How is geophysics applied for geothermal exploration?
Geophysical methods play an important role in geothermal exploration as many exploration objectives can be achieved by employing these methods. Most geothermal exploration is done in shallow systems for low temperature geothermal resources; however, deep surveys, such as magnetotelluric (MT) surveys, are growing in application. Deep in this context refers to over 300 metres to 2000 metres. Geophysical surveys are directed at obtaining the physical parameters of deep geological formations, either indirectly from the surface or from depth intervals close to the surface. These physical parameters include: • Temperature (thermal survey) • Electrical conductivity (electrical & electromagnetic methods, including MT) • Propagation velocity of elastic waves (seismic survey) • Density (gravity survey) • Magnetic susceptibility (magnetic survey) Since electric and electromagnetic surveys are more sensitive to the presence of geothermal fluids than other survey types, they can aid in providing in
