Abstract

SEASAT-derived, free-air gravity, generated by W.F. Haxby of Lamont-Doherty Geophysical. Observatory, field was compared with conventional shipborne gravity in S.E. Asia. In areas of low sea-bottom relief (e.g., the continental shelves), the SEASAT-derived data can be treated qualitatively as low-pass-filtered Bouguer gravity field. It was determined that SEASAT-derived data can be especially useful in areas where shipborne coverage is either too sparse or unreliable. Analysis of structural trends made independently of anomaly amplitude proved successful and on par with the results achieved by the analysis of regional shipborne gravity data. SEASAT data reflect known structural features and indicate previously unknown trends. Gravity anomalies generated within the crust and upper mantle with wavelengths of 100 to 1000 km. are most easily resolved. Quantitative interpretation proved unreliable due to the frequency-dependent nature of the data collection and reduction procedures.