A simple method to simultaneously determine the shape (shape factor or stru
ctural index) and the depth of a buried structure from second horizontal de
rivative anomalies obtained from gravity data using filters of successive w
indow lengths has been developed. The method is similar to Euler deconvolut
ion, but it solves for shape and depth independently. For a fixed window le
ngth, the depth is determined using the least-squares method for each shape
factor. The computed depths are plotted against the shape factors represen
ting a continuous window curve. The solution for the shape and depth of the
buried structure is read at the common intersection of window curves. The
method involves using simple models convolved with the same numerical horiz
ontal second derivative filter as applied to observed gravity data. As a re
sult, the method can be applied not only to true residuals but also to meas
ured Bouguer data of a short profile length. Finally, the validity of the m
ethod is tested on theoretical examples with and without random errors and
field data from Senegal, west Africa. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Limited. Al
l rights reserved.