Geothermal Prospectivity Mapping

Geothermal energy is heat derived from within the earth. It is a clean, renewable resource because the heat is continuously produced inside the Earth's core by the slow decay of radioactive particles. This immense heat can be harnessed to generate electricity, heat and cool buildings, and for various direct-use applications.

Geothermal Energy Prospecting and Mapping involves identifying and characterizing areas where heat from the Earth’s interior can be harnessed for energy production. This process combines geological, geophysical and remote sensing methods to locate subsurface heat sources, permeable reservoirs, and fluid pathways. The ultimate goal is to de-risk projects by pinpointing the most promising locations for drilling, which is the most expensive part of development.

Several parameters which need to be considered for an optimum occurrence of geothermal resources are shallow Curie point depths, high-temperature gradients, high heat production, low regional gravity anomalies, the presence of structural lineaments, hot or warm spring locations, as well as the outcropping of younger volcanic or granitic rocks, among many others. The faulted/fractured structural pattern enhances the permeability of rocks. It enables the easy transportation of hot fluids from the Earth’s interior to the surface. Hot/warm springs indicate the occurrence of geothermal energy resources within the subsurface. Additionally, the occurrence of volcanic rocks serve as cap rocks in some known geothermal locations. The low gravity anomaly indicates the localization of volcanoes that appeared within the Earth’s sub-surface. Furthermore, the shallow CPDs and the high-temperature gradients show the high possibility of geothermal resources