Abstract
Palu-Koro fault is a major fault in western neck of Sulawesi Island. It is shown by Mw 7. 5 struck the area in 2018. Its trace can be observed by the appearance of surface ruptures. We recorded their geographic coordinates and observed the geological conditions of the surface such as structures form, properties of rocks, and physical properties of local hot springs. Then we conducted a qualitative interpretation by integrating field observation data on several References related regional geological structure of the area. From the results of the review, we suspect that there is a very close relationship between the activities of the geological structure and the appearance of several hot springs in the neck region of western Sulawesi. This is evidenced by the presence of 7 points of manifestation with the same pattern as the direction of orientation of the main fault, which is relatively north-south. However, one of requirements of the manifestation appearance on the surface is the existence of the fractures as up flow channels of geothermal fluids. Heat source is interpreted to come from intrusive igneous rocks as hot rocks conducting heat to the aquifer which heats the hydrological system around the area. We conclude that geothermal manifestations in the western neck of Sulawesi Island are tectonic geothermal related to the geological structures and not to the volcanic activity.
Highlights
Geothermal energy extracted from subsurface is known as geothermal energy [1]
The tectonic order of this region is known as a triple junction area, which is the meeting place of three large plates, i.e., the Indo-Australian plate, the Eurasian plate, and the Pacific plate, and is influenced by two other small plates, i.e., the Philippine plate and the Caroline plate [14-18, 23-29]. The implication of this condition is that the geological processes that work in this area are very complex, e.g., the unique shape of Sulawesi Island such as the letter "K" and many large-scale geological structures can be found in the form of faults, trenches, troughs, and thrusts, which are around Sulawesi Island, Nusa Tenggara and Molucca sea [19]
The results show that rupture of Palu-Koro fault length > 150 km starting from the Palu Valley to the western neck of Sulawesi Island
Summary
Geothermal energy extracted from subsurface is known as geothermal energy [1]. The energy is one of clean energy resources which is more important as hydrocarbon alternative [2]. Before developing and exploiting geothermal energy, exploration activities need to be carried out first to assess geothermal potential which exists in an area. The initial stages of geothermal exploration are carried out using geological, geophysical, and geochemical investigation methods around the potential area indicated by geothermal manifestation presence [1-6]. According to Soengkono [7], an important aspect of the geothermal exploration is by knowing the geological structures such as fault and joint zones. There is a close relationship between fault existence and the geothermal manifestation appearance such as hot springs on the surface
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