Hide
The Teaching Quantitative Skills in the Geosciences website has not been significantly updated since 2011. We are preserving the web pages here because they still contain useful ideas and content. But be aware that the site may have out of date information.
You can find more recent and extensive resources on the Teach the Earth website.

Using the Gravity Method in Mineral Exploration

Michael Charles Dentith, The University of Western Australia Department of Geology and Geophysics
Initial Publication Date: September 26, 2007

Summary

Use gravity measurements to explore manganese deposits. Students are given a description of manganese depostits, an outcrop map of the prospect, a Bouguer gravity map of the prospect, and a set of relevant gravity observations. Discussion of gravity data reduction (correction) lets students revisit basic concepts of gravity and gain confidence in using the gravitational equation to explain reduction methodology. They then reduce data, isolate the residual anomaly, and interpret the results.


Learning Goals

  • Introduce simple gravity anomaly assessment methods.
  • Understand causes of variations in gravity observations.
  • Begin to understand overlapping anomalies of different wavelengths and problems associated with isolating features of interest.
  • Create confidence and familiarity with basic geophysical methods so that more complex ones seem more approachable.
  • Gain confidence in basing understanding on mathematical expressions.
  • Gain skills used in geophysics workplaces.

Context for Use

This activity and related computer program (GRAVANOM for MAC) are specifically designed for geology majors encountering geophysics for the first time or for an introductory geophysics course.

Description and Teaching Materials

The computer program GRAVANOM for Macintosh is required.

Teaching Notes and Tips

This activity can be modified for more numerate students.


References and Resources

Dentith, M.C., and Wheatley, M.R., 1999, An Introductory Geophysical Exercise Demonstrating the Use of the Gravity Method in Mineral Exploration, Journal of Geoscience Education, v. 47, p. 213