Geophysical exploration for geothermal resources: An application of MT and CSAMT in Jiangxia, Wuhan, China

Abstract

We present a case study of applying MT (magnetotellurics) and CSAMT (controlled source audio-frequency magnetotellurics) for geophysical exploration in Jiangxia (江夏), which is located in new industrial developing suburb, where artificial noises are severe. In order to know deep buried structure, fracture status, and characteristics of underground geothermal development about 2 km, we acquired MT and CSAMT data to image subsurface structure through inversion and joint interpretation. The electrical terms of the 2D MT inversion can be divided into three ranges of resistivity values: (1) a highly resistive (>350 Ω·m) layer mainly characteristic of limestone, dolomitic limestone, leuttrite, silicarenite, and packsand; (2) an intermediate resistivity (250–350 Ω·m) layer mainly constituted by siliceous shale, siltstone, battie, and ampelitic limestone; and (3) a low resistivity (20–250 Ω·m) layer, from surface to −100 m, which is related to lacustrine alluvium of Quaternary period; the deep low resistivity layer is interpreted to be representative of the geothermal field. The result of the 2D CSAMT inversion reveals two layers of different electrical resistivities: (1) the first resistive layer (20–250 Ω·m), which is related to lacustrine alluvium of Quaternary period and the heat source, and (2) the second resistive layer (250–3 000 Ω·m). The heat source appears to be bounded within the middle of exploration area and shows the N-S trend. Its depth ranges from more than 1.2 to less than 0.7 km, and its resistivity values range from 20 to 250 Ω·m in the northeast part of Jiangxia. Comparing the results of MT and CSAMT method, the positive anomalies are similar and can be assumed to be generated by the same source.