Crustal thickness estimation and interpretation in Greenland from space gravity data.

Abstract

<p>Uses of recent gravity data, from Gravity Recovery And Climate Experiment (GRACE) and Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer (GOCE) satellites, are an effective solution to obtain stable data over Greenland. Here, we used the GOCO06s and EGM2008 gravity models, as well as topography and ice thickness data from BedMachine v4, to reverse the complete Bouguer anomaly and obtain the thickness of the Greenlandic crust. Our results indicate an average thickness ranging between 45 and 47 ±4.5 km, with thin zones of 40 to 44 ±4.5 km and thick structures varying from 48 ±4.5 km up to 57 ±4.5 km. Our results are consistent with other studies albeit locally different on the coasts. A geological interpretation of our results has been completed and infer the presence of the Archean craton, the Paleoproterozoic domain, the Caledonian and Ellesmerian orogens, as well as another structure that could correspond to Paleo-Neoproterozoic basins.</p>