Voxel solution and 3D sub-surface imaging in the Douala sedimentary sub-basin (Cameroon)

Publication date: Available online 22 July 2019Source: Physics of the Earth and Planetary InteriorsAuthor(s): Eric N. Ndikum, Kenfack J. Victor, F. Koumetio, Serge H. Pokam Kengni, Charles T. TabodAbstractGravity data consisting of a total of 128 data points located between latitudes 3° 21′N and 4° 9′ N and longitudes 8° 27′ E and 9° 16′ E have been computed for Bouguer and residual anomaly maps in this study. From the plots of these maps which are characterized by very high positive ring shaped contours towards the centre, which are suggestive of a subsurface intrusive body, three anomaly zones as well as two minor peaks were identified. The maps were also characterized by W-E alignment of contours to the N and S as well as approximately NNW-SSE alignments to the E and to some extent, the W of the study area. A layered earth model which constitutes a depth model built using the geosoft montaj extension, GM-SYS 3D, was used to provide a surface-oriented model for this intrusive body. Using constant layers added to a 3D model at depths of 5 km, 10 km, 15 km, 20 km, 25 km, 30 km, 33 km, 35 km and 39 km; each in the absence of the others, forward calculations were employed to calculate the density contrast of each layer while their densities were recalculated using constant density inversion. Structural inversion of each of these layers then generated their surface-oriented models. The optimum inverse model for the intrusive body was obtained at a d...
Source: Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors - Category: Physics Source Type: research