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Modelling Moho depth in ocean areas based on satellite altimetry using Vening Meinesz–Moritz’ method

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Abstract

An experiment for estimating Moho depth is carried out based on satellite altimetry and topographic information using the Vening Meinesz–Moritz gravimetric isostatic hypothesis. In order to investigate the possibility and quality of satellite altimetry in Moho determination, the DNSC08GRA global marine gravity field model and the DTM2006 global topography model are used to obtain a global Moho depth model over the oceans with a resolution of 1° × 1°. The numerical results show that the estimated Bouguer gravity disturbance varies from 86 to 767 mGal, with a global average of 747 mGal, and the estimated Moho depth varies from 3 to 39 km with a global average of 19 km. Comparing the Bouguer gravity disturbance estimated from satellite altimetry and that derived by the gravimetric satellite-only model GOGRA04S shows that the two models agree to 13 mGal in root mean square (RMS). Similarly, the estimated Moho depths from satellite altimetry and GOGRA04S agree to 0.69 km in RMS. It is also concluded that possible mean dynamic topography in the marine gravity model does not significantly affect the Moho determination.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by projects Nos. 76/10:1 and 116/12 of the Swedish National Space Board (SNSB). Dr. Ole Baltazar Andersen from The National Space Institute of Denmark (DTU SPACE) is acknowledged for his help and discussion about the global marine gravity field model.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Geodesy and Satellite Positioning, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), 100 44, Stockholm, Sweden

    M. Abrehdary, L. E. Sjöberg & M. Bagherbandi

  2. Department of Industrial Development, IT and Land Management, University of Gävle, 801 76, Gävle, Sweden

    M. Bagherbandi

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  1. M. Abrehdary
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  2. L. E. Sjöberg
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  3. M. Bagherbandi
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Correspondence to M. Abrehdary.

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Abrehdary, M., Sjöberg, L.E. & Bagherbandi, M. Modelling Moho depth in ocean areas based on satellite altimetry using Vening Meinesz–Moritz’ method. Acta Geod Geophys 51, 137–149 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40328-015-0116-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40328-015-0116-6

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