Gravity Survey

Gravity Survey
 Gives an idea of the depth distribution of crystalline
terrains which have no chance of containing oil
 Used to distinguish between sedimentary basins and
the underlying basement
 When there is sufficient density contrast between the
sedimentary rocks and the basement rocks, gravity
surveys can detect the presence of subsurface folds,
geometry, extent, and depth.
 Can help locate faults, mineral or petroleum resources,
and ground-water reservoir.
Fundamental Principle
 2nd law of motion
 Expresses the mutual attractive force (F) between 2
masses m1 and m2 separated by a distance r

r
m1 m2

m1 m2 kg
G = =
r2 m2
 ∞ ∞
F= m1m2
r2
Where
= gravitational constant
(6.67 x 10-11 Nm2 / kg-2)
(6.673 x 10-8 cg/cm3/s2)
m1 = mass of the earth (5.97 x 1027 gms)
m2 = mass of the small body
r = radius of the earth (6.37 x 108)
Rock Densities
Sediments 1.8 -2.3
Sandstones 2.0-2.5
Salt 2.2
Limestone 2.5-2.7 (CaCo3)
Granite 2.6-2.8 (Silica rich)
Basalt 3.0 (Ferromagnesian rich)
Dunite 2.67
Pure water 1
Variation of Gravity
 Variation of Gravity with Latitude
 Variation due to Elevation (Free Air Correction)
 Variation of Gravity with Acceleration of Surface
Material
 Terrain Correction (Topography Correction)
Variation of Gravity with Latitude
 anomaly has been corrected for Earth rotation,
latitude, tidal effects, and gravity meter fluctuations

Equator = maximum rotation

Poles = minimum rotation
Variation due to Elevation
 Free Air Correction
 corrected for the gravity effect caused by the elevation
difference between the station and sea level (a
correction for distance)
 A standard for oceanic gravity interpretation.
 Sea level is equipotential

Fac = 0.3086 mgl / meter rise 1 Gal = 1cm / sec2

0.09406 mgl / foot rise

Increase in height = (+)

Decrease in height = (-)
Variation of Gravity with Acceleration of
Surface Material
 Bouger gravity anomaly
 further corrected for the mass that may exist between sea
level and the observer (a correction for mass) and is a
standard used in geologic interpretation on land
 A simple-Bouguer anomaly has undergone a simplified
removal of topographic effects, which suffices in relatively
flat areas
 A complete Bouguer anomaly contains a terrain correction
that uses a more complete representation of the local
topography, which is necessary for accurate gravity values
in mountainous areas
 BC = 0.0418 h mgl/ meter
= 0.1276 h mgl / foot

Where
= is the specific gravity of the rock

at land (-)
at sea (+)
Terrain Correction
 Topography Correction or isostatic gravity anomaly
 calculated by subtracting the gravitational effect of
low-density mountain roots below areas of high
topography.
 Isostasy is typified by floating icebergs that have 90%
of their mass of ice below water that supports a smaller
mass of ice projecting above water.
 TC = sign is always positive
 TC = <1 mgl for slope <10˚
>20 mgl for precipitous slopes

 Horizontal changes in mass caused by density of rock

in crystalline complex beneath the surface sediments
(up to 100 mgl)
 Horizontal changes in mass caused by the change in
density of surface or near surface rocks (<10 mgl)
 Changes in topographical configuration of buried
crystalline rock in subsurface
(usually less than 5 mgals)