Combining single-station microtremor and gravity surveys for deep stratigraphic mapping

Abstract

Any stratigraphic reconstruction by means of surface geophysical methods is affected by the nonuniqueness of data inversion and by the resolution-depth trade-off. The combination of different geophysical techniques can reduce the number of degrees of freedom of the problem. We have focused on two low-impact single-station geophysical techniques: microtremor and gravity. These have been used by previous authors for stratigraphic mapping only by comparing the results independently. We suggest a procedure to combine microtremor and gravity data into a unique subsoil model and explore to what extent their combined use can overcome their individual weaknesses and constrain the final result. We apply the procedure to the Bolzano sedimentary basin, Northern Italy, to derive a 3D bedrock model of the basin. We use microtremor data to map the ground resonance frequencies and derive an initial 3D bedrock depth model by assuming a VS profile for the sediment fill. Then, we define a density model for rock and sediments and perform 3D gravity forward modeling. We then perturb the VS and density models and find the parameters that best fit the observed gravity anomalies. Data uncertainties are examined to explore the significance of the results. Joint use of the two techniques successfully helps interpret the stratigraphic model: Ground resonance frequencies guarantee the spatial resolution of the bedrock geometry model, whereas gravity data help constrain the frequency to depth conversion.