| Abstract: | An underground gravity study was carried out under extreme conditions of the Alpine regions. The lead–zinc mine Bleiberg, Carinthia, was selected as an example to show the possibilities and limitations of the subsurface gravity method. For in situ density determinations, gravity measurements were made in two vertical mine shafts passing through Triassic sedimentary rocks of the Bleiberg Unit. The main prblem in gravity data reduction in extremely rugged topography is the accurate calculation of the terrain effect on underground stations. A general discussion of the various corrections required for the gravity measurements in the mine is presented. The mean interval densities in the two shafts, in limestone, dolomite, and schists formations, were determined as 2.76 and 2.77 g/cm3, respectively, with an accuracy of better than 0.01 g/cm3 for a depth interval of 50 m. The interval densities provide valuable information about the lithological and structural changes in the shaft surroundings and also agree well with the representative hand sample densities. In the second part, the applications of subsurface horizontal gravity surveys in exploration are discussed. Since the influence of topography is less underground because of the greater distance to the surface, subsurface surveys have definite advantages over surface surveys and can be very helpful in locating anomalous density zones in the mines. An example of gravity survey with a station spacing of 10 m at a depth of about 540 m is presented. |
