Geothermal Resource Mapping in Northern Botswana Inferred from Three-Dimensional Magnetotelluric Inversion

A set of magnetotelluric (MT) data collected from 28 stations at the Kasane Hot Spring in northern Botswana was used to derive a 3-D model of the electrical resistivity distribution around deep geologic structures that we associated with geothermal resources. The dimensionality analysis results reve...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Calistus Ramotoroko, Anneke Thiede, Andreas Junge, Elisha Shemang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-10-01
Series:Applied Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/20/11236
Description
Summary:A set of magnetotelluric (MT) data collected from 28 stations at the Kasane Hot Spring in northern Botswana was used to derive a 3-D model of the electrical resistivity distribution around deep geologic structures that we associated with geothermal resources. The dimensionality analysis results revealed that 3-D modeling should be used to determine the electrical structure. The resistivity models revealed a conductive layer with an average thickness of 200 m, representing the overlying sediments of the Proterozoic volcanic rocks. The thick high-resistivity zone (>100 Ωm) below the conductive layer can be associated with Mesoproterozoic bedrock. The MT measurements in this area show a tube-shaped conductive anomaly that could serve as a fluid pathway feeding the hot spring. A fracture-controlled meteoric fluid circulation presumably determines the existence of the Kasane Hot Spring system.
ISSN:2076-3417