Multi-resolution analysis of gravity anomalies: A comparative study of modern and spherical approximation techniques

Analysing gravity anomalies is a key method of understanding the Earth’s shape, structure, and subsurface composition. This is done by modeling the Geoid, an irregular surface, into a regular sphere or ellipsoid for easy computations. These approximations, however, result in some inaccuracies in pr...

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Main Authors: Kolawole S. ILESANMI, Herbert TATA, Ifechukwu U. NZELIBE, Timothy O. IDOWU
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Society of Land Measurements and Cadastre from Transylvania (SMTCT) 2025-05-01
Series:Nova Geodesia
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Online Access:https://novageodesia.ro/index.php/ng/article/view/337
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author Kolawole S. ILESANMI
Herbert TATA
Ifechukwu U. NZELIBE
Timothy O. IDOWU
author_facet Kolawole S. ILESANMI
Herbert TATA
Ifechukwu U. NZELIBE
Timothy O. IDOWU
author_sort Kolawole S. ILESANMI
collection DOAJ
description Analysing gravity anomalies is a key method of understanding the Earth’s shape, structure, and subsurface composition. This is done by modeling the Geoid, an irregular surface, into a regular sphere or ellipsoid for easy computations. These approximations, however, result in some inaccuracies in prospecting for underground minerals using satellite gravimetric data. This study aims to perform a multi-resolution analysis for interpreting satellite-obtained gravity anomalies computed by the modern approach and spherical approximation to determine the performances of both gravity anomaly computation techniques for mineral exploration. The satellite-acquired modern and spherical approximated gravity anomalies over a study area were separated into regional and residual gravity anomaly components using a 2D Discrete Wavelet Transform. The quantity, depth, shape, and density of deposited mineral were computed from their respective residual gravity anomalies using the 2D Continuous Wavelet Transform and Modulus Maxima of the wavelet transform coefficients. The result obtained from using spherical approximated gravity anomalies data was less satisfactory due to its lower Regional-to-Residual Ratio (RRR) and high variance as well as high Root Mean Square Error. Compared with the results of the modern defined gravity anomalies, the use of spherical approximation data gave an over-estimated quantity of mineral deposits by 6.44%. Also, at a 99% confidence level, the computed densities and density variances were overestimated by 1.3% and 0.92%, respectively. Hence, gravity anomaly data computed with modern technique is recommended for an optimum interpretation of gravity anomalies for exploration purposes.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2810-2754
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publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher Society of Land Measurements and Cadastre from Transylvania (SMTCT)
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spelling doaj-art-29ddd92d2dca47c8b4a46d873e6681702025-08-23T10:53:41ZengSociety of Land Measurements and Cadastre from Transylvania (SMTCT)Nova Geodesia2810-27542025-05-015310.55779/ng53337Multi-resolution analysis of gravity anomalies: A comparative study of modern and spherical approximation techniquesKolawole S. ILESANMI0Herbert TATA1Ifechukwu U. NZELIBE2Timothy O. IDOWU3Ajayi Crowther University Oyo, Department of surveying and Geoinformatics, 1066, Oyo-Ogbomosho Highway, OyoFederal University of Technology Akure, Department of Surveying and Geoinformatics, 704, Akure-Ilesha Highway, AkureFederal University of Technology Akure, Department of Surveying and Geoinformatics, 704, Akure-Ilesha Highway, Akure, Federal University of Technology Akure, Department of Surveying and Geoinformatics, 704, Akure-Ilesha Highway, Akure, Analysing gravity anomalies is a key method of understanding the Earth’s shape, structure, and subsurface composition. This is done by modeling the Geoid, an irregular surface, into a regular sphere or ellipsoid for easy computations. These approximations, however, result in some inaccuracies in prospecting for underground minerals using satellite gravimetric data. This study aims to perform a multi-resolution analysis for interpreting satellite-obtained gravity anomalies computed by the modern approach and spherical approximation to determine the performances of both gravity anomaly computation techniques for mineral exploration. The satellite-acquired modern and spherical approximated gravity anomalies over a study area were separated into regional and residual gravity anomaly components using a 2D Discrete Wavelet Transform. The quantity, depth, shape, and density of deposited mineral were computed from their respective residual gravity anomalies using the 2D Continuous Wavelet Transform and Modulus Maxima of the wavelet transform coefficients. The result obtained from using spherical approximated gravity anomalies data was less satisfactory due to its lower Regional-to-Residual Ratio (RRR) and high variance as well as high Root Mean Square Error. Compared with the results of the modern defined gravity anomalies, the use of spherical approximation data gave an over-estimated quantity of mineral deposits by 6.44%. Also, at a 99% confidence level, the computed densities and density variances were overestimated by 1.3% and 0.92%, respectively. Hence, gravity anomaly data computed with modern technique is recommended for an optimum interpretation of gravity anomalies for exploration purposes. https://novageodesia.ro/index.php/ng/article/view/337gravimetric techniquegravity anomaliesmodern techniquemulti-resolution analysissatellite gravimetry and spherical approximation
spellingShingle Kolawole S. ILESANMI
Herbert TATA
Ifechukwu U. NZELIBE
Timothy O. IDOWU
Multi-resolution analysis of gravity anomalies: A comparative study of modern and spherical approximation techniques
Nova Geodesia
gravimetric technique
gravity anomalies
modern technique
multi-resolution analysis
satellite gravimetry and spherical approximation
title Multi-resolution analysis of gravity anomalies: A comparative study of modern and spherical approximation techniques
title_full Multi-resolution analysis of gravity anomalies: A comparative study of modern and spherical approximation techniques
title_fullStr Multi-resolution analysis of gravity anomalies: A comparative study of modern and spherical approximation techniques
title_full_unstemmed Multi-resolution analysis of gravity anomalies: A comparative study of modern and spherical approximation techniques
title_short Multi-resolution analysis of gravity anomalies: A comparative study of modern and spherical approximation techniques
title_sort multi resolution analysis of gravity anomalies a comparative study of modern and spherical approximation techniques
topic gravimetric technique
gravity anomalies
modern technique
multi-resolution analysis
satellite gravimetry and spherical approximation
url https://novageodesia.ro/index.php/ng/article/view/337
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AT ifechukwuunzelibe multiresolutionanalysisofgravityanomaliesacomparativestudyofmodernandsphericalapproximationtechniques
AT timothyoidowu multiresolutionanalysisofgravityanomaliesacomparativestudyofmodernandsphericalapproximationtechniques