Three-dimensional gravimetric modelling to detect the deep structure of the region Vogtland/NW-Bohemia

• Published in: Journal of geodynamics Vol. 35; no. 1; pp. 209 - 220
• Main Authors: Hofmann, Yvonne, Jahr, Thomas, Jentzsch, Gerhard
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 2003
• ISSN: 0264-3707
• DOI: 10.1016/S0264-3707(02)00063-7

The occurrence of swarm earthquakes in the Vogtland/NW-Bohemia area results probably from the physical interactions of fluids, the stress field and the geometry of the geological units. Therefore the present study aims at the development of a 3-D density model of the region with a vertical range of 35 km. A new Bouguer anomaly map is presented containing about 17 000 gravity data points. Prominent Bouguer anomalies are produced by the granites of Eibenstock and Karlovy Vary (low with −75 mGal), the metabasites near Mariánzké Lázně (high with 5 mGal) and the Münchberg Gneiss Massif (gravity high of Hof with 10 mGal). The geometry of the internal model structures correspond to geological units and, thus, the modelled gravity fits well the observed Bouguer anomaly. The 3-D gravimetric modellings indicate detailed geometries of the geological settings. With regard to the periodic occurrence of swarm earthquakes in the Vogtland region the existence of an upwelling mantle or a magmatic body is investigated. Precise information only can be given, if the vertical extension of the near surface bodies is known.