Gravity results from the continental margin of south-western Africa

Gravity, magnetic and bathymetric data were collected over the continental margin of south-western Africa by H.M.S. Hecla in 1966. A study of the gravity measurements shows that the positive free-air anomalies of the continental edge effect are unusually large, and in excess of those calculated for an isostatic model of the Earth's crust. Taking into account the available seismic and magnetic evidence, a two-dimensional crustal model has been designed incorporating a body of relatively high density in the upper crust to account for the unusually large values.