Lithologic and Structural Interpretation of Gravity Data, Northeastern Iowa

A gravity survey was conducted over approximately 4600 square km of northeast Iowa. It was undertaken to provide detailed gravity coverage at approximately 1.6 km intervals and to model the source of several significant gravity and magnetic anomalies. 1,460 gravity stations were occupied in the survey area. Bouguer gravity and residual gravity anomaly maps were prepared, the latter using band-pass filter and trend-surface analysis techniques. The residual maps reveal that the large oval Bouguer gravity anomaly centered beneath Decorah can be traced to the southern border of the survey. Profiles crossing this feature were prepared from the Bouguer map and a total intensity magnetic anomaly map. These profiles, combined with drill hole information, support the interpretation of a mafic (troctolite) intrusive extending over 90 km from the northwest corner of Winneshiek County to near the southern boundary of Fayette County. The western portion is dominated by a shallow elastic basin while the eastern portion appears to be dominantly felsic in nature. The gravity interpretation did not provide conclusive evidence for faulting near Decorah although faulting cannot be ruled out