A LEAST‐SQUARES PROCEDURE FOR GRAVITY INTERPRETATION

Abstract
A procedure suitable for use on high‐speed digital computers is presented for interpreting two‐dimensional gravity anomalies. In order to determine the shape of a disturbing mass with known density contrast, an initial model is assumed and gravity anomalies are calculated and compared with observed values at n points, where n is greater than the number of unknown variables (e.g. depths) of the model. Adjustments are then made to the model by a least‐squares approximation which uses the partial derivatives of the anomalies so that the residuals are reduced to a minimum. In comparison with other iterative techniques, convergence is very rapid. A convenient method to use for both the calculation of the anomalies and the adjustments is the two‐dimensional method of Talwani, Worzel, and Landisman, (1959) in which the outline of the body is polygonized and the anomalies and the partial derivatives of the anomaly with respect to the depth of a vertex on the body can be expressed as functions of the coordinates of the vertex. Not only depths but under certain circumstances regional gravity values may be evaluated; however, the relationship of the disturbing body to the gravity information may impose certain limitations on the application of the procedure.