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Machine learning applications in geophysical studies are often used to predict geophysical observations in areas with sparse or not data or recognize patterns and similarities in data. In our study, we test different techniques to improve the information of constraining data by machine learning and to improve strengthen the modelling of lithospheric structures with potential field data. Constraining data like seismic information, surface geology, rock classifications etc. is often used during the interpretation step of lithospheric modelling to aid the qualitative interpretation. Consensus between additional data and the own model is assessed by comparison and used to describe the model goodness consistency. First Wwe test, how this additional data can be used before the modelling by using machine learning techniques to quantify the data. We focus on supervised learning to predict crustal structure in areas with little constraints, on trained learning in data-rich areas. Second, we test the spatial analysis of surface data to determine lithospheric boundaries in depth. These tests are performed in North America and the Central Asian Orogenic belt (CAOB) to compare the results in areas with respectively good and spare data coverage. That approach can be used to link the large variety of surface and deep information in the CAOB region.The combination of the different geophysical data available with the geological data should improve our tectonic modelling.

The AlpArray Gravity Research Group (AAGRG), as part of the European AlpArray program, focuses on the compilation of a homogeneous surface-based gravity dataset across the Alpine area. From this data set, Bouguer- and Free Air anomalies are calculated and presented here. In 2016/17 ten European countries in the Alpine realm have agreed to contribute with gravity data for a new compilation of the Alpine gravity field in an area from 2° to 23° East and from 41° to 51° North. This compilation relies on existing national gravity databases and, for the Ligurian and the Adriatic seas, on ship-borne data of the Bureau Gravimétrique International. Furthermore, for the Ivrea zone in the Western Alps, recently acquired data were added to the database. This first pan-Alpine gravity data map is homogeneous regarding input data sets, applied methods and all corrections as well as reference frames. Here, the AAGRG presents the data set of the recalculated gravity fields on a 4 km × 4 km grid for public release, 2 km × 2 km for special request. The final products also include calculated values for mass/bathymetry corrections of the measured gravity at each grid point, as well as height. This allows users to use later customized densities for their own calculations of mass corrections. Correction densities used are 2670 kg m−3 for landmasses, 1030 kg m−3 for water masses above and −1640 kg m−3 below the ellipsoid. The correction radius was set to the Hayford zone O2 (167 km). The new Bouguer anomaly is station completed (CBA) and compiled according to the most modern criteria and reference frames (both positioning and gravity), including atmospheric corrections. Special emphasis was put on the gravity effect of the numerous lakes in the study area, which can have an effect of up to 5 mGal for gravity stations located at shorelines with steep slopes, e.g., for the rather deep reservoirs in the Alps. The results of an error statistic based on cross validations and/or interpolations residuals is provided for the entire database. As an example, the interpolation residuals of the Austrian data set range between about −8 and +8 mGal, the cross-validation residuals between −14 mGal and +10 mGal; standard deviations are well below 1 mGal. The accuracy of the newly compiled gravity database is close to ±5 mGal for most areas. A first interpretation of the new map shows that the resolution of the gravity anomalies is suited for applications ranging from intra-crustal to crustal scale modelling to interdisciplinary studies on the regional and continental scales as well as applications as joint inversion with other datasets. The data will be published with the DOI https://doi.org/10.5880/fidgeo.2020.045 (Zahorec et al., 2020) when the final paper is accepted. In the meantime, the data is accessible via this temporary review link: https://dataservices.gfz-potsdam.de/panmetaworks/review/fdc35a9f6551b01b6152ee1af7b91a5a0c3de5341d067644522c192ad7f25e7f.

A new crustal model of the Volga-Uralian subcraton was built. The compilation of the model was subdivided in two steps: (1) inverse gravity modeling followed by (2) thorough forward gravity modeling. For inverse gravity modeling GOCE gravity gradients were used. The effect of the Earth sphericity was taken into account by using tesseroids. Density contrasts between crust and mantle were varied laterally according to the tectonic units present in the region. The model is constrained by the available seismic data including receiver function studies, and deep reflection and refraction profiles. The Moho discontinuity obtained during the gravity inversion was consequently modified, and complemented by the sedimentary cover, upper crust, lower crust, and lithospheric mantle layers in the process of forward gravity modeling. Obtained model showed crustal thickness variation from 34 to more than 55 km in some areas. The thinnest crust with the thickness below 40 km appeared on the Pericaspian basin with the thickest sedimentary column. A relatively thin crust was found along the central Russia rift system, while the thickest crust is located underneath Ural Mountains as well as in the center of the Volga-Uralian subcraton. In both areas the crustal thickness exceeds 50 km. At the same time, the gravity misfit of ca. 95 mGal between the measured Bouguer gravity anomaly and forward calculated gravity field was revealed in the central area of the Volga-Uralian subcraton. This misfit was interpreted and modeled as high-density lower crust which can possibly represent an underplated material. In the end, the new crustal model of Volga-Uralian subcraton respects the gravity and seismic constraints, and reflects the main geological features of the region. This model will be used for further geothermal analysis of the area., poster

The ongoing formation of the alpine mountain belt is a major indicator of the active geological processes in the Mediterranean that for example causes volcanism in Italy as well as considerable hazard. To understand this complex system the European project AlpArray, with the German contribution 4D-MB, was funded in order to investigate the structure, dynamics and geology of the alpine area in more detail and through all scales. We focus on the large scale geodynamic processes that drive this complex system of multiple subduction zones, ranging from the surface to the mantle.Here, preliminary geodynamic modeling results will be presented, which are based on recent seismic imaging of the AlpArray target area. The model has been extended to a larger depth and the geometries of the slabs have been adopted. Several instantaneous forward simulations will be presented that aim to reproduce the major present day GPS velocity patterns. Additionally, the fit to the data is refined using a steepest descent adjoint gradient based inverse technique. These gradients can also be used to highlight the pointwise sensitivity of the surface velocity to the material parameters at depth. In order to be able to compare the modeling results to additional observations a framework is presented on how seismic anisotropy can be calculated with the geodynamic modeling code LaMEM (Kaus et al., 2016). This abstract is in co-operation with the whole AlpArray working group.

We present an integrated geophysical-petrological model of the Eifel region. The Eifel is a volcanic active region in West Germany that exhibits Tertiary as well as Quaternary volcanism. One suggestion for the source of this volcanism is a small-scale upper mantle plume.The 3D model includes the crust and upper mantle and was generated by combined modelling of topography and the gravity field with constraints from seismology and geochemistry. In the best-fit model, the subcontinental lithospheric mantle is associated with a Phanerozoic-type composition, resulting in a depth of 80 km for the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary (LAB) beneath the Eifel and in comparison 110 - 130 km beneath the Paris basin. A Proterozoic-type composition in contrast results in a LAB depth of 120 km in the Eifel. While the model fits the geophysical observables and features a thin lithosphere, it does not lead to a plume-like structure and does not feature a seismic low-velocity anomaly.The measured low-velocity anomaly can be reproduced by introducing (1) an even thinner lithosphere or (2) a plume-like body above the thermal LAB with a composition based on data from Eifel xenoliths, which have a mainly basanitic composition. This additional structure results in a thermal anomaly and has an effect on the isostatic elevation of c. 360 m, but it does not result in a significant signal in the gravity anomalies. Further modelling showed how crustal intrusions could additionally mask the gravitational effect from such a small-scale upper mantle plume.The model does not conclusively explain the source of the Eifel volcanism, but the models and the calculation of synthetic dispersion curves help to assess the possibility to resolve a small-scale upper mantle plume with joint inversion in future analysis.

Inverting satellite and airborne magnetic data with a common model is challenging due to the spectral gap between the data sets, but needed to provide meaningful models of lithospheric magnetisation.Here, we present a step-wise approach, where first spherical prisms (tesseroids) are used for global magnetic inversion of satellite-acquired lithospheric field models and second airborne data re inverted in their suitable spectral range for added details. For the synthetic test, the susceptibility model of Hemant (2003) was used as a starting point to calculate the spherical harmonic model of each tesseroid in the model. The resulting spherical harmonic coefficients were inverted for magnetic susceptibility in the global model, where the geometry is based on seismic or gravity observations. The projected gradient method is used to avoid negative susceptibilities in the result. After the global inversion, high-resolution local tile-wise inversion together with synthetic airborne data within a different wavelength range is performed for even higher resolution results.The approach is applied to the Swarm-derived LCS-1 field model and for selected areas with high-resolution aeromagnetic coverage.

East Antarctica is the least understood continent on Earth due to its vast size, major ice sheet cover and remoteness. Coastal outcrops and glacial erratics have yielded cryptic but nevertheless fascinating clues into up to 3 billion years of East Antarctica’s geological and tectonic evolution. These geological constraints represent in turn the pillars to address global geodynamic linkages between East Antarctica, Australia, India, South Africa and Laurentia in the growth, assembly and dispersal of Gondwana, Rodinia and Nuna during the complex evolution of Earth's supercontinent cycles. However, due to the lack of drilling, our ability to project, test and augment such supercontinental linkages and several speculative geological interpretations in the interior of the continent beneath the East Antarctic Ice Sheet remains very limited.While airborne and satellite gravity data and seismology are providing key new constraints on crustal and lithosphere thickness and help unveil large-scale heterogeneity in the East Antarctic lithosphere, detailed imaging of the architecture of individual crustal domains and their tectonic boundaries relies critically on magnetic anomaly data interpretation.Here we exploit ongoing analyses of a recent continental-scale magnetic anomaly compilation (ADMAP 2.0) (Golynsky et al., 2018, GRL) augmented by major new datasets we recently collected, processed and compiled over the Recovery and South Pole frontiers and enhanced satellite magnetic imaging to:1) reveal a more complex mosaic of distinct but in several places still cryptic Precambrian crustal provinces that represent the building blocks of interior East Antarctica;2) provide new geophysical constraints that can be used to test different hypotheses of East-West Gondwana amalgamation along several candidate suture zones, including in particular the Shackleton suture zone, which provides a unique window on several distinct Precambrian terranes at the inferred leading edge of the composite Mawson Continent, as well as unique occurrences of Pan-African age rocks of ophiolitic affinity and3) re-assess potential paths and the significance of the Kuunga suture zone between Greater India and East Antarctica and re-evaluate the tectonic origin of a major magnetic and gravity lineament previously thought to delineate the Indo-Australo-Antarctic suture and finally4) propose new surveys in other frontier regions including in particular the under-explored interior of Princess Elizabeth Land and Recovery Subglacial Highlands that are critical in order to test the possible connectivity of the Kuunga, Gamburstev and potentially also Shackleton suture zones. Finally, we showcase examples of how we are combining aeromagnetic and gravity interpretations for East Antarctica with global magnetic and gravity datasets, geochronology, geochemistry, geology, tectonics and paleomagnetic data in an evolving plate kinematic framework (in GPlates) to re-assess supercontinent reconstructions with particular emphasis so far on Nuna and Gondwana.

We analyse aeromagnetic and satellite data for Australia, Antarctica and Southern Africa. For all these areas, high-resolution aeromagnetic surveys have been released in recent years, which are of major interest as these areas form formerly adjacent parts of Central Gondwana. The compilations are based on surveys with varying line spacing and flight altitude, merged into a single grid. However, processing and merging can adversely affect the long-wavelength parts of these compilations. Satellite models of the lithospheric magnetic field typically provide more accurate long wavelength data down to ca 300 km wavelengths. Comparison of the corresponding spectral part of the aeromagnetic compilations shows similarities, but also some discrepancies. An example is the South African compilation, where a jump in the amplitude of the magnetic signal corresponds to the edges of regional compilations. When reconstructed into a pre-break-up Gondwana configuration, the same jump is observed between Antarctica and Southern Africa. However, such a jump is not present in satellite data and can be adjusted by combination of the datasets. A pitfall is that some of the signal in the long-wavelength range of the aeromagnetic data still corresponds to shallow level geological features, while satellite data may reflect the deeper tectonothermal setting. The implications of the airborne-satellite data integration are discussed and examples for modelling lithospheric magnetisation provided.

Numerous unresolved issues exist regarding the lithosphere of Antarctica, especially in terms of its fundamental density, temperature, and compositional structure. Estimates of total lithospheric thickness typically involve assumptions on the depth of the Moho discontinuity, which remains ill-constrained in several parts of Antarctica. Recent estimates of the Moho depth from different geophysical methods show significant discrepancies of 10-20 km in large sectors of the continent. While seismological methods suffer from a limited station coverage and ice reverberation, potential field methods, such as gravity studies, are inherently non-unique. By modelling multiple geophysical parameters in a consistent way and accounting for thermodynamically stable mineral phases of rocks as a function of pressure and temperature conditions, we were able to mitigate the detrimental effects of data sparseness while also reducing geophysical inconsistencies and ambiguities. Gravity gradient data from ESA’s satellite mission ‘GOCE’ are used here to constrain the density distribution within the lithosphere in an integrated 3D model of the Antarctic continent. Independent seismic estimates serve as a benchmark for the robustness of our results. Our model derives new estimates of the crustal and the total lithospheric thickness of Antarctica.Based on our new 3D lithospheric model, we investigate the feasibility of a mantle plume beneath parts of West Antarctica, which has been inferred from previous geochemistry, seismology, and glacial isostatic adjustment studies. The impact of thermal anomalies, simulating ponded plume material, on different geophysical parameters, such as geothermal heat flux, seismic velocities, mineral phase transition changes, gravity, and topographic elevation are modelled for both Marie Byrd Land and Ross Island, two key candidate sites for putative plumes. Combined interpretation of the results is performed together with current understanding of geodynamic processes, such as locations of the LLVPs at the core-mantle boundary, representing potential ‘cradles’ for plumes.Our results suggest that a deep-rooted mantle plume is unlikely beneath West Antarctica. However, the observed low seismic velocity zones could still correspond to proposed hot upper mantle zones characterised by lower viscosity. Alternative/additional explanations, such compositional effects and water content as causes for the seismic anomalies must also be further evaluated to better assess their effects on mantle viscosities. This is particularly important beneath regions of recent ice mass loss and recently observed remarkably high rates of GIA-induced bedrock uplift, such as the Amundsen Sea Embayment.

Improving the understanding of geothermal heat flux in Antarctica is crucial for ice-sheet modelling and glacial isostatic adjustment. It affects the ice rheology and can lead to basal melting, thereby promoting ice flow. Direct measurements are sparse and models inferred from e.g. magnetic or seismological data differ immensely. By Bayesian inversion, we evaluated the uncertainties of some of these models and studied the interdependencies of the thermal parameters. In contrast to previous studies, our method allows the parameters to vary laterally, which leads to a heterogeneous West- and a slightly more homogeneous East Antarctica with overall lower surface heat flux. The Curie isotherm depth and radiogenic heat production have the strongest impact on our results but both parameters have a high uncertainty.To overcome such shortcomings, we adopt a machine learning approach, more specifically a Gradient Boosted Regression Tree model, in order to find an optimal predictor for locations with sparse measurements. However, this approach largely relies on global data sets, which are notoriously unreliable in Antarctica. Therefore, validity and quality of the data sets is reviewed and discussed. Using regional and more detailed data sets of Antarctica’s Gondwana neighbors might improve the predictions due to their similar tectonic history. The performance of the machine learning algorithm can then be examined by comparing the predictions to the existing measurements. From our study, we expect to get new insights in the geothermal structure of Antarctica, which will help with future studies on the coupling of Solid Earth and Cryosphere.

The nature and origin of the two Large Low Velocity Provinces in the lowest part of the mantle remain controversial. They have been interpreted as a purely thermal feature, accumulation of subducted oceanic lithosphere or a primordial zone of iron enrichment. Information regarding the density of the LLVPs would help to constrain a possible explanation. In this work, we perform a density inversion for the entire mantle, by constraining the geometry of potential density anomalies using tomographic vote maps. Vote maps describe the geometry of potential density anomalies according to their agreement of multiple seismic tomographies, hence not depending on a single representation. Therefore, the geometries used for inversion are features observed in most tomographies. We use linear inversion and determine the regularization parameters using cross-validation. Two different input fields are used to study the sensitivity of the mantle density results to the treatment of the lithosphere. We find the best data fit is achieved if we assume that the lithosphere is in isostatic balance. The estimated densities obtained for the LLVPs are systematically positive density anomalies for the LLVPs in the lower 800–1000 km of the mantle, which would indicate a chemical component for the origin of the LLVPs. Both iron-enrichment and a MORB contribution are in accordance with our data, but the required super-adiabatic temperature anomalies for MORB would be close to 1000 K.

This study presents a recent combined regional gravity field model over Egypt, developed by integrating satellite and terrestrial data via applying the remove-compute-restore (RCR) principle and the least-squares collocation (LSC) procedure. A high-resolution digital terrain model was exploited for the computation of the terrain and residual terrain corrections. Hereby, all the signals that can be modelled or deterministically computed are considered known and then removed in order to reduce the order of magnitude of the input gravity data prior to applying the LSC. Several GOCE-only and combined global geopotential models (GGMs) have been thoroughly investigated with respect to the EGM2008, in which the space-wise (SPW) solution, namely the SPW-R5 model, demonstrated the best performance. For the development of the combined model, the SPW-R5 GGM has been integrated with both the EGM2008 GGM and the terrestrial data retrieved from 56,250 gravity stations of the Getech data, acquired in the framework of the African Gravity Project. The combined regional gravity model was compared to the state-of-art XGM2016 global gravity model. The standard deviation of the differences is 18.0 mGal in terms of Bouguer anomalies. The combined regional model fits well with the terrestrial gravity data along the chosen North–South oriented profile through the Nile Delta region. The improvements of the developed combined regional model over the XGM2016 are due to the use of a more extensive terrestrial dataset. In conclusion, our model is more suitable than solely using the ground data or GGMs for regional density modelling over Egypt. As an example, the comparison of using a global or regionally defined gravity model with the forward gravity modelling based on Saleh (Acta Geodaetica et Geophysica Hungarica 47(4):402–429, 2012) density model is performed.

We present a study on the depth to basement and magnetic crustal domains beneath the Iranian Plateau by modeling aeromagnetic and gravity data. First, field processing of the aeromagnetic data was undertaken to estimate the general characteristics of the magnetic basement. Afterwards, inverse modeling of aeromagnetic data was carried out to estimate the depth to basement. The obtained model of basement was refined using combined gravity and magnetic forward modeling. Hereby, we were able to distinguish different magnetic domains in the uppermost crust (10–20 km depths) influencing the medium to long wavelength trends of the magnetic anomalies. Magnetic basement mapping shows that prominent shallow magnetic features are furthermore located in the volcanic areas, e.g. the Urumieh Dokhtar Magmatic Assemblage. The presence of ophiolite outcrops in SE Iran implies that shallow oceanic crust (with high magnetization) is the main source of one of the biggest magnetic anomalies in entire Iran area located north of the Makran.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

The Earth masses reside in a near-hydrostatic equilibrium, while the deviations are, for example, manifested in the geoid, which is nowadays well determined by satellite gravimetry. Recent progress in estimating the density distribution of the Earth allows us to examine individual Earth layers and to directly see how the sum approaches the observed anomalous gravitational field. This study evaluates contributions from the crust and the upper mantle taken from the LITHO1.0 model and quantifies the gravitational spectra of the density structure to the depth of 435 km. This is done without isostatic adjustments to see what can be revealed with models like LITHO1.0 alone. At the resolution of 290 km (spherical harmonic degree 70), the crustal contribution starts to dominate over the upper mantle and at about 150 km (degree 130) the upper mantle contribution is nearly negligible. At the spatial resolution $$

The main purpose of this study is to construct a new 3-D model of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) crust, which can be used as a starting point for future lithospheric studies. The CAOB is a Paleozoic accretionary orogen surrounded by the Siberian Craton to the north and the North China and Tarim Cratons to the south. This area is of great interest due to its enigmatic and still not completely understood geodynamic evolution. First, we estimate an initial crustal thickness by inversion of the vertical gravity component of the Gravity Field and Steady-State Ocean Circulation Explorer (GOCE) and DTU10 models. Second, 3-D forward modeling of the GOCE gravity gradients is performed, which determines the topography of the Moho, the geometry, and the density distribution of the deeper parts of the CAOB and its surroundings, taking into account the lateral and vertical density variations of the crust. The model is constrained by seismic refraction, reflection, and receiver function studies and geological studies. In addition, we discuss the isostatic implications of the differences between the seismic Moho and the resulting 3-D gravity Moho, complemented by the analysis of the lithostatic load distribution at the upper mantle level. Finally, the correlation between the contrasting tectonic domains and the thickness of the crust reveals the inheritance of Paleozoic and Mesozoic geodynamics, particularly the magmatic provinces and the orocline which preserve their crustal features.

The pseudo-spectral form of the sea level equation (SLE) requires the approximation of a radially-symmetric visco-elastic Earth. Thus, the resulting predictions of sea level change (SLC) and glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA) often ignore lateral variations in the Earth structure. Here, we assess the capabilities of a Multiple 1D Earth Approach (M1DEA) applied to large-scale ice load components with different Earth structures to account for these variations. In this approach the total SLC and GIA responses result from the superposition of individual responses from each load component, each computed globally assuming locally-appropriate 1D Earth structures. We apply the M1DEA to three separate regions (East Antarctica, West Antarctica, and outside Antarctica) to analyze uplift rates for a range of Earth structures and different ice loads at various distances. We find that the uplift response is mostly sensitive to the local Earth structure, which supports the usefulness of the M1DEA. However, stresses transmitted across rheological boundaries (e.g., producing peripheral bulges) present challenges for the M1DEA, but can be minimized under two conditions: (1) If the considered time period of ice loading for each component is consistent with the relaxation time of the local Earth structure. (2) If the load components can be subdivided according to the scale of the lateral variations in Earth structure. Overall, our results indicate that M1DEA could be a computationally much cheaper alternative to 3D finite element models, but further work is needed to quantify the relative accuracy of both methods for different resolutions, loads, and Earth structure variations.

The Geological Survey of Norway (NGU) has produced new aeromagnetic and gravity maps from Norway and adjacent areas, compiled from ground, airborne and satellite data. Petrophysical measurements on core samples, hand specimens and on in situ bedrock exposures are essential for the interpretation of these maps. Onshore, the most prominent gravity and magnetic anomalies are attributed to lower crustal rocks that have been brought closer to the surface. The asymmetry of the gravity anomalies along the Lapland Granulite Belt and Kongsberg–Bamble Complex, combined with the steep gradient, points to the overthrusted high-density granulites as being the main source of the observed anomalies. The Kongsberg–Bamble anomaly can be traced southwards through the Kattegat to southern Sweden. This concept of gravity field modelling can also be applied to the Mid-Norwegian continental shelf and could partially explain the observed high-density rocks occurring below the More and Voring basins and in the Lofoten area. Extrapolations of Late-Caledonian detachment structures occurring on the mainland can be traced on aeromagnetic and gravimetric images towards the NW across the continental margin. Subcropping Late Palaeozoic to Cenozoic sedimentary units along the mid-Norwegian coast produce a conspicuous magnetic anomaly pattern. The asymmetry of the low-amplitude anomalies, with a steep gradient and a negative anomaly to the east and a gentler gradient to the west, relates the anomalies to gently westward dipping strata. Recent aeromagnetic surveys in the Barents Sea have revealed negative magnetic anomalies associated with shallow salt diapirs. Buried Quaternary channels partly filled with gravel and boulders of crystalline rocks generate magnetic anomalies in the North Sea. The new maps also show that the opening of the Norwegian–Greenland Sea occurred along stable continental margins without offsets across minor fracture zones, or involving jumps in the spreading axis. A triple junction formed at 48 Ma between the Lofoten and Norway Basins.

We modeled crustal and lithospheric thickness variation as well as the variations in temperature, composition, S wave seismic velocity, and density of the lithosphere beneath the Saharan Metacraton (SMC) applying an interdisciplinary 3-D modeling. Regardless of the limited data set, we aimed at consistent imaging of the SMC lithospheric structure by combining independent data sets to better understand the evolution of the metacraton. We considered that the SMC was once an intact Archean-Paleoproterozoic craton but was metacratonized during the Neoproterozoic due to partial loss of its subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) during collisional processes along its margin. This has permitted the preservation of three cratonic remnants (Murzuq, Al-Kufrah, and Chad) within the metacraton. These cratonic remnants are overlain by Paleozoic-Mesozoic sedimentary basins (Murzuq, Al-Kufrah, and Chad), which are separated by topographic swells associated with the Hoggar Swell, Tibesti Massif, and Darfur Dome Cenozoic volcanism. The three cratonic remnants are underlain by a relatively thicker lithosphere compared to the surrounding SMC, with the thickest located beneath Al-Kufrah reaching 200 km. Also, the SCLM beneath Al-Kufrah cratonic remnant is significantly colder and denser. Modeling of the lithosphere beneath the Chad and Murzuq Basins yielded a complex density and temperature distribution pattern, with lower values than beneath the Tibesti Massif. Further, our modeling indicated a uniform and moderately depleted mantle composition beneath the SMC. The presence of a relatively thinner lithosphere beneath the noncratonic regions of the SMC is attributed with several tectonic events, including partial SCLM delamination during the Neoproterozoic, Mesozoic-Cenozoic rifting, and Cenozoic volcanism.

In this study we combine seismological and petrological models with satellite gravity gradient data to obtain the thermal and compositional structure of the Antarctic lithosphere. Our results indicate that Antarctica is largely in isostatic equilibrium, although notable anomalies exist. A new Antarctic Moho depth map is derived that fits the satellite gravity gradient anomaly field and is in good agreement with independent seismic estimates. It exhibits detailed crustal thickness variations also in areas of East Antarctica that are poorly explored due to sparse seismic station coverage. The thickness of the lithosphere in our model is in general agreement with seismological estimates, confirming the marked contrast between West Antarctica (

The lithospheric structure of Antarctica is still under‐explored. Moho depth estimate studies are in disagreement by more than 10 km in several regions, including for example the hinterland of the Transantarctic Mountains. Taking account the sparseness of seismological stations and the non‐uniqueness of potential field methods, inversions of Moho depth are performed here based on satellite gravity data in combination with currently available seismically constrained Moho depth estimates. Our results confirm that a lower density contrast at the Moho is present under East Antarctica than beneath West Antarctica. A comparison between the Moho depth derived from our inversion and an Airy‐isostatic Moho model also reveals a spatially variable buoyancy contribution from the lithospheric mantle beneath contrasting sectors of East Antarctica. Finally, to test the plausibility of different Moho depths scenarios for the Transantarctic Mountains–Wilkes Subglacial Basin system, we present 2‐D lithospheric models along the TAMSEIS/GAMSEIS seismic profile. Our models show that if a moderately depleted lithospheric mantle of inferred Proterozoic age underlies the region, then a shallower Moho is more likely beneath the Wilkes Subglacial Basin. If however, re‐fertilisation processes occurred in the upper mantle, for example in response to Ross‐age subduction, then a deeper Moho scenario is preferred. We conclude that 3D lithospheric modeling, coupled with the availability of new seismic information in the hinterland of the Transantarctic Mountains is required to help resolve this controversy, thereby also reducing the ambiguities in geothermal heat flux estimation beneath this key part of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet.

Gravity gradients of the GOCE (Gravity field and steady state Ocean Circulation Explorer) mission are available and provide free available data with global homogeneous coverage. The spatial resolution is about 80 km which makes it possible to construct regional models of large or remote areas. We study the benefit of using this data for compiling a 3D regional density model of the lithosphere with emphasis on the crustal structure for the Arabian Peninsula. We keep the data at satellite level to avoid noise amplification. The initial density model was set up with only a few seismic constraints and modified by forward modeling. Forward models benefits from the use of the full gravity gradient tensor and the invariants. The misfits between the measured and calculated field are more easily recognized in the gravity gradient tensor than in the gravity field alone. Different shape and location of anomalies are visible in the different components. Hence, modeling is better controlled as geometries which fit one component do not necessarily fit all other components. Regional models are important for a general understanding of any area and as a background for local interpretations. Here, we explain how to construct density models from satellite gravity gradients and show the advantage of such an approach by comparison to earlier studies based on either seismic or gravity data.

Airborne gravity gradient (AGG) measurements offer an increased resolution and accuracy compared to terrestrial measurements. But interpretation and processing of AGG data are often challenging as levelling errors and survey noise affect the data, and these effects are not easily recognised in the gradient components. We adopted the classic method of upward continuation in the noise reduction using the noise level estimates by the AGG system. By iteratively projecting the survey data to a lower level and upward continuing the data back to the survey height, parts of the high-frequency signal are suppressed. The filter, which is defined by this approach, is directly dependent on the noise level of the AGG data, the maximum number of iterations and the iterative step. We demonstrate the method by applying it to both synthetic data and real AGG data over Karasjok, Norway, and compare the results to the directional filtering method. The results show that the iterative filter can effectively reduce high-frequency noise in the data.

We present a 3D regional crustal model for the North Atlantic, which is based on the integration of seismic constraints and gravity data. The model addresses the crustal thickness geometry, and includes information on sedimentary thickness, the presence of high-velocity zones in the lower crust, and information on the crustal density distribution in the continental and oceanic domains. Using an iterative forward- and inverse-modelling approach, we adhere to the seismic constraints within their uncertainty, but manage to enhance the crustal geometry in areas where seismic data are sparse or absent. A number of basins are resolved with more detail. Recently released seismic reflection data beneath the NE Greenland Shelf allowed for a major improvement of the crustal thickness estimates. Estimated Moho depths beneath the basins there vary between 15 and 25 km, which is compatible with the conjugate Norwegian margin. A major lower-crustal seismic velocity anomaly in the vicinity of the Greenland–Iceland–Faroe Ridge complex is supported by density modelling. We discuss the validity and uncertainties of our model assumptions and discuss the correlation with the main structural elements of the North Atlantic.

The interpretation protocols for defining offshore rifted margin architecture normally include seismic-reflection analysis supplemented by refraction and/or potential field modelling to help constrain sedimentary, basement and Moho geometries at depth and/or the presence of magmatic material. Interpretation of modern high-resolution long-offset reflection profiles shows that significant mismatches may arise between the structural observations made from these data and the common translation of density, magnetic or velocity values into specific rock types made by geophysical models. We illustrate this problem with three examples from the Mid-Norwegian rifted system, and discuss the implications with respect to the geological interpretation.

Solid earth : SE 10(6), 2073-2088 (2019). doi:10.5194/se-10-2073-2019, Published by Copernicus Publ., Göttingen

Curvature components derived from satellite gravity gradients provide new global views of Earth’s structure. The satellite gravity gradients are based on the GOCE satellite mission and we illustrate by curvature images how the Earth is seen differently compared to seismic imaging. Tectonic domains with similar seismic characteristic can exhibit distinct differences in satellite gravity gradients maps, which points to differences in the lithospheric build-up. This is particularly apparent for the cratonic regions of the Earth. The comparisons demonstrate that the combination of seismological, and satellite gravity gradient imaging has significant potential to enhance our knowledge of Earth’s structure. In remote frontiers like the Antarctic continent, where even basic knowledge of lithospheric scale features remains incomplete, the curvature images help unveil the heterogeneity in lithospheric structure, e.g. between the composite East Antarctic Craton and the West Antarctic Rift System.

Here we present a comprehensive depth and thickness map of the main Karoo and Cape Basins using borehole and reflection seismic data. The depth to the Whitehill Formation, which is the focus of current shale gas interest within the Karoo, is also mapped. Change: The deepest part of the basin is in the south, along the northern boundary of the Cape Fold Belt (~4000 m in the southwest Karoo and ~5000 m in the southeast; ~5500 to 6000 m sediment thickness). The Whitehill Formation along this boundary reaches a depth of ~3000 m in the southwest and ~4000 m in the southeast. Limited borehole data in the southeastern Karoo show a broad deepening of the basin here compared to the southwestern Karoo. In the southeast near East London faulting has resulted in deepening of the basin close to the coast, with the Whitehill Formation deepening to over ~5000 km. Seismic and borehole data show that the Cape Supergroup pinches out below the Karoo Basin around Beaufort West and Graaff-Reinet in the southern Karoo (32.6°S for the Bokkeveld and 32.4°S for the Table Mountain Group). The Cape Supergroup reaches thicknesses of around 4 km in the south. The gravity effect of these sediments does not account for the Cape Isostatic Anomaly (CIA) in the southern part of the Karoo Basin near Willowmore and Steytlerville, i.e., an ~45 mGal Bouguer gravity low. A refraction seismic profile over the anomaly shows this region is associated with a large volume of low velocity/density shallow sediments (4.5 m/s2, 2500 kg/m3), as well as a low velocity/density anomaly associated with a normal fault and the Klein Winterhoek Thrust Fault (5.5 m/s2, 2650 kg/m3). These low density shallow sediments are explained by uplift of Karoo and Cape sediments of ~2 km or greater that is evident on Soekor reflection seismic data. This deformation has brought lower density shales (1800 to 2650 kg/m3) of the Ecca Group closer to the surface. These shallower features along with a deeper lower crust in this region (6.5 m/s2, 2900 kg/m3) are interpreted to account for the CIA.

A three-dimensional interpretation of the central part of the West and Central African Rift System (WCARS) is presented using the Earth Gravity Model 2008 (EGM2008). The 3-D model presented here provides new insights into the regional lithospheric structure of the central sector of the WCARS. The 3-D model reveals a possible crustal thickness and density distribution beneath the rift system, and the depth extent of magmatic activity in the Benue Trough is revealed for the first time. Because of asthenospheric uplift, the crust under the Benue Trough is thinned. The zone of crustal thinning (

New magnetotelluric (MT) data in north-west Fennoscandia were acquired within the framework of the project “Magnetotellurics in the Scandes” (MaSca). The project focuses on the investigation of the crustal and upper mantle lithospheric structure in the transition zone from stable Precambrian cratonic interior to passive continental margin beneath the Caledonian orogen and the Scandinavian Mountains in western Fennoscandia. An array of 59 simultaneous long period and 220 broad-band MT sites were occupied in the summers of 2011 to 2013. The 3-D inversion of the MaSca data was obtained using the ModEM 3-D code. The full impedance and tipper data were used for the inversion. The rocks of Archaean and Proterozoic basement towards east and the Caledonian nappes towards west are modelled as resistive structures. In the central and southern parts, the whole crust is resistive and reflects the Trans-Scandinavian Igneous Belt granitoids. The middle to lower crust of the Svecofennian province is conductive. An uppermost crustal conductor is revealed in the Skelleftea Ore District. The south end of the Kittila Greenstone Belt is seen in the models as a strong upper to middle crustal conductor. In the Caledonides, the highly conductive alum shales are observed along the Caledonian Thrust Front. A map of the crustal conductance for the north-west Fennoscandian Shield is presented.

In the central part of Fennoscandia, the crust is currently rising, because of the delayed response of the viscous mantle to melting of the Late Pleistocene ice sheet. This process, called Glacial Isostatic Adjustment (GIA), causes a negative anomaly in the present-day static gravity field as isostatic equilibrium has not been reached yet. Several studies have tried to use this anomaly as a constraint on models of GIA, but the uncertainty in crustal and upper mantle structures has not been fully taken into account. Therefore, our aim is to revisit this using improved crustal models and compensation techniques. We find that in contrast with other studies, the effect of crustal anomalies on the gravity field cannot be effectively removed, because of uncertainties in the crustal and upper mantle density models. Our second aim is to estimate the effects on geophysical models, which assume isostatic equilibrium, after correcting the observed gravity field with numerical models for GIA. We show that correcting for GIA in geophysical modelling can give changes of several kilometer in the thickness of structural layers of modeled lithosphere, which is a small but significant correction. Correcting the gravity field for GIA prior to assuming isostatic equilibrium and inferring density anomalies might be relevant in other areas with ongoing postglacial rebound such as North America and the polar regions.

The source of the Beattie Magnetic Anomaly (BMA) still remains unclear, with several competing hypotheses. Here we add a piece to the puzzle by investigating available potential field data over the anomaly. Filtered magnetic data show the BMA as part of a group of linear magnetic anomalies. As the linear anomaly north of the BMA is associated with exposed supracrustals, migmatites and shear zones within the Natal thrust terranes we assume a similar source for the BMA. This source geometry, constrained by seismic and MT data, fits potential field data over the BMA and other magnetic linear anomalies in the south-central and south-western Karoo. In these models the bodies deepen from ~ 5 km towards the south, with horizontal extents of ~ 20–60 km and vertical extents of ~ 10–15 km. Densities range from 2800 to 2940 kg/m 3 and magnetic susceptibilities from 10 to 100 × 10 − 3 SI. These magnetic susceptibilities are higher than field values from supracrustal rocks (10–60 × 10 − 3 SI) but could be due to the fact that no remanent magnetisation was included in the model. The lithologies associated with the different linear anomalies vary as is evident from varying anomaly amplitudes. The strong signal of the BMA is linked to high magnetic susceptibility granulite facies supracrustals (~ 10–50 × 10 − 3 SI) as seen in the Antarctic, where the mobile belt continued during Gondwana times.

Recent interest in the main Karoo Basin of South Africa has been sparked by the possibility of extensive shale gas resources. Historical reflection seismic, petroleum exploration wells and regional magnetic data are used to better understand the distribution and geometry of dolerite intrusions within the basin that could have impacted the shale reservoir. The lowest concentration of dolerites are found in a region stretching from the southwest to the southeastern part of the basin around the town of Graaff-Reinet. These intrusions are confined to the Beaufort Group, ~1000 m shallower than the shale reservoir. In the southeastern Karoo around Queenstown, 5 to 30 km wide saucer-shaped sills extend down to ~800 m, with dips of between 2° and 8°. Further south, dolerite sheets around Somerset-East extend for over 150 km at dips of between 3° and 13°, and are imaged down to ~5 km. These dips appear to increase closer to the Cape Fold Belt in the south, although there is no correlation between the southern edge of these dolerites (i.e., the dolerite line) and the dip of sediments due to folding. Magnetic data are useful shale gas exploration to detect shallower (

The More Margin in the NE Atlantic represents a dominantly passive margin with an unusual abrupt transition from alpine morphology onshore to a deep sedimentary basin offshore. In order to study this transition in detail, three ocean bottom seismometer profiles with deep seismic reflection and refraction data were acquired in 2009; two dip-profiles which were extended by land stations, and one tie-profile parallel to the strike of the More–Trondelag Fault Complex. The modeling of the wide-angle seismic data was performed with a combined inversion and forward modeling approach and validated with a 3D-density model. Modeling of the geophysical data indicates the presence of a 12–15 km thick accumulation of sedimentary rocks in the More Basin. The modeling of the strike profile located closer to land shows a decrease in crustal velocity from north to south. Near the coast we observe an intra-crustal reflector under the Trondelag Platform, but not under the Slorebotn Sub-basin. Furthermore, two lower crustal high-velocity bodies are modeled, one located near the More Marginal High and one beneath the Slorebotn Sub-basin. While the outer lower crustal body is modeled with a density allowing an interpretation as magmatic underplating, the inner body has a density close to mantle density which might suggest an origin as an eclogized body, formed by metamorphosis of lower crustal gabbro during the Caledonian orogeny. The difference in velocity and extent of the lower crustal bodies seems to be controlled by the Jan Mayen Lineament, suggesting that the lineament represents a pre-Caledonian structural feature in the basement.

Window-based Euler deconvolution is commonly applied to magnetic and sometimes to gravity interpretation problems. For the deconvolution to be geologically meaningful, care must be taken to choose parameters properly. The following proposed process design rules are based partly on mathematical analysis and partly on experience. 1. The interpretation problem must be expressible in terms of simple structures with integer Structural Index (SI) and appropriate to the expected geology and geophysical source. 2. The field must be sampled adequately, with no significant aliasing. 3. The grid interval must fit the data and the problem, neither meaninglessly overgridded nor so sparsely gridded as to misrepresent relevant detail. 4. The required gradient data (measured or calculated) must be valid,with sufficiently low noise, adequate representation of necessary wavelengths and no edge-related ringing. 5. The deconvolution window size must be at least twice the original data spacing (line spacing or observed grid spacing) and more than half the desired depth of investigation. 6. The ubiquitous sprays of spurious solutions must be reduced or eliminated by judicious use of clustering and reliability criteria, or else recognized and ignored during interpretation. 7. The process should be carried out using Cartesian coordinates if the software is a Cartesian implementation of the Euler deconvolution algorithm (most accessible implementations are Cartesian). If these rules are not adhered to, the process is likely to yield grossly misleading results. An example from southern Africa demonstrates the effects of poor parameter choices.