Gravity Method in Geology
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Questions and Answers

What is the mean value of gravity at the Earth's surface?

  • 9.6 m s-2
  • 10.0 m s-2
  • 9.8 m s-2 (correct)
  • 9.81 m s-2
  • What is the unit of gravity referred to as the gravity unit (gu)?

  • 1 gu = 1 mgal
  • 1 gu = 1 μms-2
  • 1 gu = 100 μms-2
  • 1 gu = 10 μms-2 (correct)
  • Which of the following accurately describes the accuracy obtainable during gravity surveys on land?

  • ±1 gu
  • ±100 gu
  • ±0.1 gu (correct)
  • ±0.01 gu
  • How does latitude affect the value of gravity on Earth?

    <p>Gravity changes according to latitude position (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the mathematical expression for Normal Gravity (gn) in relation to latitude (Ф)?

    <p>gn(Ф) = 978.031846 (1 + 0.005278895 sin^2(Ф) + 0.000023462 sin^4(Ф)) (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the difference between the equatorial radius and the polar radius of the Earth?

    <p>21.385 km (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor contributes to the variation of gravity across the Earth's surface?

    <p>Composition of the Earth's crust (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main principle behind gravity prospecting?

    <p>It uses variations in the Earth's gravitational field due to density differences. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT an application of the gravity method?

    <p>Astrobiology research (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characteristic is associated with micro-gravity surveys?

    <p>They often detect anomalies such as buried cavities. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Newton's Law of Gravitation, what happens to the gravitational force between two masses if the distance between them is doubled?

    <p>The gravitational force becomes four times weaker. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a gravity anomaly?

    <p>A localized perturbation in the gravitational field due to subsurface mass differences. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor does NOT influence the gravitational field measured in gravity surveys?

    <p>The temperature of the surrounding environment (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which gravitational constant value is used in the formula representing Newton's Law of Gravitation?

    <p>$6.673 × 10^{-11}$ (m³.kg-1.sec-2) (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which geological feature is generally associated with small negative gravity anomalies?

    <p>Salt domes (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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    Flashcards

    Mean Gravity

    The average value of gravity on Earth's surface, around 9.8 m/s².

    Gravity Unit (gu)

    Tiny variations in Earth's gravity caused by density changes in the subsurface, measured in micrometres per second squared (µm/s²).

    Milligal (mgal)

    A unit used to measure gravity differences, equal to 10^-3 cm/s².

    Gravity Variation with Latitude

    The gravity value changing according to latitude due to the Earth being a rotating, flattened ellipsoid.

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    Local Gravity Variations

    Variations in gravity caused by local features and formations on Earth's surface.

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    Normal Gravity (gn)

    A mathematical function describing the global gravity variation caused by the flattening and rotation of Earth. Often expressed as gn(Ф).

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    Equatorial Radius (a)

    The radius of Earth at the equator, roughly 6378.160 km.

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    Polar Radius (b)

    The radius of Earth at the poles, approximately 6356.775 km.

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    What is gravity prospecting?

    Gravity prospecting is a method of investigating subsurface geology by measuring variations in Earth's gravitational field.

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    What is a gravity anomaly?

    A gravity anomaly is a localized perturbation in the Earth's gravitational field caused by subsurface density variations.

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    What kind of geological features can gravity anomalies reveal?

    Gravity anomalies can indicate the presence of features like buried valleys, salt domes, or granite plutons.

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    What is the fundamental principle of gravity prospecting?

    The basic principle behind gravity prospecting is Newton's Law of Gravitation, which describes the force of attraction between two objects with mass.

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    What is the Universal Gravitational Constant (G)?

    The Universal Gravitational Constant (G) is a fundamental constant used in Newton's Law of Gravitation, representing the strength of the gravitational force.

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    What are micro-gravity surveys?

    Micro-gravity surveys are small-scale gravity surveys used to detect features like buried cavities, typically covering areas of hundreds of square meters.

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    What are some applications of the gravity method?

    Gravity method can be used for various applications, including hydrocarbon exploration, regional geological studies, and determining the shape of the Earth.

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    How do salt domes affect gravity anomalies?

    Salt domes are geological structures that have a lower density than surrounding rocks, creating negative gravity anomalies.

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    Study Notes

    Gravity Method

    • Gravity prospecting uses Earth's passive potential fields.
    • Subsurface geology is mapped based on density variations in subsurface rocks.
    • A causative subsurface mass creates a localized gravity anomaly.
    • Small-scale anomalies indicate buried landforms like valleys.
    • Larger-scale anomalies are linked to salt domes, granite plutons, or sedimentary basins.
    • Micro-gravity surveys pinpoint very small features like cavities.

    Gravity Method Applications

    • Shape of the Earth is determined.
    • Hydrocarbon exploration is enhanced.
    • Regional geology is studied.
    • Isostatic compensation is determined.
    • Subsurface cavities (microgravity) are detected.
    • Buried valleys are localized.
    • Glacier thickness is measured.
    • Tidal oscillations are studied.
    • Basin geometry is analyzed.

    Basic Theory

    • Newton's Law of Gravitation is fundamental.
    • The gravitational force between two masses is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their centers.
    • The universal gravitational constant (G) is a key factor.
    • G's experimentally determined value dictates the strength of the attraction.

    Units of Gravity

    • The average surface gravity is approximately 9.8 m/s².
    • Variations due to density differences are around 100 μms⁻².
    • Gravity units (gu) are used in surveys.
    • High accuracy (±0.1 gu) is achievable on land.
    • Sea surveys have lower accuracy (±10 gu).
    • The milligal (mgal) is the c.g.s. unit; 1 mgal = 10⁻³gal = 10⁻³cm/s².

    Basic Theory (Additional Factors)

    • Earth's gravitational field changes across space.
    • Numerous factors impact regional gravity.
    • Measured gravity represents all components' vector sum at the observation point.
    • Earth's non-uniformity stems from shape, rotation, and composition.

    Gravity Variation

    • Earth's rotation and flattening cause global gravity variations.
    • The equatorial radius is greater than the polar radius.
    • This results in a difference in these two values.
    • There are other types of local variations too.

    Normal Gravity

    • Normal gravity (gn) changes based on latitude (°).
    • It's a mathematical function expressing both of the Earth's flattening and rotation effects.
    • The function displays a curve when plotted against latitude.

    The Earth Gravity Variation

    • Global and local gravity variations are categorized.
    • Specific materials have density ranges and approximate average densities.
    • Space and geographic features are influential.
    • Time-varying factors, like tidal effects and instruments, impact gravity measurements.

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    Related Documents

    Gravity Method PDF

    Description

    Explore the intricacies of gravity prospecting and its applications in understanding subsurface geology. This quiz covers concepts such as gravity anomalies, Newton's Law of Gravitation, and practical uses in hydrocarbon exploration and regional geology studies. Test your knowledge on how gravity helps map the Earth's hidden features.

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