Isostasy and density & gravity

The rate of isostatic rebound depends on

the elastic properties of the lithosphere
(including its thickness) as well as the
mantle viscosity.

Isostatic rebound can be observed if a

large enough load has been added or
removed fast enough.
 Density
Density is defined as mass per unit volume. It is a measure of how tightly
packed and how heavy the molecules are in an object. Density is the amount
of matter within a certain volume.
 To determine the density
1- Find the mass of the
object
2- Find the volume of
the object
3- Divide
Density = Mass
Volume

M=DxV

V=M/D

D=M/V Units for density g/cm3 or g/ml

Mineral Densities
 Factors Influencing the Density of Rocks
1- Elemental composition and by the internal bonding within the
structure.

2-The porosity
Porosity, , is defined as the ratio of the volume of pore space,
Vp, to the bulk volume, V, of the rock: = Vp / V = 1 - Vm /V,
where Vm is the volume of solid matrix substance .

3-The fluid in the pore space.

Porous sediments are readily compressible, which results in a
dependence of density on pressure (i.e. depth of burial).
Igneous rocks are typically denser than sedimentary rocks
because their minerals are more mafic, and their porosity is
generally lower. The porosity of igneous rocks is generally so
small it can be ignored.
 Airy hypothesis (application of
Archimedes principal)
Two densities, that of the rigid h1
upper layer, u, and that of the d
substratum, s. u
r3
Mountains therefore have deep
roots. A mountain height h1 is
underlain by a root of thickness: r1

h1 u s

r1 .
s u
Ocean basin depth, h2, is underlain by an anti-root of
thickness: d( )
r3 u w
.
s u
 Density and gravity

The most important geologic parameter is the density contrast:

Density contrast = Density of the target Ambient density

Density contrast =0.6 Density contrast =0.3 Density contrast =0.1

 Gravity and isostasy

In order to interpret observed gravity measurements, a series

of corrections are often applied.
3. Terrain correction: accounts for the proximity of mass
anomalies to the absovation points, for example near mountain
tops. Typically applied by a Fourier method.
4. Isostatic correction: effect of masses that support loads
5. Tidal correction: effect of time-dependent shapes in Earths
shape
6. Etvs correction: effects of the motion of the observation
point (such as a moving ship)
7. Other corrections: effects of other assumed crust or mantle
density anomalies (geology or geodynamic)
Free Air (=Elevation) Corrections
Most free-air gravity anomalies are in the
range of a few hundred milligal, while most
shipboard corrections are close to one
milligal.
If the gravimeter is below sea level, the
correction must be subtracted.

Mountain
gm

Geoid Ocean

go

go = gmeasured (1 + 0.00031 h)
g in gal, height in meters
Bouguer (=Mass) Corrections

Mountain
gh

Geoid Ocean

go

The Bouguer correction accounts for the additional gravitational

attraction between the material that lies between the gravimeter
and the geoid.
 To apply a Bouguer
Bouguer (=Mass) Corrections correction to gravity
measurements, the
composition and density of
the slab must be known, or
inferred.

Terrestrial data that are

corrected for both elevation
and mass (i.e., free air and
Bouguer corrections)

Mountain
gm should approach the same
value of g (gravitational
attraction) as that of the
geoid, provided the local
relief is not great.
Geoid Ocean

go

go = gmeasured (1 - 0.00004 hdensity)

g in gal, height in meters, density in g cm-3
Bouguer (=Mass) Corrections at Sea
The Bouguer correction at sea substitutes for
seawater a layer with the same density as the
seafloor.
This removes the effects of variations in
bottom topography from the gravity data, and
makes the data useful for studies of the
subsurface.

Mountain
gh This correction is often made in nearshore
gravity surveys that extend onto land.

Geoid z Ocean

go

gcorr = gmeas [1 + 2Gz(dseafloor-dseawater)]

g in mgal, height in meters, density in g cm3
 Compensated?

A strong positive free-air anomaly with a weak Bouguer anomaly indicates a

structure is supported by the strength of the lithosphere i.e. no compensation.
A weak free-air anomaly with a strong negative Bouguer anomaly indicates
that the structure is compensated.