The Relationship Between Marine Gravity and Bathymetry

The theoretical basis is outlined for a quantitative relationship between two-dimensional bathymetry and free air gravity in stable ocean basins. The relationship, designed for use as an algorithm to predict gravity in areas where only bathymetry is known, is based on flexure theory for thin elastic plates and on the expected evolution with seafloor age of the isostatic response of oceanic lithosphere. The relationship is tested against bathymetric and gravity data in the central Pacific. (Author)