Gravity Method

Gravity Method - Measurements of the gravitational field at a series of different locations over an area of interest. The objective in exploration work is to associate variations with differences in the distribution of densities and hence rock types. Occasionally the whole gravitational field is measured or derivatives of the gravitational field, but usually the difference between the gravity field at two points is measured*.

Useful References

• Burger, H. R., Exploration Geophysics of the Shallow Subsurface, Prentice Hall P T R, 1992.
• Robinson, E. S., and C. Coruh, Basic Exploration Geophysics, John Wiley, 1988.
• Telford, W. M., L. P. Geldart, and R. E. Sheriff, Applied Geophysics, 2nd ed., Cambridge University Press, 1990.
• Xiong Li and Hans-Jurgen Gotze Tutorial in Geodesy and Gravity
• Hill, P. et al. Introduction to Potential Fields: Gravity. USGS fact sheet, written for the general public, on using gravity to understand subsurface structure.
• Bankey, V. and P. Hill. Potential-Field Computer Programs, Databases, and Maps. USGS fact sheet describing a variety of resources available from the USGS and the NGDC applicable for the processing of gravity observations.
• NGDC Gravity Data on CD-ROM (data can be downloaded as well), land gravity data base at the National Geophysical Data Center. Useful for estimating regional gravity field.
• Glossary of Gravity Terms.

*Definition from the Encyclopedic Dictionary of Exploration Geophysics by R. E. Sheriff, published by the Society of Exploration Geophysics.