**9. Conclusion**

In this chapter, the use of the second vertical derivative is described as one of the efficient methods used for enhancing weaker local anomalies, defining the edges of geologically anomalous density distributions, and identification of geologic units. Satellite gravity data of a particular place in Nigeria were acquired from Bureau Gravimetrique International (BGI). The data that had already undergone Bouguer correction were used to plot the Bouguer map of the study area, which shows that the place is a semidentary basin because negative gravity anomalies are observed throughout the area. The second vertical derivative map was then plotted to emphasize local anomalies and isolate them from the local background, which can be seen in **Figure 3**. The map has shown areas that have lower and higher anomalies of deeper sources. Boundaries of the anomalies are also observed. On the second vertical derivative maps, the "polarity" of the anomaly can still be identified, that is, the low density in the Central part relative to its surroundings*.* The second vertical derivative method in this study shows that it is useful in enhancing weaker local anomalies, defining the edges of geologically anomalous density distributions, and identification of geologic units. Boundaries are better delineated by the second

*The Principle of Interpretation of Gravity Data Using Second Vertical Derivative Method DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.100443*

vertical derivative method with oscillations between the minimum and maximum (extremum) values through each density contrast transition (**Figure 3**). It is important to note that the second vertical derivative method is justified only on data that has high accuracy [10].
