Papers Published

1. Onacha, Stephen and Kahn, Dan and Malin, Peter and Shalev, Eylon, Resistivity and microearthquake imaging of krafla geothermal field, NE Iceland, Transactions - Geothermal Resources Council, vol. 29 (2005), pp. 497 - 502 .
   (last updated on 2007/04/09)

   Abstract:
   The main objective of this study is to contribute to the continued development of Joint Geophysical Imaging (JGI) methods for the combined use of seismic and electrical resistivity measurements to guide the drilling of high-production geothermal wells. For competitive production of geothermal power, it is essential to develop well-targeting techniques that maximize production with minimum drilling. This paper presents the preliminary results of developing joint geophysical imaging methods map that couple seismic, magnetotelluric (MT), and other geophysical measurements such as Transient Electromagnetics (TEM). The results show a good correlation between resistivity, location of microearthquakes postulated volcanic activities, fluid flow, and structural anisotropy. Analysis of the resistivity data shows high anisotropy close to the boundaries of low and high resistivity anomalies which are also associated with the location of microearthquakes. Preliminary data indicates that most of the earthquakes occur at the boundary between a deeper low zone resistivity (interpreted as a heat source) and a shallow high resistivity zone.

   Keywords:
   Earthquakes;Geothermal fields;Geothermal wells;Geothermal energy;Flow of fluids;Anisotropy;Volcanoes;Well drilling;