Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Absolute gravity measurements in Switzerland: Definition of a base network for geodynamic investigations and for the Swiss fundamental gravity net

  • Published:
Bulletin Géodésique Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Results of two absolute gravity surveys performed in Switzerland between 1978 and 1979 are presented and discussed in the framework of the uplift history of the Swiss Alps. Five absolute stations have been established as a contribution to the Swiss fundamental gravity net as well as to geodynamic investigations on the Alpine uplift. Two sites (Interlaken-Jungfraujoch) form the end points of a calibration line for field gravimeters. The gravity range of this line amounts to 605 × 10−5 ms−2 (=605 mgal). It can be traversed in a relatively short time interval of less than 3 hours. Two other sites (Brig and Chur) are located in the area of the most negative gravity anomalies and highest uplift rates encountered in Switzerland. They serve as reference stations for a more extended gravity net for studying non-periodic secular gravity variations associated with the Alpine uplift.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

PAGEOPH:

Pure and Applied Geophysics

SMPM:

Schweizerische mineralogische und petrographische Mitteilungen

VPK:

Vermessung, Photogrammetrie, Kulturtechnik

References

  • S. AEGERTER, 1979: Geologische Uhren. Neue Zürcher Zeitung (Forschung und Technik), 229, Oct. 2: 53.

  • Alpine Explosion Seismology Group, 1976: A lithospheric seismic profile along the axis of the Alps, 1975. I.: First results. PAGEOPH, 114: 1109–1130.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • J. ANSORGE and St. MUELLER, 1979: The structure of the earth’s crust and upper mantle from controlled source observations. SMPM, 59: 133–140.

    Google Scholar 

  • G. BOEDECKER, E. REINHART and 13. RICHTER, 1979: The New Gravity Base Net of the Federal Republic of Germany (DSGN 76). Paper presented at XVII I.U.G.G. General Assembly Canberra (Australia), 26 p.

  • L. CANNIZZO, G. CERUTTI and I. MARSON, 1978: Absolute gravity measurements in Europe. II Nuovo Cimento, 1C, No. 1: 39–85.

    Google Scholar 

  • F. CHAPERON, A. ELMIGER, H.-G. KAHLE, St. MUELLER and I. MARSON, 1981: Precise height determinations of absolute gravity sites in Switzerland. In prep.

  • S.P. CLARK Jr. and E. JAEGER, 1969: Denudation rate in the Alps from geochronologic and heat flow data. American Journal of Science, 267: 1143–1160.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • R. EGLOFF and J. ANSORGE, 1976: Die Krustenstruktur unter dem Faltenjura. 36th annual meeting of the German Geophys. Soc., Bochum, Abstract, p. 39.

  • R. EGLOFF, 1979: Sprengseismische Untersuchungen der Erdkruste in der Schweiz. Ph.D. thesis, ETH Zürich, Nr. 6502: 167 p.

  • J.E. FALLER, 1965: Results of an absolute determination of the acceleration of gravity. J. Geophys. Res., 70: 4035.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • J.E. FALLER, R.L. RINKER and M.A. ZUMBERGE, 1978: Plans for the development of a portable absolute gravimeter: A tool for studying non-tidal variations in gravity. Bollettino di Geofisica Teorica ed Applicata, 20: 355–362.

    Google Scholar 

  • G. GREINER and J.H. ILLIES, 1977: Central Europe: Active or residual tectonic stresses. PAGEOPH, 115: 11–26.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • M. GRUENENFELDER and V. KOEPPEL, 1980: Geochronological Data of the Swiss Alps. In: Schweiz. Geologische Kommission (Ed.), Geology of Switzerland - A guide book, Part A: 87–89. Wepf & Co. Publishers, Basel, New York}

  • E. GUBLER, 1976: Beitragdes Landesnivellements zur Bestimmung vertikaler Krustenbewegungen in der Gotthard-Region. SMPM, 56: 675–78.

    Google Scholar 

  • E. GUBLER, H.-G. KAHLE, E. KLINGELÉ, St. MUELLER and R. OLIVlER, 1981: Recent crustal movements in Switzerland and their geophysical interpretation. Tectonophysics, 71: 125–152.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • J.A. HAMMOND and J.E. FALLER, 1971 a: Results of absolute gravity determinations at a number of different sites. J. Geophys. Res., 76: 7850.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • J.A. HAMMOND and J.E. FALLER, 1971 b: A laser-interferometer system for the absolute determination of the acceleration due to gravity. National Bureau of Standards. Spec. Publ. 343: 457–463. U.S. Government Printing Office. Washington, D.C.

    Google Scholar 

  • J.A. HAMMOND and R.L. ILIFF, 1978: The AFGL Absolute Gravity Program, Proceedings of the 9th GEOP Conference. Dept. of Geodetic Science Report No. 280. The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, U.S.A.

  • A. HIRSCH and E. PLANTAMOUR, 1891: Nivellement de précision de la Suisse, exécuté par la Commission Géodésique Fédérale. Livraisons I–X (1867–1891).

  • K.J, HSÜ, 1971: Origin of the Alps and western Mediterranean. Nature, 233: 44–48.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • K.J. HSÜ, 1979: Thin-skinned plate tectonics during Neo-Alpine orogenesis. Amer. J. of Science, 279: 353–366.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • H. ILLIES und G. GREINER, 1976: Regionales Stress-Feld und Neotektonik in Mitteleuropa. Oberrhein. Geol. Abh., 25: 1–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • H. ILLIES and G. GREINER, 1978: Rhinegraben and the Alpine system. Geol. Soc. Am. Bull., 89: 770–782.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • International Gravity Commission, 1978: Resolution No. 3, VIII Meeting of the International Gravity Commission. Bureau Gravimetrique International. Bulletin d’lnformationNo. 43:1-26

  • H. JAECKLI, 1958: Der rezente. Abtragder Alpen im Spiegel der Vorland-sedimentation. Eclogae geol. Helv. 51 / 2: 354–365.

    Google Scholar 

  • F. JEANRICHARD, 1972: Contribution à l’étude de rnouvement vertical des Alpes. Bolletino di Geodesia e Scienze Affini, 31: 17–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • F. JEANRICHARD, 1973: Nivellement et surrection actuelle des Alpes. VPK, 71/1: 3–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • F. JEANRICHARD, 1975: Summary of geodetic studies of recent crustal movements in Switzerland. Tectonophysics, 29: 289–292.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • H.-G. KAHLE, E. KLINGELÉ, St. MUELLER and R. EGLOFF, 1976 a: The variation of crustal thickness across the Swiss Alps based on gravity and explosion seismic data. PAGEOPH, 114: 479–494.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • H.-G. KAHLE, E. KLINGELÉ, St. MUELLER and R. EGLOFF, 1976 b: Gravimetrie, Sprengseismik und Krustenmächtigkeit entlang der Schweizer Geotraverse. SMPM, 56: 679–684.

    Google Scholar 

  • H.-G. KAHLE, St. MUELLER, E. KLINGELÉ, R. EGLOFF and E. KISSLING, 1980: Recent dynamics, crustal structure and gravity in the Alps. In: N. Mörner (ed.), Earth Rheology, Isostasy, and Eustasy: 377–388. John Wiley & Sons.

  • H.-G. KAHLE and D. WERNER, 1980: Ageophysical study of the Rhinegraben. Part II: Gravity anomalies and geothermal implications. Geophys. J. R. astr. Soc., 62: 631–648.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • E. KLINGELÉ, 1980: Isostatic gravity anomaly map of Switzerland. Bundesamt für Landestopographie, Bern. In press.

  • E. KLINGELÉ and R. OLIVIER, 1981: Die neue Schwerekarte der Schweiz. Matériaux pour la Géologie de la Suisse, Série Géophysique, No. 20, Kümmerly & Frey, Bern. In press.

  • E. KLINGELÉ et H.-G. KAHLE, 1981: Une ligne de calibration gravimétrique Interlaken-Jungfraujoch (Suisse). VPK, 1: 10–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • F. KOBOLD, 1977: Die Hebung der Alpen aus dem Vergleich des “Nivellement de Précision” der Schweiz. Geodätischen Kommission mit dem Landesnivellement der Eidgen. Landestopographie. VPK, 4: 129–137.

    Google Scholar 

  • I. MARSON and C. MORELLI, 1978: First order gravity net in Italy. Boll. di Geodesie e Scienze Affini, 4: 559–689.

    Google Scholar 

  • I. MARSON and F. ALASIA, 1979: Absolute measurements of the gravity acceleration in the United States of America. Boll. di Geodesie e Scienze Affini, 2: 285–304.

    Google Scholar 

  • D. MAYER-ROSA and N. PAVONI, 1977: Fault plane solutions of earthquakes in Switzerland from 1971–1976. Publ. Int. Geophys. Pol. Aced. Sci., A-5: 321–326.

    Google Scholar 

  • D. MAYER-ROSA and St. MUELLER, 1979: Studies of seismicity and selected focal mechanisms in Switzerland. SMPM, 59: 127–132.

    Google Scholar 

  • C. MORELLI, 1971 (ed.): The International Gravity Standardization Net 1971 (IGSN 71). Association Internationale de Géodésie, Publ. No. 4, Paris, 194 p.

  • St. MUELLER, 1970: Geophysical aspects of graben formation in continental rift systems. In: J.H. lilies and St. Mueller (eds.), Graben Problems, Schweizerbart, Stuttgart, pp.: 27–37.

  • St. MUELLER and M. TALWANI, 1971: A crustal section across the Eastern Alps based on gravity and seismic refraction data. PAGEOPH, 85: 226–239.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • St. MUELLER, R. EGLOFF and J. ANSORGE, 1976: Die Struktur der tieferen Untergrundes entlang der schweizerischen Geotraverse. SMPM, 56: 685–692.

    Google Scholar 

  • St. MUELLER, H.-G. KAHLE and E. KISSLING, 1977: Seismik und Schwere entlang der Schweizer Geotraverse. Abstract Salzburg 1977, Int. Syrup. “Geodynamics and Geotraverses around the Alps”.

  • St. MUELLER, 1977: A new model of the continental crust. In: Geophysical Monograph, 20: 289–317. The Earth’s crust. American Geophysical Union, Washington, D.C.

  • St. MUELLER and W.F. OBERHOLZER (eds.), 1979: International Geodynamics Project, Final Report of Switzerland, SMPM, 59: 115–217.

  • St. MUELLER, J. ANSORGE, R. EGLOFF and E. KISSLING, 1980: A crustal cross section along the Swiss Geotraverse from the Rhinegraben to the Po Plain. Eclogae geol, Helv., 73/2: 463–483.

    Google Scholar 

  • G.F. PANZA and St. MUELLER, 1978: The plate boundary between Eurasia and Africa in the Alpine area. Memorie di Scienze Geologiche, 33: 43–50.

    Google Scholar 

  • N. PAVONI and D. MAYER-ROSA, 1978: Seismotektonische Karte der Schweiz, 1: 750.000. Eclogae geol. Helv., 71: 293–295.

    Google Scholar 

  • L. RYBACH, 1979: The Swiss Geotraverse from Basel to Chiasso. SMPM, 59: 199–206.

    Google Scholar 

  • L. RYBACH and P. FINCKH, 1979: Heat flow data in Switzerland. In: V. Cermak and L. Rybach (eds.), Terrestrial Heat Flow in Europe, Springer Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, pp. 278-282.

    Google Scholar 

  • A. SAKUMA, 1971: Recent developments in the absolute measurements of gravitational acceleration. In: D.N. Langenberg and B.N. Taylor (eds.), National Bureau of Standards. Spec. Publ. 343: 447-456. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.

  • Swiss Geodetic Commission, 1901: Catalogues des Hauteurs suisses. 2nd volume (Xe Livr.) de “Nivellement de precision de la Suisse”.

  • R. TRUEMPY, 1973: The timing of orogenic events in the Central Alps. In: K.A. De Jong and R. Scholten (eds.), Gravity and Tectonics: 229–251. Wiley & Sons, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • R. TRUEMPY, 1980: An outline of the Geology of Switzerland. In:Schweiz. Geologische Kommission (ed.), Geology of Switzerland - A guide book, Part A. Wepf & Co. Publishers, Basel, New York.

  • G.A. WAGNER and G.M. REIMER, 1972: Fission track tectonics: the tectonic interpretation of fission track apatite ages. Earth Plan, Sc. Lett., 14: 263–268.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • G.A. WAGNER, G.M. REIMER and E. JAEGER, 1977: Cooling ages derived by apatite fission track, mica Rb-Sr and K-Ar dating: The uplift and cooling history of the Central Alps. Mere. Ist. Geol. Mineral. Univ. di Padova, Vol. XXX, 28 p.

  • D. WERNER, V. KOEPPEL, R. HAENNYand L. RYBACH, 1976: Cooling Models for the Lepontine Area (Central Swiss Alps). SMPM, 56: 661–667.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Istituto di Miniere e Geofisica Applicata, Università degli studi di Trieste, Facoltà di Ingegneria, Viale R. Gessi 4, I-34123, Trieste, Italia

    I. Marson

  2. Institut für Geodäsie und Photogrammetrie, ETH-Hönggerberg, CH-8093, Zürich, Switzerland

    H. -G. Kahle & F. Chaperon

  3. Institut für Geophysik, ETH-Hönggerberg, CH-8093, Zürich, Switzerland

    St. Mueller

  4. Istituto di Metrologia, G. Colonnetti, Strada delle Cacce 73, I-10135, Torino

    F. Alasia

Authors
  1. I. Marson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. H. -G. Kahle
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. F. Chaperon
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. St. Mueller
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. F. Alasia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Institut für Geodäsie und Photogrammetrie, ETH-Zürich, Separata No. 13.

Institut für Geophysik, ETH-Zürich, Contribution No. 333.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Marson, I., Kahle, H.G., Chaperon, F. et al. Absolute gravity measurements in Switzerland: Definition of a base network for geodynamic investigations and for the Swiss fundamental gravity net. Bull. Geodesique 55, 203–217 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02530861

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02530861

Keywords

Search

Navigation