Inversion of satellite gravimetric data from Recôncavo-Tucano-Jatobá Basin System

Abstract

Density differences among subsurface rocks cause variations in the gravitational field of Earth, which is known as gravity anomaly. Interpretation of these gravity anomalies allows assessment of the probable depth and shape of the causative body. For several decades, gravity data were acquired on the surface, but after the scientific and technological advances of the last decades, geopotential models were developed, including gravitational observations on a global scale through space satellite missions. This paper investigated the Moho structure in the region of Recôncavo-Tucano-Jatobá rift-basin system based on the information of the terrestrial gravity field from the EIGEN-6C4 geopotential model. The frequency domain inversion technique was applied, which is known as the Parker-Oldenburg iterative method. Bouguer anomaly data were used in the inversion procedure to determine the thickness and geometry of the crust in the region. Data inversion considered a two-layer model with constant density contrast, in which the entire signal was related to Moho topography. In addition, data inversion was carried out to determine the basement depths. The program proved to be efficient and able to manage large data sets. The results, both of the crust thickness and the sedimentary package, validated the geodynamic evolution understanding of the basin system.

KEYWORDS:
gravity inversion; satellite data; Parker-Oldenburg method; geopotential model EIGEN-6C4; gravity field and steady-state ocean circulation explorer