GRAVITY ANOMALIES OF TWO‐DIMENSIONAL FAULTS

Abstract

A simplified formula is given for the gravity effect of a horizontal semi‐infinite block truncated by a dipping plane. This formula is used to obtain curves illustrating the gravity anomalies for blocks having different thicknesses and depths truncated by planes dipping at various angles. By combining two blocks, results are obtained for faulted horizontal beds for a wide range of bed thicknesses and depths, fault displacements and dips. These should be useful as guides in interpreting fault anomalies, and in planning gravity programs intended to map faults. The most striking feature of the curves is the marked effect of the dip of the fault plane on the curves for faulted beds. The asymmetry of the fault curves is related mainly to the dip and can be used to determine dips between 30 and 90 degrees. If the dip of the fault, density contrast, and bed thickness are known, the depths to the bed on the two sides of the fault are given by the sizes and positions of the gravity maximum and minimum.