spring gravimeter

A gravimeter is a sensitive instrument used to measure minute variations in the Earth's gravitational field. These variations are crucial for prospecting for oil and minerals.1

The most common type of gravimeter features a weight suspended from a spring. Changes in gravity cause the spring to extend or contract, and these small deflections are measured using various mechanical or optical methods. Modern gravimeters are highly accurate, capable of detecting gravitational field differences as small as one part in 100,000,000. These instruments are essential in geophysical surveys, helping to identify anomalies caused by local density differences in the Earth's crust, such as those associated with salt domes or mineral deposits.12