Three –dimensional Analysis of Gravity Anomalies of Sedimentary Basins 
               by Polygonal Prismatic Model with a Quadratic Density Function 

                                     D. Bhaskara Rao and N. Ramesh Babu

                                           Abstract

                       The decrease of density contrast in sedimentary strata may be
                    approximated by a quadratic function. A sedimentary basin may be
                    considered as a number of horizontal polygonal prisms of finite
                    thickness placed one over another. Equations for the gravity anomaly of
                    an n-sided polygon prism have been derived using quadratic function. A
                    method has been developed for inversion of the gravity anomalies using
                    a polygonal prismatic model. Approximate equations have been derived
                    for rapid calculation of the anomalies and derivatives. Efficient
                    computer programs have been developed for rapid calculation by
                    appropriate use of exact and approximate equations. These methods have
                    been applied to analyze the Bouguer anomaly map of the Los Angeles basin.

                                          Reference

                    D. Bhaskara Rao and N. Ramesh Babu(1993). Three-dimensional Analysis of 
                    Gravity Anomalies of Sedimentary Basins by Polygonal Prismatic Model with
                    a Quadratic Density Function. PAGEOPH. Vol. 140. No. 3, 455-469.

                                           (Abstract)(Full text)

                    Bhaskara Rao, D. (1986), Modeling of Sedimentary Basins from Gravity Anomalies
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                                           (Abstract)(Full text)

                    Plouff, D. (1976), Gravity and Magnetic Fields of Polygonal Prisms and Application 
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                                           (Abstract)(Full text)