Interpretation of Gravity Anomalies by Multi-Scale Evaluation of Maxima of Gradients and 3D Modelling in Bipindi Region (South-West Cameroon)

Abstract

The gravity maps display, in Bipindi zone, local oval culminations of low anomalies indicative of a presence of intrusive light body in a subsurface but the nature, the form and the position of this body are still unknown. The analyses of established gravimetric anomaly maps, the multi-scale evaluation of maxima of gradients and the quantitative interpretation of residual anomalies by 3D modelling permit characterizing the intrusive light body situated at Bipindi. The multi-scale evaluation of maxima of gradients shows that the modelling of the intrusive light body of Bipindi can be done without the problem of interference of anomalies from different sources. The 3D model of Bipindi zone shows two dissymmetrical blocks of the same type of rock with a density contrast of -0.095 g · cm -3 in comparison with the density of the surrounding metamorphic rocks. The two blocks are at a distance about 3 km from one to another. The upper surfaces of these blocks lie at a depth between 1 and 2 km. Their lower surfaces have two landings; one lies at a depth of about 8 km and another at a depth about 14 km. A consideration of the density of the modelled body, of the ranges of densities of specific rocks present in the general region indicates that the body may be composed of nepheline syenites. The intrusive body of Bipindi is situated in a senestral shear zone. The area situated between the two blocks of this intrusive body may be indicated for a detail study in the domain of mineral research.