Parabolic density function in sedimentary basin modelling

Abstract

For modelling sedimentary basins of large thickness from their gravity anomalies, the concept of parabolic density function which explains the variation of true density contrast of the sediments with depth in such basins is introduced in Bott's (1960) procedure. The analytical expression the gravity anomaly of a two-dimensional vertical prism with parabolic density contrast needed to estimate the gravity effect of the basin in modelling procedure is derived in a closed form. Two profiles of gravity anomalies, one across San Jacinto Graben, California and the other across Tucson basin, Arizona where the density of sediments is found to vary with depth are interpreted. © 1993 Birkhäuser Verlag.