Magnetotelluric Imaging of the Zhangzhou Basin Geothermal Zone, Southeastern China

Chaofeng Wu, Xiangyun Hu, Guiling Wang, Yufei Xi, Wenjing Lin, Shuang Liu, Bo Yang and Jianchao Cai
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Chaofeng Wu: Hubei Subsurface Multi-Scale Imaging Key Laboratory, Institute of Geophysics and Geomatics, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
Xiangyun Hu: Hubei Subsurface Multi-Scale Imaging Key Laboratory, Institute of Geophysics and Geomatics, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
Guiling Wang: Hubei Subsurface Multi-Scale Imaging Key Laboratory, Institute of Geophysics and Geomatics, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
Yufei Xi: Institute of Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050061, China
Wenjing Lin: Institute of Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050061, China
Shuang Liu: Hubei Subsurface Multi-Scale Imaging Key Laboratory, Institute of Geophysics and Geomatics, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
Bo Yang: Hubei Subsurface Multi-Scale Imaging Key Laboratory, Institute of Geophysics and Geomatics, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
Jianchao Cai: Hubei Subsurface Multi-Scale Imaging Key Laboratory, Institute of Geophysics and Geomatics, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China

Energies, 2018, vol. 11, issue 8, 1-15

Abstract: The geothermal zone of southeast China, which is one of the country’s known geothermal zones, contains significant natural geothermal resources. To understand the formation of geothermal resources, a magnetotelluric (MT) investigation with a site spacing of 1–2 km was carried out around the Zhangzhou Basin. The recorded MT data were processed by robust time series and remote reference processing techniques. The data analysis results revealed that two-dimensional (2-D) modeling can be used to approximately determine the electrical structure. The joint inversions of TE and TM modes have been performed after distortion decomposition. In the inversion models, a low resistivity cap of 200–800 m thickness was observed, which represented the blanketing sediments composed of Quaternary and volcanic rocks of the late Jurassic period. The presence of high resistivity above a depth of 20 km indicates the granites are widely developed in the upper and middle crust. MT measurements have revealed some deep-seated high conductive zones, which were inferred to be partially melting at depth of 8–17 km, which is likely to be reason behind the formation of higher-temperature hot springs. The results also show that there is a shallower Moho, which indicates that the heat from the upper mantle may have a big contribution to the surface heat flow. Fractures-controlled meteoric fluid circulation is the most likely explanation for the hot springs.

Keywords: magnetotelluric; geothermal anomaly; high-conductive zone; Zhangzhou Basin (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: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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