Use of the Polynomial Separation and the Gravity Spectral Analysis to Estimate the Depth of the Northern Logone Birni Sedimentary Basin (CAMEROON)

Abstract

Many scientists used the power spectrum of the gravity anomaly to obtain the average depth of the disturbing surface or equivalently the average depth to the top of the disturbing body. The spectrum of gravity anomaly due to layered source is separated into multiple segments in frequency domain that can be interpreted in terms of mean depth of the interface. The half of the slope of the segments gives the mean depth of the interfaces. This study aims to estimate the average residual depth anomalies of various regions of the northern Logone Birni sedimentary basin of Cameroon using polynomial separation of gravity anomalies, and spectral analysis along different profiles (segments). The profiles were derived from residual anomaly maps obtained by fitting the Bouguer anomalies, the interpretation used polynomial separation and depth average was done using spectral analysis. Positive and negative residual gravity anomalies were highlighted and their interpretation revealed the structural directions of the sedimentary basin (NW-SE and NE-SW), as well as an intimate relationship between the negative anomalies and the northern Logone Birni sedimentary basin. Three distinct residual anomalies were identified over the Goulfey, Tom Merifine and Tourba basin with an average depth varying between 0.24 km and 4.55 km.