| Title | Modeling a fractured geothermal reservoir using 3-D AMT data inversion: insights from Garibaldi Volcanic Belt, BC, Canada |
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| Author | Hormozzade Ghalati, F; Craven, J A; Motazedian, D; Grasby, S E ; Tschirhart, V |
| Source | Geothermics vol. 105, 102528, 2022., https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geothermics.2022.102528 |
| Image |  |
| Year | 2022 |
| Alt Series | Natural Resources Canada, Contribution Series 20220136 |
| Publisher | Elsevier |
| Document | serial |
| Lang. | English |
| Media | paper; digital; on-line |
| File format | pdf |
| Province | British Columbia |
| NTS | 92J/05; 92J/06; 92J/11; 92J/12 |
| Area | Mount Meager |
| Lat/Long WENS | -123.7500 -123.2500 51.7500 50.2500 |
| Subjects | general geology; magnetotelluric surveys; magnetotelluric field; magnetotelluric interpretations; resistivity; geothermal research; alteration; hydrothermal alteration; modelling; Garibaldi Volcanic
Belt |
| Illustrations | location maps; phase diagrams; plots; graphs; plans |
| Program | Energy Geoscience
Geothermal Energy |
| Released | 2022 08 08 |
| Abstract | An audio-magnetotelluric (AMT) survey was conducted to explore for shallow geothermal resources in the Garibaldi Volcanic Belt, the location of which has the highest geothermal potential in Canada. The
data cover the south Meager geothermal system, including Pylon Peak and Meager Creek which have proven borehole temperatures exceeding 250 ?C. A dimensionality analysis of the AMT data suggests complex 3-D subsurface structure. The 3-D resistivity
model of the area shows two high conductivity features near surface in the areas south of Pylon Peak and north of Meager Creek, both of which are related to hydrothermal alteration. These layers act as the caprock and connect close to the surface.
The conductive zones reach surface near the locations of warm springs along Meager Creek. Clay cap layers are interpreted to consist mainly of smectite, illite and rare kaolinite with the resistivities below 15 ?m in our model. The caprock overlays
fractured quartz diorite permeated by hot water. This hot fluid reservoir is related to a higher resistivity feature coinciding with high temperature zones at a depth of approximately 1 km below sea level. This model illustrates possible conduits
through which the hydrothermal fluids were transported to thermal springs at the surface. This research shows that integrating the AMT model, geology, and temperature data is crucial to build a conceptual model of the Mount Meager geothermal system
to support targeted drilling by industry. |
| Summary | (Plain Language Summary, not published)
Finding renewable energy resources to meet government goals of net-zero emissions by 2050 is one of the greatest challenges we face. Geothermal provides
local energy resources (heat and electricity). However, subsurface geothermal resources can be difficult to identify, and most geothermal exploration techniques that have been developed focus on regions with unique geology (e.g. Iceland). Existing
resource exploration techniques are not easily adapted to high topography settings above active plate subduction zones, such as western Canada. This paper presents a high resolution study of a potential geothermal reservoir at Mount Meager, BC. This
study improve our understanding of the subsurface of complex reservoirs such as found on Canada's west coast by mapping high porosity zones beneath clay caps that form barriers to fluid flow that and thereby helps reduce risk in the exploitation of
this untapped resource. |
| GEOSCAN ID | 330269 |
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