Modelling Local Gravity Anomalies from Processed Observed Gravity Measurements for Geodetic Applicat

What is it about?

As the application of gravity data in applied sciences such as geodesy, geodynamics, astronomy, physics and geophysics for earth shape determination, geoid model determination, computation of terrestrial mass displacement, orbit computation of natural and artificial celestial bodies, realization of force standards and derived quantities and density distribution in the different layers in the upper crust and having considered the cost of direct gravity survey, the study presents modelling local gravity anomalies from processed observed gravity measurements for geodetic application in Benin City. A total of 22 points were used. The points were respectively observed with CHC900 dual frequency GNSS receivers and SCINTREX CG-5 Autograv to obtain their coordinates and absolute gravity values. The theoretical gravity values of the points were computed on the Clarke 1880 ellipsoid to obtain their local gravity anomalies. The free air and the Bouguer corrections were applied to the computed gravity anomalies to obtain the free air and the Bouguer gravity anomalies of the points. Least squares adjustment technique was applied to obtain the model variables coefficient/parameters, as well as to fit the fifth-degree polynomial interpolation surface to the computed free air and the Bouguer gravity anomalies. Kriging method was applied using Surfer 12 software to plot the computed and the models' free air and Bouguer gravity anomalies. Microsoft Excel programs were developed for the application of the models in the study area. The Root Mean Square Errors (RMSEs) and the standard errors of the two models were computed to obtain the dependability, as well as reliability of the models. It is recommended that whenever either free air or Bouguer gravity anomalies of points within Benin City are to be obtained for application in applied sciences, the determined models should be applied.

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Photo by NASA on Unsplash

Photo by NASA on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Gravity data set is required for application in geodesy, geodynamics, astronomy, physics and geophysics. In environmental and engineering there uses are: (1) detection of subsurface voids including caves, adits, mine shafts, (2) determining the amount of subsidence in surface collapse features over time (3) determination of soil and glacier sediment thickness (bedrock topography), (4) location of buried sediment valleys, (5) determination of groundwater volume and changes in water table levels over time in alluvial basins, (6) mapping the volume, lateral and vertical extent of landfills, (7) mapping steeply dipping contacts including faults and (8) determining the location of unexploded ordinances. With this study, the gravity data of any point in the study area can easily be determined by interpolation for use in the above stated fields.

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