3-D Cross-Gradient Joint Inversion Method for Gravity and Magnetic Data with Unstructured Grids Based on Second-Order Taylor Formula: Its Application to the Southern Greater Khingan Range

The cross-gradient joint inversion of gravity and magnetic data is a commonly used way, which requires dividing the subsurface into closely arranged cells with structured or unstructured grids to solve the physical properties of the discrete subsurface. Unstructured grids can more effectively fit undulating terrain and irregular geological bodies than structured grids. However, the existing cross-gradient joint inversion method with structured grids cannot be used to complete the inversion with unstructured grids. We proved that the second-order Taylor formula is more suitable for calculating the cross-gradients of unstructured grids; therefore, we first proposed and implemented the second-order Taylor formula cross-gradient (2-TCG) method for the cross-gradient joint inversion of gravity and magnetic data with unstructured grids, which can calculate the cross-gradient item more easily than other ways because the first few coefficients of Taylor formula are gradient items. The model tests showed that the 2-TCG joint inversion method can accurately achieve the 3-D joint inversion of gravity and magnetic data with unstructured grids, and this method can better describe the detailed information of irregular geological bodies in complex terrain. To explore the minerals and analyze the metallogenic model in the Huanggang–Ganzhuermiao metallogenic belt of the southern Greater Khingan Range, Inner Mongolia, we measured gravity and magnetic data on a scale of 1:10000. We estimated the mineral distributions with 150–280 m depth by 2-TCG joint inversion. We analyzed the relationship between ore bodies and faults, and we established a mixed metallogenic model of the skarns and hydrothermal veins in the survey area.