Bouguer correction factor

The Bouguer correction factor is used in gravimetric surveys to account for the gravitational pull of the rock material between the measurement point and sea level. When measuring gravity at a specific elevation, the observed value is affected by the mass of the Earth below that point. The Bouguer correction adjusts for the attraction of this intervening rock mass, assuming it forms an infinite slab of a certain density. This correction is crucial for accurately interpreting gravity anomalies that can indicate underground geological structures, mineral deposits, or oil traps.1

The value of the correction is calculated based on the height of the observation station and the density of the surrounding rock. This process helps geophysicists distinguish between gravity variations caused by topography and those that reveal subsurface density differences, which are key to understanding Earth's internal structure and locating resources.12