Modelling of terrain-induced advective flow in Tibet: Implications for assessment of crustal heat flow

In steep terrain the effect of advective flow can be significant, as it can distort the temperature field in the upper brittle crust. The effect was studied by modeling advective flow across a large valley system in Tibet which is associated with several geothermal hot spring systems, the Yanbajing Valley. It was found that, in this setting, all near-surface temperature gradients are significantly disturbed, attaining values differing by up to half an order of magnitude from those resulting from conductive heat transfer. Allowing for advective effects, it was found that the crustal heat flux within the Himalayan Geothermal Belt lies within the range of 60 to 90 mW/m{sup 2} in the Lhasa-Yanbajing area

Application of magnetic method to assess the extent of high temperature geothermal reservoirs

The extent of thermally altered rocks in high temperature geothermal reservoirs hosted by young volcanic rocks can be assessed from magnetic surveys. Magnetic anomalies associated with many geothermal field in New Zealand and Indonesia can be interpreted in terms of thick (up to 1 km) demagnetized reservoir rocks. Demagnetization of these rocks has been confirmed by core studies and is caused by hydrothermal alteration produced from fluid/rock interactions. Models of the demagnetized Wairakei (NZ) and Kamojang (Indonesia) reservoirs are presented which include the productive areas. Magnetic surveys give fast and economical investigations of high temperature prospects if measurements are made from the air. The magnetic interpretation models can provide important constraints for reservoir models. Magnetic ground surveys can also be used to assess the extent of concealed near surface alteration which can be used in site selection of engineering structures

The Ngatamariki Geothermal Field, NZ: Surface Manifestations - Past and Present

The Ngatamariki geothermal field, located 7 km south of Orakeikorako, discharges dilute chloride-bicarbonate waters of almost neutral pH from springs mostly on the margins of the field. Rhyolite tuffs in the northwestern part of the field are weakly silicified, probably due to their having reacted with heated groundwaters. Sinter deposits are common at Ngatamariki but are mostly relict from former activity. In 1994, the natural heat loss from the field was 30 {+-} 5 MW{sub thermal}. There has been a shift of thermal activity southward over the past 60 years; the changes were recognized by comparing air photographs taken in 1941 and 1991. In 1948, a hydrothermal eruption deposited breccia around its crater, which is now occupied by a pool at 52.5 C. Another pool at 88 C, first noticed in 1993, deposits a mixture of silica and calcite