2D continuous wavelet transform of potential fields due to extended source distributions (Q970379)

A wavelet transform modulus maxima (WTMM) method based on intersections of lines joining maxima (WTMMLs) is used to approximate the depth of a potential field source. It is also suggested that using wavelets of different {\textit{orders}} might help in gaining resolution in defining source features. The vector \(Wf(a,x)=a^{-2} \int \pmb\psi^\ast \bigl({b-x\over a}\bigr) f(b)\, db\), where \(\pmb\psi\) has values in \(\mathbb{R}^2\) and \(f\in L^2(\mathbb{R}^2)\), is called the two-dimensional continuous wavelet transform (CWT2D). Given a potential function \(\phi\), one can write \(Wf(a,x)=a\nabla (\phi_a \ast f)(x)\) where \(\phi_a=\phi(x/a,y/a)/a^2\). The WTMM are the maxima of \(|Wf(a,x)|\) computed at each scale \(a>0\). One also considers higher order derivatives \(\partial^{(q)}\phi/\partial x_i^q\), \(i=1,2\) as component wavelets. Use of higher derivatives provides more vanishing moments. Visually, a point source in a potential field results in a cone in the 3-dimensional wavelet transform (scalogram) domain. In earlier work [DEXP: A fast method to determine the depth and the structural index of potential fields sources Geophysics 72, I1 (2007); \url{doi:10.1190/1.2399452}], \textit{M. Fedi} proposed a {\textit{depth from extreme points}} (DEXP) transformation which produces a scale law corresponding to the homogeneity degree of the field. DEXP is used here in conjunction with WTMML to estimate sources. The problem considered is to identify an appropriate order \(q\) for wavelets \(\pmb\psi\) derived from a Poisson (harmonic) potential in order to detect at least two WTMMLs converging in the scalogram. If two WTMMLs lie in a single plane, then further analysis can be carried out by restricting to this plane. One also seeks a range of scales over which the two WTMMLs are approximated by two straight lines. For illustration, an example of a simulated gravity anomaly produced by a prismatic body under different configurations of the body is considered and compared to the anomaly produced by a pair of similar sources, leading to the conclusion that the CWT enables estimation of source boundaries. Next, the methods are used to study WTMM produced by the gravity anomaly map of the Vesuvius area in southern Italy. The authors conclude that the method yields a meaningful estimation of the depth of the carbonate basement buried beneath the series of younger volcanoclastic/marine sediments.