Integration of 3D geological modeling and gravity surveys for geothermal prospection in an Alpine region

Guglielmetti, Luca; Comina, Cesare; Abdelfettah, Yassine; Schill, Eva; Mandrone, Giuseppe

doi:10.1016/j.tecto.2013.07.012

Cited by 32 publications

(16 citation statements)

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“…The spatial distribution of knickpoints was intersected with lithological features, structures, inherited morphologies, and terraces. The structural features are the main faults reported in geological maps [34,35,59] and the shear zones and lineament sets are associated with fault rocks ( [30] and reference therein). The lithologies in the geological map [34] have been grouped on the basis of similar rock strength and hardness, assuming that they are similarly affected by erosion.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As in the former example, the lithologic contacts follow the direction of the main tectonic lineaments (110 N), while the northern tributaries of the Cant River flow from NNW to SSE crossing the contacts almost perpendicularly (Figure 8). In the southern side of the high-medium valley, the knickpoints are frequently located along the limestone formation, which offers a greater resistance to erosion with respect to the adjacent lithologies (Geology: redrawn and summarized after [35]; DEM for hillshade from [58,59].…”

Section: Knickpoints Related To Lithological Contrastsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Origin of Knickpoints in an Alpine Context Subject to Different Perturbing Factors, Stura Valley, Maritime Alps (North-Western Italy)

et al. 2018

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Natural catchments are likely to show the existence of knickpoints in their river networks. The origin and genesis of the knickpoints can be manifold, considering that the present morphology is the result of the interactions of different factors such as tectonic movements, quaternary glaciations, river captures, variable lithology, and base-level changes. We analyzed the longitudinal profiles of the river channels in the Stura di Demonte Valley (Maritime Alps) to identify the knickpoints of such an alpine setting and to characterize their origins. The distribution and the geometry of stream profiles were used to identify the possible causes of the changes in stream gradients and to define zones with genetically linked knickpoints. Knickpoints are key geomorphological features for reconstructing the evolution of fluvial dissected basins, when the different perturbing factors affecting the ideally graded fluvial system have been detected. This study shows that even in a regionally small area, perturbations of river profiles are caused by multiple factors. Thus, attributing (automatically)-extracted knickpoints solely to one factor, can potentially lead to incomplete interpretations of catchment evolution.Geosciences 2018, 8, 443 2 of 20 same drainage system, pointing out the complexity of this issue. Furthermore, a distinction should be made between knickpoints caused by regional factors and those determined by local perturbation agents. While the former usually inherit information on tectonic uplift or climatic changes, the latter may be related to local fluvial captures, lithological control, and landslides. The detection, dynamics, and influence of the knickpoints in landscape evolution have been investigated in recent studies [17][18][19][20][21], which emphasize that mono-causal knickpoints in river networks are generally well understood, but that in the majority of natural catchments multi-causal knickzone systems are possible.The aim of this study is to identify the prevailing processes active in generating knickpoints in such a natural, alpine basin, which is affected by tectonic uplift and Pleistocene glaciation and is sensitive to base-level changes at the transition between mountain front and foreland. We chose the Stura River basin (Figure 1) because its morphology was shaped by tectonics, Quaternary glacial phases, variable lithology, and base-level falls created by river captures. Insights into drainage system and related landforms were provided by recent geomorphological studies on different sectors of the Stura Valley [22][23][24][25][26], and of the Italian and French sides of the Argentera Massif [27][28][29][30][31][32][33]. However, a robust basin-scale analysis of the existence and distribution of knickpoints, together with studies on their genesis, is still lacking.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Knickpoints Related To Lithological Contrastsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Origin of Knickpoints in an Alpine Context Subject to Different Perturbing Factors, Stura Valley, Maritime Alps (North-Western Italy)

et al. 2018

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“…Moreover, 3D geological modeling is helpful to analyze the geothermal geological conditions and realize the visualization of geological structures, especially for regions in which complex geological settings are expected. Guglielmetti et al carried out the combined use of 3D geological modeling and gravity surveys for geothermal prospection in the western Alps, which could allow a better characterization of geological structures involved in geothermal fluid circulation [9]. Fuchs et al presented a 3D geothermal model and analyzed the deep basin temperature and heat-flow field in Denmark [10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integration of 3D Geological Modeling and Geothermal Field Analysis for the Evaluation of Geothermal Reserves in the Northwest of Beijing Plain, China

Zhu

Liu

et al. 2020

Water

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With the increasing demand for energy and the growing concern for atmospheric pollution in Beijing, China, the exploitation and utilization of geothermal resources are becoming more desirable. The study combined three-dimensional geological modeling with geothermal field analysis to make clear the potential and distribution of geothermal resources in the northwest of the Beijing plain, which could provide a scientific basis for rational utilization in the study area. Based on the analysis of the geological data and geothermal conditions, we created a 3D geological model of the study area, and then added isothermal surfaces into the model and analyzed the heat flow to enhance the understanding of the present geothermal field. After that, the volumes of different temperature intervals of heat reservoirs were calculated accurately and automatically by the integration of the model and the isothermal surfaces. Finally, the geothermal reserves were calculated by the improved volumetric method, and the distribution of resources was analyzed comprehensively. The results showed that, in the study area, the heat flow values ranged from 49 to 99 mW m−2, and the average elevations of 25 °C, 40 °C, and 60 °C isothermal surfaces were at −415 m, −1282 m, and −2613 m, respectively. The geothermal reserves were 5.42 × 1019 J and the volume of the heat reservoir was 4.88 × 1011 m3. The geothermal resources of the study area had good potential and could support local green development.

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“…; Guglielmetti ; Guglielmetti et al . ;). Whereas a well has been drilled, running borehole seismic surveys, such as vertical seismic profiling (VSP) in addition to well logs, are a common technique used to increase the resolution of the imaging of the reservoir and to calibrate seismic in depth.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Results of a walk‐above vertical seismic profiling survey acquired at the Thônex‐01 geothermal well (Switzerland) to delineate fractured carbonate formations for geothermal development

Guglielmetti

Poletto

Corubolo

et al. 2020

Geophysical Prospecting

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A B S T R A C TThis paper deals with the design, acquisition and processing of vertical seismic profiling data collected in 2016 at the directional Thônex-01 geothermal well, drilled in 1993 in the Geneva Canton (Switzerland). The aim of the study was to obtain additional information from existing-abandoned well for downhole geophysical characterization of potential geothermal reservoirs in the Geneva area. The main results obtained by this study allowed an improved subsurface image by multi-offset acquisitions near and around the deviated well. Specifically we were able to (1) improve the velocity model of the Geneva Basin, which, at present, is only constrained by one unique deep exploration well, located at the south-west of the basin, far away from the study area; (2) image the transition between the Tertiary Molasse siliciclastic sediments and the Mesozoic carbonates; (3) define an acquisition strategy for future vertical seismic profiling surveys in support of the geothermal exploration campaigns in the area. This study has demonstrated the value of vertical seismic profiling method for the refinement of the subsurface geology at local scale, and its usefulness to assist the planning of second well associated with geothermal doublets.

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Integration of 3D geological modeling and gravity surveys for geothermal prospection in an Alpine region

Cited by 32 publications

References 40 publications

Origin of Knickpoints in an Alpine Context Subject to Different Perturbing Factors, Stura Valley, Maritime Alps (North-Western Italy)

Origin of Knickpoints in an Alpine Context Subject to Different Perturbing Factors, Stura Valley, Maritime Alps (North-Western Italy)

Integration of 3D Geological Modeling and Geothermal Field Analysis for the Evaluation of Geothermal Reserves in the Northwest of Beijing Plain, China

Results of a walk‐above vertical seismic profiling survey acquired at the Thônex‐01 geothermal well (Switzerland) to delineate fractured carbonate formations for geothermal development

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