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Combined geological and gravimetric mapping and modelling for an improved understanding of observed high-resolution gravity variations: a case study for the Global Geodynamics Project (GGP) station Moxa, Germany

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Abstract

Geodynamic observatories around the globe continuously monitor signals like gravity, tilt and strain as a function of time. However, global signals are often masked by local effects, caused by the direct surroundings of the station, including the local geological setting. This link is well established for superconducting gravimeters (SG) that observe the gravity field variations at very high resolution. An enhancement of the SG time series by the application of local correction is exemplarily shown here in a very practicable procedure for the Geodynamic Observatory Moxa, Germany. We show how the combination of geological and gravimetrical mapping and modelling around Moxa results in a significant correction of the original gravity data, as can be proven by comparison with the satellite-derived gravity field. Detailed geological mapping of the observatory surroundings, including measurements of fold axes, foliations and joints, was the basis of the present study. The fold structure in the area of interest was interpreted by geometrical 3D modelling. The complete representation of different rock types in space also provides a better understanding of the local hydro-geological situation. Using a combination of the 3D geological model with the high-resolution Bouguer map of the observatory surroundings, we developed a 3D density model. This model enables the correction of small gravity effects caused by mass variations close to the SG, in particular local hydro-geological mass changes. Thus, the procedure presented here, based on a close connection of geology and gravimetry, is a powerful tool for the reduction of local gravity effects on SG recordings. It should be applicable to SG stations worldwide, where similar hydrologically driven mass changes can be assumed.

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Acknowledgments

We thank R. Dlugosch, H. Hartmann, A. Hegewald, A. Weise, and S. Zeumann, who participated in the gravity measurements, and H.-J. Götze and S. Schmidt for helpful discussions concerning the Bouguer and free-air anomaly as well as the software package IGMAS. T. Heuse, J. Ellenberg, K. Götze, F. Jähne and I. Zander supported our work with geological discussion, which is gratefully acknowledged. We are indebted to the technical staff of the Geodynamic Observatory Moxa, Matthias Meininger and Wernfrid Kühnel for providing housing during the field work and a lot of scientific discussion. We thank reviewer A.G. Dehghani and one anonymous reviewer for their useful corrections and suggestions.

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  1. Institute of Geosciences, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Burgweg 11, 07749, Jena, Germany

    Norbert Kasch, Marco Naujoks, Jonas Kley & Thomas Jahr

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  1. Norbert Kasch
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Correspondence to Norbert Kasch.

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Kasch, N., Naujoks, M., Kley, J. et al. Combined geological and gravimetric mapping and modelling for an improved understanding of observed high-resolution gravity variations: a case study for the Global Geodynamics Project (GGP) station Moxa, Germany. Int J Earth Sci (Geol Rundsch) 102, 1257–1270 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-012-0859-z

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