Michal Grinč

3D gravity interpretation of the pre-Tertiary basement in the intramontane depressions of the Western Carpathians: a case study from the Turiec Basin

Abstract New results related to the thickness and density of the sedimentary fill of the Turiec Basin allowed us to construct the first original stripped gravity map for this typical intramontane Neogene depression of the Western Carpathians. The stripped gravity map of the Turiec Basin represents the Bouguer gravity anomalies corrected for the gravity effect of the density contrast of its Quaternary-Tertiary sedimentary basin fill. It means that the map reflects the gravity effects of the density inhomogeneities which are located beneath the sedimentary basin fill. This map is therefore suitable for the interpretation of the structure and composition of the pre-Tertiary basement. Based on the new data analysis, two different density models of the sedimentary fill were constructed. The 3D density modelling was used to calculate the gravity effect of the density models. The stripped gravity maps were produced by subtracting the density model gravity effects from Bouguer anomalies. The regional trend was also removed from the stripped gravity maps. The residual stripped gravity maps were consequently used for geological interpretation of the pre-Tertiary basement of the Turiec Basin. The pre-Tertiary basement of the Turiec Basin can be divided into northern and southern parts due to its gravity characteristics. Furthermore the northern part can be split into two domains: western and eastern. The crystalline basement of the western domain is probably formed by the Hercynian crystalline basement of the Tatric Unit. In the eastern domain the basement could consist mostly of the Mesozoic complexes of the Fatric Unit. The southern part of the pre-Tertiary basement of the Turiec Basin is built predominantly by Mesozoic complexes of the Hronic Unit. It is suggested that the Hronic Unit also forms the bedrock of the volcano-sedimentary complex of the Kremnické vrchy Mts. The resultant stripped gravity maps and the map of total horizontal gravity gradients have also proven to be very useful for the interpretation of faults or fault systems in the study area. Various faults, particularly of NNE-SSW and NW-SE directions were discovered. The analysis of the faults indicates clearly that the contact of the Turiec Basin with the Malá Fatra Mts and the Veľká Fatra Mts is tectonic.

Results of the gravity field interpretation in the Turčianska Kotlina Basin

Results of the gravity field interpretation in the Turčianska Kotlina Basin The paper deals with the quantitative interpretation of the gravity field in the Turčianska Kotlina Basin. The interpretation was done by means of the application of the 2D density modelling method using the GM-SYS software. Geophysical constraints of the density models are represented by the existing geophysical measurements and interpretations. The Turčianska Kotlina Basin in the picture of the regional gravity field is characterized by the local gravity low with amplitude of about 12 mGal. The source of this gravity low is low density Tertiary sediments, which fill the basin. From the Tertiary sediments the Neogene sediments play dominant role in observed gravity, because their gravity effects are considerably larger in comparison with the gravity effects of the Paleogene sediments. The contacts between the Malá Fatra and Veľká Fatra Mts., and the Turčianska Kotlina Basin are characterized by the significant gravity gradients. They reflect tectonic contact between the basin and crystalline core mountains. In the Turčianska gravity low we can see along the Profile TK-AL three local gravity lows. The highest local gravity low is explained by the largest thickness of the Tertiary sediments. Another two local gravity lows are also characterised by thicker layers of the Tertiary sediments. Density models assume that the eastern (western) part of the basin basement is built by the Mesozoic (crystalline) rocks. In the central part of the Profile TK-BL the thick Paleogene sedimentary filling (more than 1 km) compensates the deepest part of the Pretertiary basement. Density model along the Profile TK-BL does not suggest a presence of the Paleogene sediments in the basin filling. It is also indicated that the Mesozoic rocks underlie the Tertiary sediments. The Pretertiary basement was interpreted in the depths from 0 km up to the 2 km. Note that all geological structures (blocks) are sliding from the East to the West. The dipping of the Malá Fatra Mts. is steeper than in a case of the Veľká Fatra Mts. The anomalous bodies observed on the western part of the basin result from the alluvial and detrital cones. Their presence and gravity effect can be observed mainly on the eastern slope of the Malá Fatra Mts.

Validation of sensitivity and reliability of GPR and microgravity detection of underground cavities in complex urban settings: Test case of a cellar

Abstract We test here the feasibility of ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and microgravity methods in identifying underground voids, such as cellars, tunnels, abandoned mine-workings, etc., in complex urban conditions. For this purpose, we selected a cellar located under a private lot in a residential quarter of the town of Senec in Western Slovakia, which was discovered by chance when a small sinkhole developed on the yard just two meters away from the house. The size of our survey area was limited 1) by the presence of a technical room built at the back of the yard with a staircase leading to the garden, and 2) by the small width of the lot. Therefore the geophysical survey was carried out only in the backyard of the lot as we were not permitted to measure on neighbouring estates. The results from the GPR measurements obtained by the GSSI SIR-3000 system with 400 MHz antenna were visualized in the form of 2D radargrams with the corresponding transformed velocity model of studied cross-sections. Only the profiles running over the pavement next to the house yielded interpretable data because the local geological situation and the regular watering of the lawn covering prevailingly the backyard caused significant attenuation of the emitted GPR signal. The Bouguer gravity map is dominated by a distinctive negative anomaly indicating the presence of a shallow underground void. The quantitative interpretation by means of Euler deconvolution was utilized to validate the depth of the center and location of the cellar. Comparison with the gravitational effect of the cellar model calculated in the in-house program Polygrav shows a quite good correlation between the modelled and observed fields. Only a part of the aerial extent of the anomaly could be traced by the used geophysical methods due to accessibility issues. Nevertheless, the test cellar was successfully detected and interpreted by both methods, thus confirming their applicability in similar environmental and geotechnical applications, even in complex urban conditions.

3D GPR investigation of pavement using 1 GHz and 2 GHz horn type antenna – comparison of the results

Abstract Today, non-invasive, simple, safe, time efficient and traffic flow non-disturbing methods of the pavement diagnostics are requested. From this point of view a very convenient method seems to be the GPR investigation. The trial GPR survey of the Žilina airport was carried out in order to investigate the pavement of the runway. A testing field is placed where the geological drill hole has been drilled out. The GPR survey was performed in 3D geometry, hence in x and y directions. Two horn type antennas with central frequencies of 1 GHz and 2 GHz were used on the test field in order to verify thicknesses of pavement construction layers Here, the results of both 3D measurements are compared to each other However the investigation confirms two subhorizontal construction layers of the runway pavement, the results obtained in y-direction slightly differ at some areas. These errors are situated mainly in the areas where the linear cracks are found. On the other hand, results in x-directions are within standard error.

Non-invasive diagnostic methods for investigating the quality of Žilina airport’s runway

Abstract The Žilina airport was after almost 50 years of use measured by non-invasive methods including GPR and Profilograph GE in order to investigate the quality of the runway pavement at the chosen spots. Since it was just a pilot action, a sample of survey was carried out. The testing spots were placed where the geologic drill core J02 have been drilled out. The measurements performed by Profilograph GE were used to verify the quality of the pavement surface in term longitudinal unevenness by means of index IRI and C. The GPR survey was performed in 3D geometry, hence in the x- and y-direction. A horn type antenna with central frequency of 2 GHz was used on the test field in order to verify the thicknesses of pavement construction layers. Here, the result of a 3D survey is presented. The investigation confirms two sub-horizontal construction layers of the runway pavement. In some areas the GPR interpretation was not possible due to the signal attenuation. This significant signal attenuation is found mainly in the areas where the linear cracks are situated.

Automatic 1D integrated geophysical modelling of lithospheric discontinuities: a case study from Carpathian-Pannonian Basin region

Abstract Using a very fast 1D method of integrated geophysical modelling, we calculated models of the Moho discontinuity and the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary in the Carpathian-Pannonian Basin region and its surrounding tectonic units. This method is capable to constrain complicated lithospheric structures by using joint interpretation of different geophysical data sets (geoid and topography) at the same time. The Moho depth map shows significant crustal thickness variations. The thickest crust is found underneath the Carpathian arc and its immediate Foredeep. High values are found in the Eastern Carpathians and Vrancea area (44 km). The thickest crust modelled in the Southern Carpathians is 42 km. The Dinarides crust is characterized by thicknesses more than 40 km. In the East European Platform, crust has a thickness of about 34 km. In the Apuseni Mountains, the depth of the Moho is about 36 km. The Pannonian Basin and the Moesian Platform have thinner crust than the surrounding areas. Here the crustal thicknesses are less than 30 km on average. The thinnest crust can be found in the SE part of the Pannonian Basin near the contact with the Southern Carpathians where it is only 26 km. The thickest lithosphere is placed in the East European Platform, Eastern Carpathians and Southern Carpathians. The East European Platform lithosphere thickness is on average more than 120 km. A strip of thicker lithosphere follows the Eastern Carpathians and its Foredeep, where the values reach in average 160 km. A lithosphere thickness minimum can be observed at the southern border of the Southern Carpathians and in the SE part of the Pannonian Basin. Here, it is only 60 km. The extremely low values of lithospheric thickness in this area were not shown before. The Moesian Platform is characterized by an E-W trend of lithospheric thickness decrease. In the East, the thickness is about 110 km and in the west it is only 80 km. The Pannonian Basin lithospheric thickness ranges from 80 to 100 km.

Linearization of the Sobolev and Babeyko's formulae for transformation of P-wave velocity to density in the Carpathian-Pannonian Basin region

Linearization of the Sobolev and Babeykos formulae for transformation of P-wave velocity to density in the Carpathian-Pannonian Basin region The initial density model has to be based on a reasonable geological hypothesis and while the modelling process is non-unique, one of the interpretation aims is to define the robust parameters of the model. It is important at this stage to integrate the seismic and gravity data. One of the possibilities how to integrate these data is transformation of the seismic velocities to densities. The Sobolev and Babeykos formulae belong to the most available relationships for this transformation. They are very complex and rigorous taking into account the PT conditions. On the other hand its application is relatively complicated. Therefore the main goal of the paper is to try to determine more easily the formula for transformation of the seismic velocities to densities. Based on the analysis of the results obtained using the Sobolev and Babeykos formula on real data, we found out that in the Carpathian-Pannonian Basin region this formula can be transformed to simpler linear velocity-density relationship with required accuracy.