Bathymetry Estimation Using the Gravity-Geologic Method: An Investigation of Density Contrast Predicted by the Downward Continuation Method

• Main Authors: Yu-Shen Hsiao, Jeong Woo Kim, Kwang Bae Kim, Bang Yong Lee, Cheinway Hwang
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Springer 2011
• Subjects: Gravity-geologic method; Density contrast; Downward continuation; Geology; QE1-996.5; Geophysics. Cosmic physics; QC801-809; Greenland; Alaska
• Online Access: https://doaj.org/article/4713ab69adcc46e09da32d04ed84c830

The downward continuation (DWC) method was used to determine the density contrast between the seawater and the ocean bottom topographic mass to estimate accurate bathymetry using the gravity-geologic method (GGM) in two study areas, which are located south of Greenland (Test Area #1: 40 - 50¢XW and 50 - 60¢XN) and south of Alaska (Test Area #2: 140 - 150¢XW and 45 - 55¢XN). The data used in this study include altimetry-derived gravity anomalies, shipborne depths and gravity anomalies. Density contrasts of 1.47 and 1.30 g cm-3 were estimated by DWC for the two test areas. The considerations of predicted density contrasts can enhance the accuracy of 3 ~ 4 m for GGM.