This paper presents the estimates of effective elastic thickness (T e) from free-air anomalies/geoid undulations and topography data in the southern São Francisco Craton, by using admittance function technique. The gravity field elements have been calculated from geopotential model GGM02C (GRACE mission). The observed admittance was computed by dividing the cross-spectra of the free-air anomalies/geoid undulations by the power of topography. Theoretical admittances were estimated based on two hypothesis of flexural compensation mechanism: surface topographic loads or loads beneath of lithosphere. The best fit was obtained by using the second hypothesis, were anegative density contrast (located at depth of 150 km) suggested 45 km for T e value. This low valiue of elastic thickness, combined with high heat flow and positive geoid undulations, can be explained by the presence of density perturbations in the mantle, which are associated with the chemical depletion and thermal anomalies, both are correlated with the complex geodynamic evolution of this important cratonic area in the South American plate.
gravity; geoid; effective elastic thickness; southern São Francisco Craton
