Quantifying the Errors in Gravity Reduction

Abstract

Mistakes in processing gravity data lead to errors in the final product. This can mean that overlapping gravity surveys are often incompatible, and can lead to incorrect geological interpretations. In this paper I demonstrate the magnitude of the errors introduced at various stages of the gravity reduction process. I have focussed on errors relating to calibration factors, time zones and time changes, height, geodetic datums, gravity datums, and the equations involved therein. The errors range from below the level of detection, to many milligals.

The results highlight the need to not only be diligent and thorough in processing gravity data, but also how it is necessity to document the steps taken when processing data. Without properly documented gravity surveys they cannot be reprocessed should an error be identified.