3D density structure and isostatic state of the Eastern Alps

Gravity Research Group

3D density structure and isostatic state of the Eastern Alps

	Introduction	Geologic map of the Eastern Alps (after Bertelsen et al., 1992)
	Database
	3D density structure
	Isostatic investigations
	References
	Presentations and Publications
	Links and Contact

Introduction:

The Eastern Alps are part of a continent-continent collision zone and probably not in isostatic equilibrium. Investigating the lithospheric depth range that causes the observed anomalies (gravity, geoid, gradients) is therefore of special interest. 3-D modelling of the geometrical structure, the elastic plate thickness, the rigidity and the density distribution of crust and upper mantle beneath the Eastern Alps is the main task of this project using results and findings of other geoscientific methods as constraints.

Topography of the Eastern Alps. The figure shows the study. The black line shows the location of the seismic profile TRANSALP, which leads from Freising in Bavaria to Treviso in Italy. The length of the profile is approximately 340 km.

Existing seismic and geological investigations still controversially discuss whether this part is in isostatic equilibrium or not, and in which depths compensation can be assumed. The analysis of the gravity field and 3D modelling should contribute to answer this questions.