Electrical conductivity studies in the Travale geothermal field, Italy

Abstract

Magnetotelluric and geomagnetic depth soundings have been carried out in the area of the Travale high enthalpy geothermal field (central Tuscany, Italy) in 1980 and 1981 to study the distribution of electrical conductivity in the geothermal anomaly and the crust beneath. Within this project the possible contributions of electromagnetic investigations to geothermal research were to be tested and a geothermal model of the Travale area was to be developed. The time-varying electric and magnetic fields have been recorded in a broad period range from 6–10,000 s, mainly on two profiles, the one parallel, the other perpendicular to the Travale graben. Strong lateral variations of apparent resistivities have been observed. Up to periods of 50–100 s the Travale graben is the dominating 2-D structure, but for longer periods of investigation the three-dimensionality of electrical conductivity structures has to be considered. The apparent resistivities inside the geothermal anomaly are extremely low, reaching not more than 50 ohm · m, even in the lower crust, but they increase to 100–300 ohm · m north of the geothermal field. Total conductance also indicates the geothermal field as a local conductivity anomaly, whereas further to the north the poorly conducting “barrier” has been confirmed. The cause of the high conductivity structures inside the geothermal area is to be seen in a highly fractured basement within this zone, allowing upward movement of hydrothermal fluids.