A deterministic approach toward isostatic gravity residuals—A case study from South America

Abstract

A new deterministic method for correcting isostatic effects in gravity data sets overcomes the deficiencies of empirically based methods. This technique produces a superior gravity image for South America and has application to other continental‐scale gravity data sets. The basis for the correction is the Airy‐Heiskanen isostatic model, which assumes that surface topography is supported by crustal thickening. The three key parameters, (1) the crustal thickness at sea‐level, (2) the surface reduction density, and (3) the density contrast between the crust and the mantle, are determined directly from the elevation, free‐air gravity, and Bouguer gravity data sets. The surface density parameter of 2.60 g/cc is determined using a new fractal technique. This technique assumes that the topography is fractal. The best value for density is that which minimizes the fractal component caused by topographic effects. The new value is substantially different than the 2.67 g/cc density assumed by many previous workers for most continental‐scale data sets. The crust/mantle density contrast parameter of 0.45 g/cc is determined by comparison between the densities determined from crossplots of the Bouguer values versus elevation. The crustal thickness parameter of 30 km is determined using a spectral method applied to the free‐air gravity. The results of this work are not only an isostatic residual map, but a methodology that cross checks the data for quality control. The final isostatic residual map can be used with confidence for basin evaluation throughout the continent of South America. Basins at high elevations, like the eastern foreland basins of the Andes and the Altiplano Basin, are imaged better by using this method.