SE United States Gravity Maps

This map covers continental shelf regions of the southeast United States. The highest levels of the geoid are found on the south side of the Gulf of Mexico. Geoid highs generally indicate regions of excess mass, unaccounted for by a homogeneous ellipsoid, which acts as the reference surface (and solid) upon which the geoid (and anomalous potential) refers. Local lows in the geoid are seen in the in the deeper portions of the Gulf of Mexico. A small complex of "ridges" can be seen off of southern Louisiana and off the western coasts of Florida.

Gravity anomaly maps feature more localized variations in the intensity of gravity. Again, we see gravity anomaly highs associated with piedmont regions and offshore of the Gulf of Mexico coast. An interesting complex of positive and negatve anomalies across the Bahama Island region very likely associated with the rather deep Providence Channels that interlace with the islands, themselves.

Gravity anomaly lows are seen in the depths of the Gulf of Mexico, particularly along the sharper and well defined edges of the continental shelves..

Created: July 13, 2008
Last Updated: July 13, 2008