Delineation of shallow structures in the vicinity of Ulu Slim hot spring using seismic refraction and MASW techniques

Abstract

ABSTRACT Ulu Slim hot spring possesses the highest surface temperature with a reported temperature of 104° C. Hence, the site may be suitable for electric power generation from the geothermal aquifer. In the present work, two seismic techniques are used for shallow structures investigation. The methods are the seismic refraction and the Multi-Channel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW). The delineation of superficial structures will aid in developing the area without affecting the geothermal system. The instrumentation used for both is similar to a large extent. The main differences are the natural frequencies of geophones used. MASW requires a low natural frequency geophone, whereas seismic refraction uses high-frequency ones. Both techniques are applied at five locations distributed in the 5 km x 5km area. The results obtained from both methods are also tending to confirm with each other. From all profiles, three layers are delineated in the vicinity of the hot spring. The top layer is impermeable clay with an average Vp of 500 m/s and Vs <200 m/s. Underneath this surface layer, the possible aquifer unit characterised by sand, with Vp in the range of 1000 to 2800 m/s and Vs between 200 m/s and 300 m/s. The final layer is the bedrock characterised by a Vp higher than 3700 m/s and Vs greater than 300 m/s. A particularly striking feature of the bedrock structure obtained from our results shows that the bedrock is relatively close to the surface of the vicinity of the hot spring, with a depth of about 5 m. These results confirm the conceptual model proposed for the Ulu Slim hot springs as of granitic origin. Moreover, a plot of the Poisson ratio indicated regions of high water saturation that may represent the hot water pathway to the surface.