Interpretation of Gravity Anomalies over the Continental Rise of Sri Lanka

Abstract

Seven profiles of intense negative gravity anomaly over the South Western, Southern and South Eastern parts of the continental rise of Sri Lanka have been interpreted two dimensionally. Results of the interpretation of profiles were interpolated and a map of sediment thickness has been compiled. As revealed by the interpretation and the map compiled there are three noticeable sediment distributions with thickness varying from approximately 2.5 km to 3.5 km. Sediment thickness map in this study closely agree with that compiled using seismic studies by previous workers. Results of this study may have applications in the oil and gas exploration activities over the region.

Keywords: gravity anomaly, sediment thickness, Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka