Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Edge enhancement of gravity anomalies and gravity gradient tensors using an improved small sub-domain filtering method

  • Published:
Applied Geophysics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In order to enhance geological body boundary visual effects in images and improve interpretation accuracy using gravity and magnetic field data, we propose an improved small sub-domain filtering method to enhance gravity anomalies and gravity gradient tensors. We discuss the effect of Gaussian white noise on the improved small sub-domain filtering method, as well as analyze the effect of window size on geological body edge recognition at different extension directions. Model experiments show that the improved small sub-domain filtering method is less affected by noise, filter window size, and geological body edge direction so it can more accurately depict geological body edges than the conventional small sub-domain filtering method. It also shows that deeply buried body edges can be well delineated through increasing the filter window size. In application, the enhanced gravity anomalies and calculated gravity gradient tensors of the Hulin basin show that the improved small sub-domain filtering can recognize more horizontal fault locations than the conventional method.

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

References

  • Beiki, M., 2010, Analytic signals of gravity gradient tensor and their application to estimate source location: Geophysics, 75(6), I59–I74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blakely, R. J., 1995, Potential theory in gravity and magnetic applications: Cambridge University Press, New York.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Clarke, G. K. C., 1969, Optimum second derivative and downward continuation filters: Geophysics, 34(3), 424–437.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cooper, G. R. J., and Cowan, D. R. 2006, Enhancing potential field data using filters based on the local phase: Computers and Geosciences, 32(10), 1585–1591.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cordell, L., 1979, Gravimetric expression of graben faulting in Santa Fe County and the Espanola Basin, New Mexico: in Ingersoll, R.V. ed., Guidebook to Santa Fe County, 30th Field Conference, New Mexico Geological Society, 59–64.

  • Craig, M., 1996, Analytic signals for multivariate data: Mathematical Geology, 28(3), 315–329.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dean, W. C., 1958, Frequency analysis for gravity and magnetic interpretation: Geophysics, 23(1), 97–127.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fedi, M., and Florio, G., 2001, Detection of potential fields source boundaries by enhanced horizontal derivative method: Geophysical Prospecting, 49(1), 40–58.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grauch, V. J. S., and Cordell, L., 1987, Limitations on determining density or magnetic boundaries from the horizontal gradient of gravity or pseudo gravity data: Geophysics, 52(1), 118–121.

    Google Scholar 

  • Henderson, R., 1960, A comprehensive system of automatic computation in magnetic and gravity interpretation: Geophysics, 25(3), 569–585.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meng, X. H., Guo, L. H., Chen, Z. X., Li, S. L., and Shi, L., 2009, A method for gravity anomaly separation based on preferential continuation and its application: Applied Geophysics, 6(3), 217–225.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mickus, K. L. and Hinojosa, J. H., 2001, The complete gravity gradient tensor derived from the vertical component of gravity: a Fourier transform technique: Journal of Applied Geophysics, 46(3), 159–174.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mikhailov, V., Pajot, G., and Diament, M., 2007, Tensor deconvolution: A method to locate equivalent sources from full tensor gravity data: Geophysics, 72(5), I61–I69.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, H. G., and Singh, V., 1994, Potential field tilt - a new concept for location of potential field sources: Journal of Applied Geophysics, 32(2), 213–217.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nabighian, M. N., 1972, The analytic signal of two-dimensional magnetic bodies with polygonal crosssection - Its properties and use for automated anomaly interpretation: Geophysics, 37(3), 507–517.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1974, Additional comments on the analytic signal of two dimensional magnetic bodies with polygonal cross-section: Geophysics, 39(1), 85–92.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1984, Toward a three-dimensional automatic interpretation of potential field data via generalized Hilbert transforms-Fundamental relations: Geophysics, 49(2), 780–786.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pawlowski, R. S., and Hansen, R. O., 1990, Gravity anomaly separation by Wiener filtering: Geophysics, 55(5), 539–548.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peters, L. J., 1949, The direct approach to magnetic interpretation and its practical application: Geophysics, 14(3), 290–320.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reid, A. B., Allsop, J. M., Granser, H., Millett, A. J., and Somerton, I. W., 1990, Magnetic interpretation in three dimensions using Euler deconvolution: Geophysics, 55(1), 80–91.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roest, W. R., Verhoef, J., and Pilkington, M., 1992, Magnetic interpretation using the 3-D analytic signal: Geophysics, 57(1), 116–125.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharpton, V. L., Grieve, R. A. F., Thomas, M. D., and Halpenny, J. F., 1987, Horizontal gravity gradient — An aid to the definition of crustal structure in North America: Geophysical Research Letters, 14(8), 808–811.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Syberg, F. J. R., 1972, A Fourier method for the regional residual problem of potential fields: Geophysical Prospecting, 20(1), 47–75.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, D. T., 1982, EULDPH: a new technique for making computer-assisted depth estimates from magnetic data: Geophysics, 47(1), 31–37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Verduzco, B., Farihead, J. D., and Green, C. M., 2004, New insights into magnetic derivatives for structural mapping: The Leading Edge, 23(1), 116–119.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, W. Y., Pan, Y., and Qiu, Z. Y., 2009, A new edge recognition technology based on the normalized vertical derivative of the total horizontal derivative for potential field data: Applied Geophysics, 6(3), 226–233.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, W. Y., Zhang, G. C., and Liang, J. S., 2010, Spatial variation law of vertical derivative zero points for potential field data: Applied Geophysics, 7(3), 197–209.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wijns, C., Perez, C., and Kowalczyk, P., 2005, Theta map: edge detection in magnetic data: Geophysics, 70(4), 39–43.

    Google Scholar 

  • Xiao, F., Wu, Y. G., and Meng, L. S., 2010, An improvement on small sub-domain filtering in potential field data processing: Oil Geophysical Prospecting (in Chinese), 45(1), 136–139.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang, G. Y., 1995, A new technique for potential field data processing: small sub-domain filtering: Oil Geophysical Prospecting (in Chinese), 30(1) 240–244.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, C. Y., Mushayandebvu, M. F., and Reid, A. B., 2000, Euler deconvolution of gravity tensor gradient data: Geophysics, 65(2), 512–520.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China

    Fu-Yu Jiang

  2. The First Geological Brigade of Jiangsu Geology and Mineral Exploration Bureau, Nanjing, 210041, China

    Li-Kun Gao

Authors
  1. Fu-Yu Jiang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Li-Kun Gao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

This work is supported by the Scientific Research Starting Foundation of HoHai University, China (No. 2084/40801136) and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (No.2009B12514).

Jiang Fu-Yu, Lecturer, graduated from Jilin University in 2003 with a bachelor degree in Geophysics. He received a Doctoral Degree in Solid Geophysics from the College of Geoexploration Science and Technology of Jilin University in 2008. He is currently teaching in Hohai University in Nanjing. His research interests include the processing, inversion, and interpretation of gravity and magnetic potential fields.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Jiang, FY., Gao, LK. Edge enhancement of gravity anomalies and gravity gradient tensors using an improved small sub-domain filtering method. Appl. Geophys. 9, 119–130 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11770-012-0321-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11770-012-0321-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation