Ocean gravity data reflect the bathymetry and density distribution of the oceanic crust and mantle. Low gravity values are related to low densities (sediments), submarine canyons or trenches. High gravity values are related to high densities, seamounts and ocean ridges. Coincident measurements of gravity and water depth make it possible to remove the bathymetric contribution from the gravity signal by assuming that the crust has constant density. This isolates the non-bathymetric signal, indicating density variations below the seabed that can be used in estimating sediment thickness.

Gravity data were collected continuously during LOMROG III with the gravimeter installed on board Oden, supplemented by 77 gravity readings on the ice using a land gravimeter. Oden again provided an excellent platform for marine gravity measurements and the gravimetric data collected will be useful for the Continental Shelf Project and make an important new data contribution to the Arctic Gravity Project.