Structural profile of the northwestern Caribbean

A seismic reflection and gravity profile across the continental margin of the Yucatan Peninsula, Yucatan Basin, Cayman Ridge, and Cayman Trough suggests that sediments in the Yucatan Basin consist of a thick succession of beds dominated by turbidites that overlie a thick but irregular sequence of beds, probably dominated by pelagic deposits. The so-called “Carib beds”, present elsewhere in the Caribbean, are not evident in the part of the basin crossed by this profile. The sedimentary section rests on a acoustic basement that probably represents the top of oceanic layer 2. A gravity model indicates that the crust beneath the Yucatan Basin is thin and therefore probably is oceanic in character. The crust thickens southward under the Cayman Ridge but thins again beneath the Cayman Trough. This local thickening is consistent with the suggestion that the Cayman Ridge is a rifted part of the Nicaraguan Rise.     

Study of the Santa Catarina aquifer system (Mexico Basin) using magnetotelluric soundings

A tensor magnetotelluric test survey was carried out in the region of Santa Catarina, located in the Chalco sub-basin of the Mexico Basin. The objective was to define the stratification at depth with an emphasis on the geometry of the main aquifer of that region which is partially known from DC resistivity soundings and drilling. High-quality magnetotelluric soundings could be recorded in the immediate vicinity of large urban zones because the sub-surface is very conductive. Interpretation shows that the solid bedrock is located at a depth of at least 800 m to the south and 1300 m to the north; it could, however, be much deeper. Using complementary DC resistivity sounding and well-logging data, three main layers have been defined overlying the bedrock. These layers are, from surface to bottom, an unsaturated zone of sand, volcanic ash and clay about 10 m thick, followed by a very conductive (1.5 ohm·m) 200 m thick layer of sand and ash with intercalated clay, saturated with highly mineralized water, and finally a zone with resistivity increasing gradually to 60 ohm·m. The investigated deep aquifer constitutes most of this third layer. It consists of a sequence of sand, gravel, pyroclastites and mainly fractured basalts. MT resistivity soundings and magnetic transfer functions also indicate that a shallow resistive structure is dipping, from the northwest, into the lacustrine deposits of the basin. This geologic feature is likely to be highly permeable fractured basaltic flows, which provide a channel by which water contaminated by the Santa Catarina landfill may leak into the basin.     

APPLICATION OF REFRACTION SEISMICS TO SUBSALT TECTONIC PROBLEMS IN A DEEP SALTDOME BASIN*

Despite the use of CDP and digital methods the Zechstein base is still the deepest horizon in the vast salt-dome basin of Central Europe for which continuous information can be obtained by reflection seismics. Thus in North-western Germany, in addition to reflection seismics, the refraction seismic method has been increasingly used for a reliable survey of deeper horizons. The first part of the paper deals with the investigation of the various possibilities and limitations of refraction seismics with regard to the investigation of Pre-Zechstein layers in a basin with a tectonically very complicated overburden. The recording techniques specially developed for continuous profiling of the desired refraction seismic arrivals and the data processing methods are described. The main problems of interpretation are then discussed, in particular with regard to depth representation. The advantages and disadvantages of the various methods, e.g. Gardner's, Hales' and Wyrobek's, and of the wave-front method, are compared. On account of the tectonically complicated overburden Thornburgh's wave-front method proved to be the most useful. In a further section the various possibilities for velocity determinations are mentioned, e.g. Wyrobek's determination of the overburden velocity, for which the wave-front method automatically furnishes the necessary corrections to a deep datum. Finally, some examples are given for the results obtained, including some incidental information on the deeper crust.     

Gravity-geoelectric joint inversion over the Potiguar rift basin, NE Brazil

A joint inversion of gravity and geoelectrical data has been performed along a 100 km long profile across the oil-bearing Potiguar rift basin in NE Brazil. The integrated approach is based on the connection between density and resistivity of a sedimentary sequence through the porosity. Seventy-one gravity stations and twenty-nine vertical electrical soundings were carried out across the central part of the Early Cretaceous basin in the Precambrian Borborema Province to apply the proposed joint inversion. Both the physical properties and geometry of the multilayer deep model were well constrained by a wide set of prior information obtained by surface mapping, geophysical logs and seismic sections. The results reveal a rift architecture formed by a 5000 m thick half-graben structure separated by an intervening basement high and an extensive adjacent platform with a sedimentary infill of about 300 m thick. The calculated model shows geometries for the sedimentary density/resistivity interfaces in agreement with the seismostratigraphic sequences revealed by seismic section, representing a substantial improvement in comparison with previously published gravity models.     

Electrical imaging of Narmada–Son Lineament Zone,Central India from magnetotellurics

The Narmada–Son Lineament (NSL) Zone is the second most important tectonic feature after Himalayas, in the Indian geology. Magnetotelluric (MT) studies were carried out in the NSL zone along a 130 km long NNE-SSW trending profile. The area of investigation extends from Edlabad (20°46′16″; 75°59′05″) in the South to Khandwa (21°53′51″; 76°18′05″) in the North. The data shows in general the validity of a two-dimensional (2D) approach. Besides providing details on the shallow crustal section, the 2D modeling results resolved four high conductive zones extending from the middle to deep crust, spatially coinciding with the major structural features in the area namely the Gavligarh, Tapti, Barwani-Sukta and Narmada South faults. The model for the shallow section has brought out a moderately resistive layer (30–150 Ω m) representing the exposed Deccan trap layer, overlying a conductive layer (10–30 Ω m) inferred to be the subtrappean Gondwana sediments, the latter resting on a high resistive basement/upper crust. The Deccan trap thickness varies from around a few hundred meters to as much as 1.5 km along the traverse. A subtrappean sedimentary basin like feature is delineated in the northern half of the traverse where a sudden thickening of subtrappean sediments amounting to as much as 2 km is noticed. The high resistive upper crust is relatively thick towards the southern end and tends to become thinner towards the middle and northern part of the traverse. The lower crustal segment is conductive over a major part of the profile. Considering the generally enhanced heat flow values in the NSL region, coupled with characteristic gravity highs and enhanced seismic velocities coinciding with the mid to lower crustal conductors delineated from MT, presence of zones of high density mafic bodies/intrusives with fluids, presumably associated with magmatic underplating of the crust in the zone of major tectonic faults in NSL region are inferred.     

Shallow and Deep Structure of a Supradetachment Basin Based on Geological,Conventional Deep Seismic Reflection Sections and Gravity Data in the Buyuk Menderes Graben,Western Anatolia

The Buyuk Menderes Graben is a depression in the Menderes core complex of western Turkey. The region is one of the most rapidly deforming regions of continental crust in the world and has exceptionally high seismic activity. In this study, shallow and deep seismic studies were conducted at the Buyuk Menderes graben. These studies included surface geological mapping and two seismic reflection sections. Detailed modelling was performed with the seismic study. In addition to these, a moving windows power spectrum was applied to the Bouguer gravity profile data of the study area. Since no deep well is available in this area, the geological interpretation of the seismic stratigraphy is based on the correlation with the surface geology, this was combined with the major reflections and the seismic facies observed along the profiles, and, thus, four main seismic units can be distinguished in the basin fill. Structural features of the basin is driven by a complex extensional faults system, consisting of a low-angle, S-dipping Buyuk Menderes detachment and by its synthetic and antithetic splays, bordering the opposite flanks of the basin. As a result of conventional deep seismic reflection sections and gravity data, three layers were defined in the study area. The first layer occurs at a thickness of 6 km, and the second layer is between 13 and 18 km. The third layer is at ~33 km and may also emphasize Moho depth. The Buyuk Menderes graben has three clear reflectors which are base sediments, brittle-ductile transition, Moho and faults that show a half-graben floored by a detachment. The Moho depth is comparable with previous estimates. According to the results obtained, Bouguer gravity and seismic results are very much consistent with each other. It was observed that at the depths determined from seismic and gravity data, the distribution percentage of earthquake focal depths also rises.     

A magnetotelluric profile of the Wind River Thrust, Wyoming

Data from ten magnetotelluric (MT) stations over the Wind River Uplift and adjacent basins are interpreted with constraints from the Consortium for Continental Reflection Profiling (COCORP) seismic reflection data and from gravity data. The MT data reveal the general configuration of the conductive basins and resistive uplifts; low resistivity zones are interpreted as faults which correspond to those visible in the COCORP sections.

The Wind River Thrust Fault is modelled as a conductive zone that can be traced to a depth of at least 20 km, and the crust beneath the Green River Basin is about 40 km thick.

The modelled constant dip of the Wind River Thrust is consistent with a tectonic model of lateral compressive stress.     

Parabolic density function in sedimentary basin modelling

For modelling sedimentary basins of large thickness from their gravity anomalies, the concept of parabolic density function which explains the variation of true density contrast of the sediments with depth in such basins is introduced inBott's (1960) procedure. The analytical expression the gravity anomaly of a two-dimensional vertical prism with parabolic density contrast needed to estimate the gravity effect of the basin in modelling procedure is derived in a closed form. Two profiles of gravity anomalies, one across San Jacinto Graben, California and the other across Tucson basin, Arizona where the density of sediments is found to vary with depth are interpreted.     

Three-dimensional structure of the Laguna Salada Basin and its thermal regime

A comprehensive reinterpretation of the available gravity, magnetic, geothermal, geological and borehole information has been made of the Laguna Salada Basin to establish a 3D model of the basement and sedimentary infill. According to statistical spectral analysis, the residual gravity anomaly is due to sources with a mean regional depth of 2.8 km. The topography of the basement was obtained from a three‐dimensional inversion carried out in the wavenumber domain using an iterative scheme. The maximum density contrast of ?300 kg/m³ estimated from previous studies and the mean depth of 2.5 km finally constrained this inversion. The resulting model indicated that the sedimentary infill is up to 4.2 km thick at its deepest point. According to the gravity‐derived basement topography, the basin presents an asymmetry (i.e. it is of the half‐graben type). It is deeper to the east, where it is delimited from the Sierra Cucapah by a step fault. By contrast, the limit with the Sierra de Juarez is a gently sloping fault (i.e. a listric fault). The basement is not even, but it comprises a series of structural highs and lows. N–S to NW–SE and E–W to NE–SW faults delimit these structural units. The magnetic modelling was constrained by (i) the gravity‐derived basement topography; (ii) a Curie isotherm assumed to be between 7 km and 10 km; (iii) assuming induced magnetization only; (iv) the available geological and borehole information. The magnetic anomalies were interpreted successfully using the gravity‐derived basement/sedimentary interface as the top of the magnetic bodies (i.e. the magnetic modelling supports the gravity basement topography). An elongated N–S to NW–SE trending highly magnetized body running from south to north along the basin is observed to the west of the basin. This magnetic anomaly has no gravity signature. Such a feature can be interpreted as an intrusive body emplaced along a fault running through the Laguna Salada Basin. Treatment of the gravity and magnetic information (and of their horizontal gradients) with satellite image processing techniques highlighted lineaments on the basement gravity topography correlating with mapped faults. Based on all this information, we derived detailed geological models along four selected profiles to simulate numerically the heat and fluid flow in the basin. We used a finite‐difference scheme to solve the coupled Darcy and Fourier differential equations. According to our results, we have fluid flow in the sedimentary layers and a redistribution of heat flow from the basin axis toward its rims (Sierra de Juárez and Sierra Cucapah). Our model temperatures agree within an error of 4% with the observed temperature profiles measured at boreholes. Our heat‐flow determinations agree within an error of ±15% with extrapolated observations. The numerical and chemical analyses support the hypothesis of fluid circulation between the clay–lutite layer and the fractured granitic basement. Thermal modelling shows low heat‐flow values along the Laguna Salada Basin. Deep fluid circulation patterns were observed that redistribute such flow at depth. Two patterns were distinguished. One displays the heat flow increasing from the basin axis towards its borders (temperature increase of 20°C). The second pattern shows an increasing heat flow from south to north of the basin. Such behaviour is confirmed by the temperature measurements in the thermometric boreholes.     

Seismic characterization of an abandoned mine site

The near-surface rock structure that covers an abandoned marl mine nearby the village of Montevecchia (Italy) was investigated through a combination of seismic surveys. The methods selected for these investigations were refraction seismics and multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW). A sort of transillumination experiment was also attempted. All the methods were successful and gave complementary information. Refraction seismics was used to characterize the upper low velocity layer and the second layer of the near-surface structure. The MASW method was necessary to assess the existence of a velocity inversion revealing the presence of a low velocity layer between the 2nd layer and a 4th high velocity layer covering the upper mine gallery. The transillumination experiment validated the presence of the 4th layer and gave an estimate of the average velocity that represents a lower boundary for the P-wave velocity within this layer. Both the refraction and transillumination data were analysed to derive average estimates of attenuation level and rock quality factor.     

大地电磁资料精细处理和二维反演解释技术研究(七)——云南盈江——龙陵地震区深部电性结构及孕震环境

本文对一条布设在滇西盈江—龙陵地区的大地电磁剖面(苏典—中山剖面)数据进行了精细处理和二维反演解释,得到了测区较高置信度的二维电性结构.该电性模型纵向上表现为高阻-低阻-高阻的"三明治"式岩石圈电性结构,上地壳为平均厚度约为10km的高阻地层,在约6～16km地壳深度范围发育有电阻率为几欧姆米的显著高导层,下地壳底部和上地幔顶部表现为电性较为均匀的相对高阻层.横向上自西向东划分出以大盈江断裂带、龙陵—瑞丽断裂带为限的3个主要构造区域.壳内分布的高导层沿剖面表现出一定的横向不均匀性,其在龙陵—瑞丽断裂带下方消失,在该处形成了腾冲地块和保山地块的电性构造边界.电性结构表明,大盈江断裂附近高导层顶界面浅,两侧高阻体厚度小,因此难以形成较大规模的相互作用,致其附近浅震源、小震级的地震活跃;龙陵—瑞丽断裂两侧的高阻体较厚,易积累较大的应力,具有大震的深部孕震环境,故其附近发生过多次7级以上强震.     

Structure of the Barents Sea from seismic refraction

The Barents Sea is underlain by a thick (up to 5 km) sedimentary basin. Seismic refraction has outlined four main velocity discontinuities which have been correlated with geological units on the basis of the geological history of the region. The basin is underlain by a crystalline basement, the nature of which cannot be determined on the basis of seismic velocity alone. Metamorphosed Paleozoic units (velocities around 5–4 km/sec) lie over this basement. Their thickness is not well established but appears to reach 1 or 2 km in some cases. A very distinct and thick (up to 2.5 km) layer (4.1 km/sec) is found almost everywhere and is thought to correspond to a major discontinuity at the end ot the Paleozoic. This discontinuity is followed by a variable velocity layer (2.4–4 km/sec, up to 1.2 km thick) which includes Mesozoic and Cenozoic sediments and is limited to the south of the Barents Sea. The absence of thick Tertiary deposits support the idea that the Barents shelf was emergent at that time. Recent low-velocity sediments are found close to the shelf edge.Gravity anomaly trends reflect a series of depressions of the 5.4-km/sec layer isobath map and suggest that the deeper part of the basin is made of a succession of faulted blocks or intense folds.     

南海重力异常的沉积层密度改正及其对区域构造特征分析的意义

南海位于太平洋板块、印澳板块和欧亚板块交汇处,自晚中生代以来历经张裂作用、海底扩张以及印藏碰撞、菲律宾海板块西向运动等构造事件的叠加改造,不仅形成了复杂多样的构造格局,而且堆积了厚薄不均的沉积层.为了考察沉积层密度改正对利用重力资料分析南海不同尺度构造特征的影响,本文利用南海各区域不同深度沉积层的地震波速度及钻孔密度等数据,建立了沉积层与沉积基底密度差随深度变化的二次函数关系式,并基于该关系式,计算了南海沉积层相对基底密度低而产生的重力异常值.结果显示,南海沉积层的重力异常值在海盆区介于-40~-60 mGal,而在堆积巨厚沉积物的莺歌海盆地可达到-135 mGal;相对于空间重力异常、布格重力异常,经沉积层重力异常改正后的地壳布格重力异常更能突出深部不同尺度的密度结构和莫霍面的起伏特征,其总水平导数模更突显了南海西北部红河断裂带的海上延伸;利用谱分析技术估算岩石圈强度时,经沉积层重力异常改正的地壳布格重力异常数据获得的岩石圈有效弹性厚度值更为符合地质实际,特别是在长条形的巨厚沉积区如莺歌海盆地和马来盆地.分析表明,重力异常的沉积层密度改正对揭示南海构造特征具有重要的意义.     

Electrical imaging of lateritic weathering mantles over granitic and metamorphic basement of eastern Senegal, West Africa

The electrical properties of several tens of metres of lateritic weathering mantle were investigated by using electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) in two basement areas of eastern Senegal. The field survey was conducted along two profiles providing continuous coverage. Colour-modulated pseudosections of apparent resistivity vs. pseudo-depth were plotted for all survey lines, giving an approximate image of the subsurface structure. In the area underlain by granitic basement, the pseudosection suggests a very inhomogeneous weathered layer in which the apparent resistivity changes more rapidly than thickness. In the second area, underlain by schists, the lateral changes in electrical properties are less pronounced than those of the granitic area. Interpretation of 2D Wenner resistivity data yielded considerable detail about the regolith, even without pit information. In both areas, the near-surface topsoil comprising undersaturated lateritic material is highly resistive. The intermediate layer with low resistivities (e.g., 20–100 Ωm) contains clays including small quantities of water. The third, highly resistive layer reflects the granitic basement. Comparison of ERT survey results with pit information shows general agreement and suggests that ERT can be used as a fast and efficient exploration tool to map the thick lateritic weathering mantle in tropical basement areas with hard rock geology.     

佳木斯地块与松嫩地块俯冲碰撞的深反射地震剖面证据

佳木斯地块和松嫩地块是东北地区两个十分重要的地质构造单元,由于二者之间发育一套含有蓝片岩的俯冲增生杂岩-黑龙江杂岩(原称黑龙江群),其地质构造意义长期为人们所关注.巴彦—桦南深反射地震剖面揭示,佳木斯地块与松嫩地块之间存在明显向西俯冲的深反射信息,以壳内和幔内向西倾伏的楔状反射区为特征.壳内楔状反射区东与浅表层出露的黑龙江杂岩相连,向西倾伏延深至莫霍面,是俯冲增生杂岩在地壳深部的反映;幔内楔状反射区东起小兴安岭之下的莫霍面,向西倾伏延深至松辽盆地东缘,尖灭深度约78km,与多种方法得出的该区现今的岩石圈厚度(75~80km)基本一致.这一证据充分说明佳木斯地块的岩石圈地幔向西俯冲到松嫩地块岩石圈地幔之下.     

Image processing of 2D resistivity data for imaging faults

A methodology to locate automatically limits or boundaries between different geological bodies in 2D electrical tomography is proposed, using a crest line extraction process in gradient images. This method is applied on several synthetic models and on field data set acquired on three experimental sites during the European project PALEOSIS where trenches were dug. The results presented in this work are valid for electrical tomographies data collected with a Wenner-alpha array and computed with an l₁ norm (blocky inversion) as optimization method. For the synthetic cases, three geometric contexts are modelled: a vertical and a dipping fault juxtaposing two different geological formations and a step-like structure. A superficial layer can cover each geological structure. In these three situations, the method locates the synthetic faults and layer boundaries, and determines fault displacement but with several limitations. The estimated fault positions correlate exactly with the synthetic ones if a conductive (or no superficial) layer overlies the studied structure. When a resistive layer with a thickness of 6 m covers the model, faults are positioned with a maximum error of 1 m. Moreover, when a resistive and/or a thick top layer is present, the resolution significantly decreases for the fault displacement estimation (error up to 150%). The tests with the synthetic models for surveys using the Wenner-alpha array indicate that the proposed methodology is best suited to vertical and horizontal contacts. Application of the methodology to real data sets shows that a lateral resistivity contrast of 1:5–1:10 leads to exact faults location. A fault contact with a resistivity contrast of 1:0.75 and overlaid by a resistive layer with a thickness of 1 m gives an error location ranging from 1 to 3 m. Moreover, no result is obtained for a contact with very low contrasts (1:0.85) overlaid by a resistive soil. The method shows poor results when vertical gradients are greater than horizontal ones. This kind of image processing technique should be systematically used for improving the objectiveness of tomography interpretation when looking for limits between geological objects.     

南海北部珠江口—琼东南盆地地壳速度结构与几何分层

基于南海北部大陆边缘珠江口—琼东南盆地深水区实施的14条近垂直深反射地震探测叠加速度谱,利用Dix公式将叠加速度剖面转换为地壳层速度剖面,并利用时深转换方法构建了深度域地壳层速度模型,综合各地壳速度剖面分析了南海北部大陆边缘珠江口与琼东南盆地不同深度层次的P波速度变化趋势以及地壳几何分层特征.结果表明,琼东南盆地区可分为4～8 km沉积层（V_P为1.7～4.7 km/s）、4～10 km厚的上地壳层（V_P为5.2～6.3 km/s）、5 km〗左右的下地壳层（V_P为6.4～7.0 km/s）以及2～6 km厚的高速下地壳底层（V_P＞7.0 km/s）.V_P＞7.0 km/s下地壳高速层的存在被认为是岩石圈伸展、下地壳底部底辟构造或者是残存的原始华夏下地壳基性层的地震学指示;综合研究区地球物理探测成果构建了跨越华南大陆与南海北部陆坡区剖面莫霍和岩石圈底界图像,揭示出岩石圈上地幔在华南大陆与南海北部大陆边缘的减薄特征.     

Image processing of 2D resistivity data for imaging faults

A methodology to locate automatically limits or boundaries between different geological bodies in 2D electrical tomography is proposed, using a crest line extraction process in gradient images. This method is applied on several synthetic models and on field data set acquired on three experimental sites during the European project PALEOSIS where trenches were dug. The results presented in this work are valid for electrical tomographies data collected with a Wenner-alpha array and computed with an l₁ norm (blocky inversion) as optimization method. For the synthetic cases, three geometric contexts are modelled: a vertical and a dipping fault juxtaposing two different geological formations and a step-like structure. A superficial layer can cover each geological structure. In these three situations, the method locates the synthetic faults and layer boundaries, and determines fault displacement but with several limitations. The estimated fault positions correlate exactly with the synthetic ones if a conductive (or no superficial) layer overlies the studied structure. When a resistive layer with a thickness of 6 m covers the model, faults are positioned with a maximum error of 1 m. Moreover, when a resistive and/or a thick top layer is present, the resolution significantly decreases for the fault displacement estimation (error up to 150%). The tests with the synthetic models for surveys using the Wenner-alpha array indicate that the proposed methodology is best suited to vertical and horizontal contacts. Application of the methodology to real data sets shows that a lateral resistivity contrast of 1:5–1:10 leads to exact faults location. A fault contact with a resistivity contrast of 1:0.75 and overlaid by a resistive layer with a thickness of 1 m gives an error location ranging from 1 to 3 m. Moreover, no result is obtained for a contact with very low contrasts (∼1:0.85) overlaid by a resistive soil. The method shows poor results when vertical gradients are greater than horizontal ones. This kind of image processing technique should be systematically used for improving the objectiveness of tomography interpretation when looking for limits between geological objects.     

Structural controls on the 1998 volcanic unrest at Iwate volcano: Relationship between a shallow, electrically resistive body and the possible ascent route of magmatic fluid

Magnetotelluric (MT) measurements were conducted at Iwate volcano, across the entirety of the mountain, in 1997, 1999, 2003, 2006, and 2007. The survey line was 18 km in length and oriented E–W, comprising 38 measurements sites. Following 2D inversion, we obtained the resistivity structure to a depth of 4 km. The surface resistive layer (~ several hundreds of meters thick) is underlain by extensive highly conductive zones. Based on drilling data, the bottom of the highly conductive zone is interpreted to represent the 200 °C isotherm, below which (i.e., at higher temperatures) conductive clay minerals (smectite) are rare. The high conductivity is therefore mainly attributed to the presence of hydrothermally altered clay. The focus of this study is a resistive body beneath the Onigajo (West-Iwate) caldera at depths of 0.5–3 km. This body appears to have impeded magmatic fluid ascent during the 1998 volcanic unrest, as inferred from geodetic data. Both tectonic and low-frequency earthquakes are sparsely distributed throughout this resistive body. We interpret this resistive body as a zone of old, solidified intrusive magma with temperatures in excess of 200 °C. Given that a similar relationship between a resistive body and subsurface volcanic activity has been suggested for Asama volcano, structural controls on subsurface magmatic fluid movement may be a common phenomenon at shallow levels beneath volcanoes.     

Derived gravity field of the seismogenic upper crust of SE Germany and West Bohemia and its comparison with seismicity

The gravity field of the seismogenic upper crust was derived from the Bouguer gravity map by applying the Butterworth high-pass filter in the wave-number domain. The cutoff wavelength of the filter was 110 km, to pass the gravity signals of structures within the 18 km thick seismogenic layer. The derived residual gravity map reveals potential stress concentrating structures, which may cause seismicity provided they lie within the existing zones of weakness. Furthermore we derived a shaded relief map of the horizontal gravity gradient, which highlighted the tectonic lines accompanied by density contrast. The directional analysis of this map shows three dominant strike directions. The most prominent one is “the Hercynian” NW-SE strike direction represented by the Franconian Line, the Gera-Jáchymov Fault Zone and the Elbe Zone. The second dominant strike is the Rhenisch NNE-SSW trending represented by the Upper Rhine Graben Zone, Rheinsberg-Heldburg Line and several Proterozoic volcanic belts in the Teplá-Barrandien Unit. The third pronounced trending of the ENE-WSW direction is represented by the Erzgebirge and Eger Graben gravity low. The N-S trending Rostock-Leipzig-Regensburg Zone (Pritzwalk-Naab Lineament) is not distinctly reflected in the derived gravity maps, although many fault segments have a meridian direction. The relative reactivation potential of some pre-existing fault systems identified in the gravity map was studied with respect to the wide range of the recent stress configuration determined in the West Bohemia/Vogtland region. The resulting diagrams show that the steep NNW-SSE to N-S faults (represented by some segments of the Mariánské Lázně Fault Zone) are oriented favourably for reactivation. On the contrary, the orientation of the ENE-WSW faults limiting the Eger Graben (Litoměřice Fault, etc.) is unfavourable for reactivation for all dip values.