Crustal structure of eastern Cuba, derived by constrained 3D gravity inversion

A three-dimensional crustal model for Eastern Cuba, obtained through a process' of gravity data inversion is presented. The study area cover a rectangular area of 64 600 km(2). The initial model for the inversion was constrained by surface geology, seismic and drilling data. The inversion algorithm uses gravity data to estimate 3-D topographies from main geological units. The model provides quantitative information on depths and thicknesses of the geological formations. The resulting model provides new information about the regional composition of the crust. Alien sequences are observed with different compositions and origin over the basement of Bahamas carbonate platform. Most of the maximum gravity anomalies is associated with presence of dense shallow ophiolite sheets. The most remarkable detail is the gravity "southwest" maximum, related to the presence of denser oceanic crust generated in the Cayman spreading center.