A regional background model for the Arabian Peninsula from modeling satellite gravity gradients and their invariants

• Published in: Tectonophysics Vol. 692; pp. 86 - 94
• Main Authors: Holzrichter, N., Ebbing, J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 05.12.2016; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Anomalies; Arabian Peninsula; Components; Constraint modelling; Crustal structure; Density; Density modeling; Earthquake construction; GOCE (experiment); GOCE gravity gradients; Gradients; Gravitation; Gravitational fields; Gravity; Gravity data; Gravity field; Invariants; Lithosphere; Modelling; Moho; Ocean circulation; Ocean currents; Satellites; Spatial resolution; Three dimensional models; Water circulation; Arabian Peninsula; GOCE gravity gradients; Arabian Peninsula; Density modeling; Moho; Lithosphere
• ISSN: 0040-1951; 1879-3266
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tecto.2016.06.002

Gravity gradients of the GOCE (Gravity field and steady state Ocean Circulation Explorer) mission are available and provide free available data with global homogeneous coverage. The spatial resolution is about 80km which makes it possible to construct regional models of large or remote areas. We study the benefit of using this data for compiling a 3D regional density model of the lithosphere with emphasis on the crustal structure for the Arabian Peninsula. We keep the data at satellite level to avoid noise amplification. The initial density model was set up with only a few seismic constraints and modified by forward modeling. Forward models benefits from the use of the full gravity gradient tensor and the invariants. The misfits between the measured and calculated field are more easily recognized in the gravity gradient tensor than in the gravity field alone. Different shape and location of anomalies are visible in the different components. Hence, modeling is better controlled as geometries which fit one component do not necessarily fit all other components. Regional models are important for a general understanding of any area and as a background for local interpretations. Here, we explain how to construct density models from satellite gravity gradients and show the advantage of such an approach by comparison to earlier studies based on either seismic or gravity data. •We set up a regional background model with help on satellite gravity gradients.•The new model reduces misfits over the Arabian Peninsula.•Lateral density changes in the crust are detectable with satellite gravity gradients.•Forward modeling of satellite gradients can be used for regional density models.