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Glite Dictionary
gradiometer

gradiometer

1 9.9
A tool that measures how fields like gravity or magnetism change over distance
  • noun
  • /ˌɡrædiˈɑːmɪtər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : gradiometro
  • PHOTO (BLACK & WHITE): results from a magnetic gradiometer survey show buried walls of tombs, temples, and other structures.
  • magnetic gradiometer

Examples

  • Instead, Riggs used a flux gradiometer, a device that measures magnetic anomalies in the soil, such as those created by decayed or burned organic compounds.

    Academic text (2002)

  • MAP: A map of Kituwha mound and surrounding village areas created by a gradiometer, which measures magnetic anomalies in the soil.

    Academic text (2002)

  • MAP: Gradiometer Map Presumed Structures

    Academic text (2008)

  • His team typically uses a magnetic gradiometer to spot underground features, judging depth by digging small sounding trenches.

    Academic text (2006)

  • PHOTO (COLOR): The north and south walls of the rear room of the megaron building, as detected by gradiometer readings, top left; ground-penetrating radar, top right; and excavation.

    Academic text (2008)

  • For King's team, the best tool has proved to be a gradiometer, a device that detects minute differences in magnetic fields where soils have been disturbed by foundations, postholes, and pits, or when wood or other organic material has burned.

    Academic text (2008)

  • The geologist used a gradiometer to measure changes in the Earth's gravitational field during the survey.

  • Archaeologists employed a gradiometer to detect subtle variations in soil properties over the ancient burial site.

  • With the help of a gradiometer, the researchers mapped the magnetic field fluctuations across the landscape.

Synonyms

gravity meter
vsgradiometer
  • Specialized
7.5

A tool that measures how strongly the Earth pulls on things in different places

measures how any physical field changes over distance rather than only gravity
variometer
vsgradiometer
  • Specialized
9.9

An instrument that measures small changes in a magnetic field

measures spatial change across distance, not just unspecified variations
magnetograph
vsgradiometer
  • Specialized
9.9

A machine that records magnetic changes in Earth's magnetic field

measures change over distance rather than primarily recording data

Surface Forms

gradiometer singular
gradiometers plural

Morphology

gradiometer = gradient (semi-transparent) = gradient + meter

The meaning is mostly recoverable from 'gradient' plus '-meter', but the term is specialized and not fully obvious to average learners.

Etymology

Gradiometer comes from two simple parts: gradi-, from a Latin root meaning 'step' or 'slope' and found in words like grade and gradient, and -meter, like speedometer, meaning 'measure'. So a gradiometer is a tool that 'measures' how something (for example gravity or magnetism) 'changes' from one place to another.