Airborne Gravimetry, Methods, Applications and Systems

Airborne gravimetry is the most efficient technique to provide accurate high-resolution gravity data in regions that lack good data coverage and that are difficult to access otherwise. With current airborne gravimetry systems, gravity can be obtained at a spatial resolution of 2 km with an accuracy of 1-2 mGal. It is therefore an ideal technique to complement ongoing satellite gravity missions and establish the basis for many applications of regional gravity field modeling. This paper presents the history, basic concept and applications of airborne gravimetry. Moreover some commercial airborne gravimeters with their specifications are described.