Gravity Method

By
Prof. P. R. Mohanty
Department of AGP
IIT (ISM), Dhanbad
Introduction
 Gravity is an important and useful tool for studying the mass (density) distribution in the Earth’s interior.
 Any lateral variation in densities of crustal as well as mantle rocks below the surface produce variations in
gravity on the surface of the earth.
 Since gravity varies inversely as the square of distance, rocks lying very close to the surface account for a
significant variation in gravity at the surface.
 As the surface of the earth is very irregular, the large topographic variations results in mass heterogeneities
and change the gravity field from point to point on the earth’s surface.
 Apart from this, the overall shape as well as rotation of the earth also produce variations in gravity field
from equator to the pole.
 The main aim in gravity prospecting is to identify / retrieve minor or small scale variations in the gravity
field (called as gravity anomalies) due to sources of geological interest from the observed gravity field on
the earth's surface.
Densities of Common Rocks and Ore Minerals (Mg M-3)

Common Rocks Density Value (Mg M-3)

Dry sand 1.4-1.65
Serpentinite 2.5-2.6
Wet sand 1.95-2.05
Gneiss 2.65-2.75
Coal 1.2-1.5
Granite 2.5-2.7
Chalk 1.9-2.1
Dolerite 2.5-3.1
Salt 2.1-2.4
Basalt 2.7-3.1
Limestone 2.6-2.7
Gabbro 2.7-3.3
Quartzite 2.6-2.7
peridotite 3.1-3.4
Newton’s Law Of Gravitation
 The basis of gravity method is Newton’s law of gravitation which states the force of attraction F between two
point masses M1 and M2 separated by a distance r, is given by:
 Where ‘r’ is the distance between the two masses, ‘G’ is the universal gravitational constant. According to
Newton’s second law, the force acting on a mass responsible for its motion is:
 In the absence of any other force besides the one generated by M, one can write: or
 Units of gravitational acceleration: Galileo made the first measurement of the acceleration due to gravity, so in
his honor, the c.g.s unit of gravity is called Gal. 1 Gal=1cm/sec 2 =10-2 m/sec2
 Mean value of gravity on the earth’s surface is generally considered as 981 Gals. Since the anomalies of
geological interest in gravity prospecting are much smaller in comparison to the total magnitude of
acceleration, the practical unit adopted in gravity measurements is mGal, which is roughly one-millionth of
total gravity filed of earth.
 In S.I units, gravity is commonly measured in terms of μm/s-2 or g.u (gravity unit) which is 1g.u = 0.1 mGal
 In gravity exploration, both mGal and g.u are commonly used. While g can be referred to total gravity field of
the earth (observed / absolute), Δg is generally used to indicate gravity anomalies.
 International gravity formula: gϕ= g0(1 + α sin2 ϕ + β sin2 ϕ), where g0 is the value at the equator, of
978.0318 gals, and the constants α and β are 0.0053024 and -0.0000058.
Why Gravity is More at Poles , Not at Equator?
 The distance to the center of mass of the Earth is shorter at the poles than at the equator giving rise to an
excess gravity of 6600mGal at the poles.
 Effect of the centrifugal force diminishes gravity at the equator giving rise to an excess gravity of
3375mGal at pole.
 Therefore an excess gravity of 9975 mGal (6600+3375) should be observed at poles, instead, the
observed gravity difference is only 5186 mGal. This discrepancy is due to the fact that the equatorial
bulge places an excess of mass in the equator, increasing the equatorial gravitational attraction.
 Absolute Gravity measurements: g can be determined directly by measuring length and/or time.

 Relative gravity measurements: Tell you the relative differences in g between two locations or two
times. Gravimeters are designed to measure the difference in gravity between observation sites.

 Gradiometer measurements: Useful to measure spatial rate of change in gravity field.

Gravimeters
 The relative gravity changes can be measured more accurately as well as easily using the gravimeters. On
the basis of means used for measurement of small changes in the length of spring, gravimeters can be
divides into two types.
 Stable Gravimeters
 Unstable Gravimeters
 Stable Gravimeters
 These work on the principle of Hooke’s law
 These type of gravimeters uses a system which gives a high order of optical or mechanical magnification
so that a change in
 position of a weight or associated property resulting from a gravity is measured directly.
 These type of instruments give readings that vary linearly with gravity over a wide range.
 Examples: Hartley gravimeter, Askania sea gravity meter Gss 3
Gravimeters
Unstable Gravimeter

These work on the principle of Astatisation.

uses a moving system which approaches a point of instability so that minute

changes in gravity produce significant displacement in the position of the mass.

This is achieved by creating a labializing force reinforcing the gravity force and
hence opposing the stabilizing force of the restoring spring.

Examples: Thyssen gravimeter, LaCoste-Romberg gravimeter, Worden

gravimeter, CG-5
Zero-length spring
 The zero length spring is one where length is proportional to the forces applied.
 It differs from the ordinary spring in the sense that the ordinary spring follows Hooke’s law and thus
the elongation ,but not the total length is directly proportional to forces acting on it.
 This condition applied to a gravimeter permits the design of an instrument with a theoretically
infinite period.
Planning A Gravity Survey
 As application of gravity for various geological problems such as deep crustal studies, sedimentary basins, for
locating or identifying rifts, faults, dykes, plutons, buried stream beds etc. require different survey parameters
and precision requirements, an effective gravity survey has to be properly planned and designed so as to make
complete benefit.
 For designing a gravity survey, we have to take into account survey dimensions, orientation of regional and
local geology and strike, topography, accessibility( road network), knowledge of target ( probable area and
depth) and stringent quality control during data acquisition.
 Survey design parameters:
 Reference Base station,
 Re-occupation interval of the base station,
 Station spacing,
 Traverse length and direction of the traverse,
 Precision and accuracy.

 All the decisions are made in order to reduce the total cost while maintaining a survey design that provide
best possible results.
Requirement of Gravity Base Station
 Since the gravimeters can measure only the relative gravity variations , we need a reference station called the base station,
where the absolute gravity is known. Reference gravity base stations generally will be established by agencies/institutes
involved in gravity surveys by tying to primary gravity base (In India it is Dehradun) through a network of secondary base
station.

 Useful to eliminate the instrument drift and temporal gravity changes (tidal effect).

 If the area to be surveyed is very large, a number of secondary bases must be established keeping the available as a primary
reference station.

 Why: Allows merging of different survey data sets and for correct application of latitude correction.

 How: Ties between base stations are either made by looping ( forward looping method) or two fold three way loops closed
within 90 minutes.

 A number of sites exist in India with accurate values tied to the International gravity standardization Net 1971.

 The earlier base values derived from Potsdam datum can be converted to IGSN71 system.

 Reoccupation of base station: It depends on the drift characteristics of the gravimeter. In general we will reoccupy the base
station within 2-3 hours (within the tidal cycle).

 Drift has two components: Cyclic component due to effect of the gravitational attraction of Sun and Moon (causing tides)

 Approximately linear component due to instrumental drift.

Standard Gravity Correction
Instrument drift correction Compensates for drift in the instrument’s spring
Earth tide correction Corrects for tidal effect of moon & sun
Latitude correction Incorporates the variation of the Earth’s gravity with
latitude
Free air correction Accounts for the variation in the gravity due to elevation
relative to sea level
Bouguer correction Corrects for the attraction of material between the station
and sea level
Terrain correction Removes the effect of topography to a radial distance of
166.7 km
Isostatic correction Removes long-wavelength variations in the gravity field
related to topography
Eötvös Correction For a moving platform
Data Reduction on Land
 In order to convert field measurements into gravity
anomalies that are meaningful and caused by geological
structures, a series of correction have to be employed.
 Drift and Earth tide correction: Station measurements
between different base loops have to be corrected by
assuming linear drift.
 In order to accurately correct for instrument drift and tidal
effects, the time measurements during the data acquisition
are very important.
 Using the appropriate calibration chart, the gravimeter
scale readings can be converted into relative gravity
values in mGals. At the end of these corrections, base ties
with a reference primary base provide us with absolute
gravity values (g obs) at each field station.
 Spatial variations in the gravity values can be ascribed to
variations in earth’s topography, normal gravity variations
on the surface of a earth and anomalous sources of
geological interest.
 Data Reduction on Land
 Latitude Correction: The gravity varies with
latitude and correction for this effect is applied by
substituting the theoretical gravity values (g φ) at
any given latitude (φ) defined by appropriate
International gravity formula.
 For exploration purposes, any post-1967 version is
usually adequate

 gφ=978032.7(1+0 .0053024 sin2φ−0 .0000058

sin2φ)
 Free-air Correction: This correction is applied Free air correction accounts for the difference in gravity
when the gravity measurements are made above or between the sea level and at an elevation h without considering
below the mean sea level (MSL). rock masses in between.
In practice, general correction factor is -0.3086 mGal/m.
Bouguer Correction: In this the observed gravity is reduced to sea level by making a correction for station elevation
and removing the mass above sea level assuming the mass as an infinite horizontal slab of density ρ with thickness equal
to station elevation.
The appropriate formula for the effect of infinite horizontal plate of density contrast Δρ and thickness h is:
δ Bouguer slab = 2π GΔρh = 0.04193 Δρh, where ρ is in g/cm3 and h in meters.
Simple Bouguer Anomaly: ΔgB.A= (gobs+ δF.C–δB.s) – gØ
Bouguer Anomaly (Complete): The assumption of infinite Bouguer slab would be almost valid in areas of subdued
topography without much undulations. However in the areas of rugged topography, considering Bouguer slab having
thickness equal to station elevation leaves voids below the plane of calculation as well as hills above this plane and both
produce negative effect at the station. Therefore in the continental regions terrain correction is always positive.
Terrain Correction
 In areas of high relief, detailed topographic corrections must be made.
 In the figure below, the topographic mass (Hill) above the gravity station exerts an upward pull on the gravity
meter, the effect is negative and the correction is positive.
 The valley ,on the other hand, occupies a region that the Bouguer correction assumed to be filled with rock that
would
 exert a downwards gravitational pull. This rock does not exist. The terrain correction must compensate for an
over-correction by the Bouguer plate and is again positive.

 This correction can be done manually by placing the transparent Hammer chart on the topographic map with the
center at the gravity station (as shown in figure) and the difference between the average height of the terrain and
the height of the station is estimated for each compartment. The corresponding corrections are then obtained from
tables .
 Computers can simplify this process but require terrain data in digital form and may be equally time consuming
unless a digital terrain model (DTM) already exists.
 Once the terrain correction is computed, the complete Bouguer anomaly can
be computed as
 Δg B.A (complete) = (g obs + δ F.C – δ B.S + ε t ) – g Ø

 This can be simplified as = (g obs + (0.3086-0.0419.ρ)h+ ε t ) – g Ø