A least-squares approach to depth determination from second derivative gravity anomalies due to two-dimensional faulted and folded structures with application to the Gulf of Suez region, Egypt

The present work confirms the basic ideas of Gupta [1983 Geophysics48, 357–360] and Abdelrahman et al. [1985 Geophysics50, 262–263] on the effectiveness of the least-squares method in determining depths to a vertical step (thin plate approximation) and a horizontal cylinder from the second vertical derivative maps by finding a solution of a non-linear equation in the form of f(z) = 0. Analysis of the second vertical derivative anomaly map in an area of the Gulf of Suez region of Egypt by this present approach revealed a depth to the center of a long NW-SE trending salt body approximated by a horizontal cylinder to be in a very good agreement with that obtained from seismic depth maps.