A full interpretation applying a metaheuristic particle swarm for gravity data of an active mud diapir, SW Taiwan

An interpretation for the gravity anomalies is essential to visualize the horizontal and vertical extension of the subsurface intrusion like mud diapirs resembling dike-like geologic bodies. Therefore, the use of simplegeometrical resembling models helps to validate the subsurface targets. A particle optimization algorithm is one of the recently established metaheuristic algorithms, which is utilized in various geophysical applications and allows discovering and explaining the parameters of the buried geologic targets. Here, we have interpreted gravity response profiles for mud diapir, which close an expected two-dimensional (2D) inclined dikes by calculating the following parameters; amplitude coefficient (A), depths to top (h) and bottom (H), width (2b), inclination angle (theta), origin (d), and length of the body (L) that represents the difference between two depths using the particle optimization algorithm. The stability and efficacy of this study were checked on numerical examples without noise and with numerous levels of random noise (10% and 20%). Also, it tested on a gravity response for mud diapir from the south-western (SW) Taiwan and validated by seismic interpretation. The obtained results declared that the suggested algorithm works well even in the existence of noises. Furthermore, the results of the real case model are found in a respectable agreement with available geological and borehole information and other results from the published literature.

Automated summary

Interpreting gravity anomalies plays a crucial role in understanding the underground geological structures. In this study, a particle optimization algorithm was used to interpret gravity response profiles for mud diapirs. The algorithm was tested and validated with numerical examples and a real case study from Taiwan. The results showed the effectiveness and stability of the algorithm, even in the presence of noise. The interpretation results were consistent with available geological and borehole information and previous studies.