A First Order Approximation of the Depth of a Sedimentary Basin

by Mari Patient

Submitted : Spring 2019

One method that geologists use to properly investigate geologic structures such as faults, folds, sedimentary basins, and many other features, is to survey the gravitational anomalies that occur because of differing densities.  These anomalies can be represented in a color-coded map that considers the anomalies due to differing elevation and terrain.  The purpose of this paper is to calculate a first order approximation of the depth of a sedimentary basin using the gravitational profile of the feature as well as a function that utilizes a contour interval, considering that the density of the filled basin is not constant.  Coding is often used in geology in situations such as this where it is impractical to complete calculations by hand.

[ Back ]