
must be made to the measured gravity value:

The theoretical gravity (smoothed normal gravity) should be removed in order to leave only local
effects.
The elevation of the point where each gravity measurement was taken must be reduced to a
reference datum to compare the whole profile. This is called the Free-air Correction, and when
combined with the removal of theoretical gravity leaves the free-air anomaly.
the normal gradient of gravity (rate of change of gravity by change of elevation), as in free air,
usually 0.3086 milligals per meter, or the Bouguer gradient of 0.1967 mGal/m (19.67 µm/(s²·m)
which considers the mean rock density (2.67 g/cm³) beneath the point; this value is found by
subtracting the gravity due to the Bouguer plate, which is 0.1119 mGal/m (11.19 µm/(s²·m)) for
this density. Simply, we have to correct for the effects of any material between the point where
gravimetry was done and the geoid. To do this we model the material in between as being made up
of an infinite number of slabs of thickness t. These slabs have no lateral variation in density, but
each slab may have a different density than the one above or below it. This is called the Bouguer
correction.
and (in special cases) a digital terrain model (DTM). A terrain correction, computed from a model
structure, accounts for the effects of rapid lateral change in density, e.g. edge of plateau, cliffs,
steep mountains, etc.

(Bouguer) gravity anomaly map of the state of New Jersey (USGS)

For these reductions, different methods are used:

The gravity changes as we move away from the surface of the Earth. For this reason, we must
compensate with the free-air anomaly (or Faye's anomaly): application of the normal gradient
0.3086 mGal/m, but no terrain model. This anomaly means a downward shift of the point, together
with the whole shape of the terrain. This simple method is ideal for many geodetic applications.
simple Bouguer anomaly: downward reduction just by the Bouguer gradient (0.1967). This
anomaly handles the point as if it is located on a flat plain.
refined (or complete) Bouguer anomaly (usual abbreviation ΔgB): the DTM is considered as
accurate as possible, using a standard density of 2.67 g/cm³ (granite, limestone). Bouguer
anomalies are ideal for geophysics because they show the effects of different rock densities in the
subsurface.
The difference between the two - the differential gravitational effect of the unevenness of the
terrain - is called the terrain effect. It is always negative (up to 100 milligals).
The difference between Faye anomaly and ΔgB is called Bouguer reduction (attraction of the
terrain).
special methods like that of Poincaré-Prey, using an interior gravity gradient of about 0.0848
milligal per meter (848 nm/(s²·m)). These methods are valid for the gravity within boreholes or for
special geoid computations.
Satellite measurements Edit

Large-scale gravity anomalies can be detected from space. The Gravity Recovery and Climate
Experiment (GRACE) consists of two satellites that can detect gravitational changes across the
Earth.

See also Edit

Gravimetry
Physical geodesy
Vertical deflection
References

External links

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Last edited 20 days ago by Lavalizard101
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