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Topographically Predicted Vertical Gravity Gradient Field and Its Applicability in 3D and 4D Microgravimetry: Etna (Italy) Case Study

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Abstract

Some geophysical or geodynamic applications require the use of true vertical gradient of gravity (VGG). This demand may be associated with reductions of or corrections to observed gravity or its spatiotemporal changes. In the absence of in situ measured VGG values, the constant value of the theoretical (normal) free air gradient (FAG) is commonly used. We propose an alternative to this practice which may significantly reduce systematic errors associated with the use of constant FAG. The true VGG appears to be better approximated, in areas with prominent and rugged topography, such as alpine or some volcanic regions, by a value based on the modelled contribution of the topographic masses to the gradient. Such prediction can be carried out with a digital elevation model (DEM) of sufficient resolution and accuracy. Here we present the VGG field computed for Mt. Etna (Italy), one of the most active and best monitored volcanoes worldwide, to illustrate how strongly the VGG deviates spatially from constant FAG. The predicted (modelled) VGG field is verified by in situ observations. We also take a look at the sensitivity of the VGG prediction to the resolution and quality of used DEMs. We conclude with discussing the applicability of the topo-predicted VGG field in near surface structural and volcanological micro-gravimetric studies.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Slovak Research and Development Agency under the contract (Project) No. APVV-16-0482 (acronym LITHORES), and by the Scientific Grant Agency VEGA under projects Nos. 2/0006/19 and 2/0100/20. We thank Gerald Gabriel for a thorough review and suggested improvements.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Earth Science Institute, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, P.O. Box 106, 840 05, Bratislava, Slovakia

    Peter Vajda & Pavol Zahorec

  2. Department of Theoretical Geodesy, Slovak University of Technology, Bratislava, Slovakia

    Juraj Papčo

  3. Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV)—Sezione di Catania—Osservatorio Etneo, Catania, Italy

    Daniele Carbone, Filippo Greco & Massimo Cantarero

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  1. Peter Vajda
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  2. Pavol Zahorec
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  4. Daniele Carbone
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  5. Filippo Greco
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  6. Massimo Cantarero
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Correspondence to Peter Vajda.

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Vajda, P., Zahorec, P., Papčo, J. et al. Topographically Predicted Vertical Gravity Gradient Field and Its Applicability in 3D and 4D Microgravimetry: Etna (Italy) Case Study. Pure Appl. Geophys. 177, 3315–3333 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00024-020-02435-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00024-020-02435-x

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