Geology 438 Gravity and Electromagnetism, midterm exam; 2003 _____________________________ 1.

. The cross section below shows two 100-meter deep, geometrically identical holes made in a sea level plain. For the hole on the left, the excavated material was piled up at the sides of the hole. The hole on the right was made by compacting the material beneath the hole. Youve made tightly spaced gravity observations at ground level across both holes. On the axes provided directly beneath the sketches, sketch the observed gravity, free air anomaly, and Bouguer anomaly for each hole. Think about relative amplitudes as you sketch the anomalies and explain your assumptions and reasoning as necessary.

2. a. Lets say the average elevation of a broad region is 1 kilometer, the crust is 40 kilometers thick, the average crustal density is 2760 kg/m3, mantle density is 3250 kg/m3, and the depth of compensation is at 120 kilometers. Now, imagine igneous processes from adjacent subduction add a 5 kilometer thick granitic sill, 2700 kg/m3, in the mid crust. Assume 100% Airy compensation and calculate the new average elevation.

2 b. How much of the crust do you have to erode to get the surface back down to sea level?

3. Provide short, concise and accurate explanations, with a strong geophysical context, for each of the following terms: a. Planetary moment of inertia:

b. Earths equatorial bulge:

c. Tidal friction:

d. Geoid:

f. Backstripping:

4. For each of the following equations, explain the variables, and provide an example of a geophysical application (or result) of the equation:

a.

x x

y y

g ( z) d xd y 2 . . G. M

b. BA = gobs gth +FAC BC + TC

2 Re

c. Me = 6 * 10 kg =
24

zz z
0 0 0

(a *(r Re) + 3000kg )r 2 sin( )drdd

d. Lo = Mm ro

1/2

(G Me)1/2