A least-squares minimization approach to interpret gravity anomalies caused by a 2D thick, vertically faulted slab

Abstract We present a least-squares minimization approach to estimate simultaneously the depth to and thickness of a buried 2D thick, vertically faulted slab from gravity data using the sample spacing – curves method or simply s-curves method. The method also provides an estimate for the horizontal location of the fault and a least-squares estimate for the density contrast of the slab relative to the host. The method involves using a 2D thick vertical fault model convolved with the same finite difference second horizontal gradient filter as applied to the gravity data. The synthetic examples (noise-free and noise affected) are presented to illustrate our method. The test on the real data (Central Valley of Chile) and the obtained results were consistent with the available independent observations and the broader geological aspects of this region.