Abstract
In this paper we build a subsurface model that helps in visualizing and understanding the structural framework, geology and their interactions with the Mt. Amiata geothermal system. Modelling in 3D provides the possibility to interpolate the geometry of structures and is an effective way of understanding geological features. The 3D modelling approach appears to be crucial for further progress in the reconstruction of the assessment of the geothermal model of Mt. Amiata. Furthermore, this model is used as the basis of a 3D numerical thermo-fluid-dynamic model of the existing reservoir(s). The integration between borehole data and numerical modelling results allows reconstructing the temperature distribution in the subsoil of the Mt. Amiata area.
Highlights
Amiata is the largest Tuscan volcano, consisting of dacitic, rhyodacitic and minor olivine-latitic lavas that erupted in a period ranging from 300 to 190 ka [1,2]
Volcanics cover an area of about 90 km2 (Figure 1) lying on “Tuscan” units, Oligocene-Mesozoic Ligurian units, Palaeogene Subligurian units and Neogene sediments [3,4,5,6,7,8]
Gravity data reported in the Bouger anomaly map were elaborated through 2.5 D numerical modelling and implemented in geodatabase to constrain geometries and thickness of subsoil formations, including deep intrusive low-density bodies and thickness of Neogene sedimentary basin
Summary
The deeper reservoir (below 2500–3000 m of depth) is hosted in thermometamorphic fractured phyllites and metasandstones of the Tuscan Metamorphic Complex, modified by thermometamorphic processes [16] These belong to the termometamorphic aureole of the recent silicic intrusion. The fluid in this reservoir is a two-phase too [3,10] This represents the main reservoir industrially exploited at present [13] with a total power production of 88 MWe. Below the deeper reservoir, reflection seismic profiles reveal the occurrence of a geopressurized system evidenced by discontinuous “bright spot”-type reflections, named K-horizon [17,18,19,20,21], at depth between 4 and 7 km. Present at about 6 km of depth, represents the heat source of the hydrothermal system described above
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
