Exploratory Mapping of the Geothermal Anomalies in the Neoproterozoic Arabian Shield, Saudi Arabia, Using Magnetic Data

Abstract

In this paper, certain areas of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) are assessed in order to map potential geothermal energy zones. To evaluate high-resolution aerial magnetic data, spectral depth analysis using a modified centroid approach was used. The calculated geothermal parameters were gridded in order to delineate the regions characterised by a shallow Curie point depth (CPD) and a high geothermal gradient (GG) as well as a high heat flow (HF). The CPD, GG and HF calculated from the analysed data varied in the ranges of 6.0–15.0 km, 40.0–100.0 °C/km and 90.0–270.0 mW/m2, respectively. The obtained results show the concurrence of the positions of shallow CPD (<8.0 km), high GG (>83.5 °C/km) and high HF (>211.0 mW/m2). The geothermal systems that are oriented in the E–W direction are related to the Red Sea tectonics, the tectonic opening of the Red Sea/Gulf of the Suez Rift, hot subterranean anomalies and high enthalpy from radioactive granites. Likewise, the geologic structures (fractures and faults) related to the Red Sea tectonics serve as channels for the movement of hydrothermal fluids and the deposition of associated minerals. All in all, another geophysical study involving deep boreholes, and seismic, magnetotelluric, electromagnetic and geochemical data should be conducted to evaluate and estimate precisely the economic reserves of geothermal resources.

Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) of High-Quality Magnetic Data of the Obudu Basement Complex, Nigeria

“…High-resolution magnetic data analysis has been applied extensively to mineral and ore explorations worldwide [1][2][3]. Additionally, it can be used in the investigation of hydrocarbon [4], engineering surveys [5,6], detection of UXO [2], mapping of geothermal anomalies [7,8], archaeological investigations [9], and delineation of subsurface hydrological structures [3,5]. Moreover, almost all magnetic data analysis procedures are performed believing that the subsurface features are simple geometrical structures, such as thin sheets, horizontal cylinders, spheres, and faults (caused by diverse ore and mineral-bearing bodies, as well as structural hydrocarbon traps), which are buried at various depths [5,10].…”