The Marsili Volcanic Seamount (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea): A Potential Offshore Geothermal Resource

Francesco Italiano, Angelo De Santis, Paolo Favali, Mario Luigi Rainone, Sergio Rusi and Patrizio Signanini
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Francesco Italiano: Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia-via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy
Angelo De Santis: Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia-via di Vigna Murata, 605, 00143 Roma, Italy
Paolo Favali: Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia-via di Vigna Murata, 605, 00143 Roma, Italy
Mario Luigi Rainone: Dipartimento di Ingegneria e Geologia-Università "G. d'Annunzio", 66100 Chieti, Italy
Sergio Rusi: Dipartimento di Ingegneria e Geologia-Università "G. d'Annunzio", 66100 Chieti, Italy
Patrizio Signanini: Dipartimento di Ingegneria e Geologia-Università "G. d'Annunzio", 66100 Chieti, Italy

Energies, 2014, vol. 7, issue 7, 1-19

Abstract: Italy has a strong geothermal potential for power generation, although, at present, the only two geothermal fields being exploited are Larderello-Travale/Radicondoli and Mt. Amiata in the Tyrrhenian pre-Apennine volcanic district of Southern Tuscany. A new target for geothermal exploration and exploitation in Italy is represented by the Southern Tyrrhenian submarine volcanic district, a geologically young basin (Upper Pliocene-Pleistocene) characterised by tectonic extension where many seamounts have developed. Heat-flow data from that area show significant anomalies comparable to those of onshore geothermal fields. Fractured basaltic rocks facilitate seawater infiltration and circulation of hot water chemically altered by rock/water interactions, as shown by the widespread presence of hydrothermal deposits. The persistence of active hydrothermal activity is consistently shown by many different sources of evidence, including: heat-flow data, gravity and magnetic anomalies, widespread presence of hydrothermal-derived gases (CO 2 , CO, CH 4 ), 3 He/ 4 He isotopic ratios, as well as broadband OBS/H seismological information, which demonstrates persistence of volcano-tectonic events and High Frequency Tremor (HFT). The Marsili and Tyrrhenian seamounts are thus an important—and likely long-lasting-renewable energy resource. This raises the possibility of future development of the world’s first offshore geothermal power plant.

Keywords: geothermal energy exploration; Italy; Marsili; volcanic seamount; offshore (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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