Scribd
Upload
46 views2 pages

LAB 1: Using The Gravimeter and Measuring The Free-Air Effect

This lab aims to measure how gravity decreases with elevation using gravimeters. Students will take gravity measurements at different heights near the HIG building to estimate the free-air effect. They will use two gravimeters - the LaCoste & Romberg G93 and G1096. Measurements will be corrected for temporal changes and converted to milligals using provided Matlab scripts. A best-fit line will estimate the free-air effect slope and be compared to the theoretical value. Absolute gravity will also be calculated at each point.

Uploaded by

Christopher Salim
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
46 views2 pages

LAB 1: Using The Gravimeter and Measuring The Free-Air Effect

This lab aims to measure how gravity decreases with elevation using gravimeters. Students will take gravity measurements at different heights near the HIG building to estimate the free-air effect. They will use two gravimeters - the LaCoste & Romberg G93 and G1096. Measurements will be corrected for temporal changes and converted to milligals using provided Matlab scripts. A best-fit line will estimate the free-air effect slope and be compared to the theoretical value. Absolute gravity will also be calculated at each point.

Uploaded by

Christopher Salim
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

GG 450L: Geophysical Methods Lab

LAB 1: Using the Gravimeter and Measuring the Free-Air Effect


Due Tue, January 26

The purpose of this lab is to learn the proper use of our gravimeters, to get a feel for their accuracy, and
to make our own estimate of the effects of elevation on gravity measurements. We will use two
different gravimeters: the LaCoste & Romberg G93 and G1096.

The pull of gravity decreases with elevation because—as you know—gravity decreases as 1/r2 where r
is the distance to the main body of mass that creates the Earth’s field. This main body is the Earth as a
sphere so r is the distance to the Earth’s center. Elevation increases r and likewise decreases the pull of
gravity. In gravity surveys where we are interested in isolating only the local geologic effects, we must
therefore correct for this unwanted elevation effect, which is known as the “free-air” effect.

Design an experiment at the HIG building to measure how much gravity decreases with elevation. This
will require 3-4 measurements at different heights but at the same geographic location.

1. a) A benchmark where absolute gravity has been measured is placed next to the HIG building. Near
this location would be a great place to define your base or reference station.
b) Record all measurements on the data sheet (datalog_gravity.xls) provided.
c) Record the time as well as elevation of each measurement site above your base station.
d) Make two measurements at your base station, one before and one after your other measurements.
Doing so will allow you to correct for any changes in gravity with time due to tides or due to
“instrument drift”.

2. Convert your counter-dial readings into milligals using either “G1096_to_mGal.m”, which uses
“G1096_table.dat” or “G93_to_mgal.m”, which uses “G93_table.dat”. A summary of what these
Matlab scripts do is given on the attached page.
3. Correct your readings for tidal variations/instrument drift. The rate change of measured gravity dg/dt
can be computed by taking the difference in the two gravity readings at the HIG benchmark and dividing
this number the time between the two readings. The amount that measured gravity changes between
each measurement is approximately the product of dg/dt and the time between each measurement.
Remove any temporal change in measured gravity from each of your measurements.
4. Make a plot showing your time-corrected gravity readings (in mGal) vs. elevation (in meters) and use
the Matlab function “polyfit” (see “lab1_start.m”) to find the line that best fits the trend. How does the
slope of your line compare to that given in class for the free-air gravity correction? Describe your ideas
for the real physical reason(s) that the two are different in the sense that they are.
5. Finally, calculate absolute gravity at each of your measurement points by using the absolute
measurement of the benchmark.
OUTLINE OF OPERATING PROCEDURES FOR G&G GRAVIMETERS
HANDLING THE GRAVIMETERS
Gravimeters are very sensitive scientific instruments; they have a dynamic range of over 7000 mGal and a reading accuracy
of 0.01 mGal. The replacement cost for each is ~$90,000, so please handle them with extreme care!
 Transport the gravimeters in their cases only. The cases should be closed an locked and should be carried, low to the
ground, only by the handle on top.
 Always, always keep the gravimeter in the upright position.
 Hold the eyepiece fixture to move the gravimeter in and out of the case.

PREPARATION
 Always set up on rock or other solid surface. Avoid soil, sand, grass, etc.
 Check the batteries before going into the field.
 Always use the leveling dish.
 Let the instrument warm up for at least 5-10 minutes before the first measurement

MEASUREMENT PROCEDURE
1. Open the carry case. Check that the LOCK KNOB is locked (rotated fully clockwise).
2. Use the eyepiece fixture to lift the gravimeter out of the case. Never lift it using the dial!
3. Check the temperature reading (should be ~49.3o for G93 and ~56.2o for G1096).
4. Level the instrument.
5. Unlock the instrument by turning the lock knob fully counter-clockwise (until it stops).
6. Use the silver reading dial to center the needle. Rotate the dial in the direction you would like the needle to go. A proper
reading is obtained when the swing of the needle is averaged. On the G93, 1 dial rotation = ~0.7 mgal. On the G1096, 1
dial rotation = ~1 mgal.
7. Read the counter then read the dial to obtain the measurement.
8. Lock the instrument (turn knob fully clockwise) and replace in case.

NOTES
 Wind, traffic, and other sources of ground “noise” can make it harder to make measurements.
 Instrument drift as well as tidal forces can produce a systematic offset in measurements conducted over time spans of
several hours. This is one reason why a survey should always start and end at a known benchmark.

CONVERSION OF COUNTER READING TO MILLIGALS


The reading of the gravimeter is spring tension. Please refer to the calibration tables provided for each instrument to convert
spring tension to milliGals. The value of gravity in milligals is given for each 100 units of the counter (the last digit on the
counter indicates tenths). By using this table, and the corresponding factor, the value of gravity for any reading of the
counter may be obtained in the following manner (as taken from the G93 manual):

1. Start with your gravimeter measurement.


Example: 2654.36
2. From the conversion table’s COUNTER READING column, use the counter reading nearest the example reading
(2654.36) but less than it. For this example the counter reading would be 2600. Then, find the VALUE IN
MGALS for a counter reading of 2600 which is 2731.10 mGals.
3. Obtain the difference in the original counter-dial reading and the counter reading chosen from the table.
2654.36 – 2600 = 54.36
4. Multiply this difference (54.36) by the interval factor given in the table for a counter reading of 2600.
54.36 x 1.05239 = 57.21
5. Add the above product to the milligals value. The sum thus obtained is the milligals value for the gravity station.
2731.10 + 57.21 = 2788.31
EXAMPLE CONVERSION TABLE VALUES:
COUNTER READING VALUE IN MGAL FACTOR FOR INTERVAL
2500 2625.88 1.05218
2600 2731.10 1.05239
2700 2836.34 1.05262

You might also like