DEPTH AND THE ORIGIN OF THE WEST CARPATHIAN GRAVITY LOW

Detailed gravity survey of the Czechoslovak Carpathians has shown that the regional negative gravity (at least some part of it) is unusually shallow there. As for the depth of the main body, responsible for the West Carpathian gravity minimum, the results are presented of a maximum depth calculation (upper bounds). The principal part of a low-density material cannot originate deeper than 8.5 km. The density of the overlying Carpathian overthrust sheet rocks is fairly well known. These cannot be responsible for the minimum. The solution of the inverse gravity problem is presented using the two-dimensional least squares inversion. The principal contribution to the West Carpathian gravity low is explained by means of the autochthonous or allochthonous light foredeep and epicontinental sea sediments lying below the overthrust sheet of the West Carpathians. The solution of the Alpine gravity low inversion can probably be similar. © 1979.