Gravity and magnetic surveys and interpretation in the northern part of the K-G basin

Abstract

The gravity and magnetic data along three profiles across the northern part of the K-G basin have been collected and the data is interpreted for basement depths. The first profile is taken from Gadarada to Yanam covering a distance of 60 km and the second starts from Zangareddiguddem to Samathkur covering a distance of 110 km and the third is from Kotturu to Biyyapuppa covering a distance of 100 km. The gravity lows and highs have clearly indicated various sub-basins and ridges. The density logs from ONGC, Chennai, show that the density contrast decreases with depth in the sedimentary basin, and hence, the gravity profiles are interpreted using variable density contrast with depth. From the Bouguer gravity anomaly, the residual anomaly is constructed by graphical method correlating with well data, sub-surface geology and seismic information. The residual anomaly profiles are interpreted using polygon model. The maximum depths to the khondalitic basement are obtained as 5.61km, 6.46 km and 7.45 km for the first, second and third profiles respectively. The regional anomaly is interpreted as Moho rise towards coast. The aeromagnetic anomaly profiles are also interpreted for charnockite basement below the khondalitic group of rocks using prismatic models.