MEMS Gravimeters for Geophysics

Abstract

By measuring tiny variations in the local gravity field, gravimeters can detect underground density anomalies that would be difficult to see by other means. This capability can result in high impact, real-world applications in volcano monitoring, aquifer monitoring, faults mapping, tunnel and voids detection, CO2 sequestration, and energy and mineral exploration. However, the high cost of gold standard commercial gravimeters (e.g., a Scintrex CG-6 can cost over US $100k), their large size, significant power requirements, delicate handling needs (where large shocks or power-downs can cause instabilities or require repairs), and long delivery times (due to bespoke manufacturing, manual assembly, and tuning) have limited their widespread adoption. These short-comings have also restricted the deployment of gravimeters in hazardous locations (like on a volcano or underwater) and prevented low-cost large-scale surveys, array-based continuous monitoring, and drone-based gravimetry.