Exploratory Mapping of the Geothermal Anomalies in the Neoproterozoic Arabian Shield, Saudi Arabia, Using Magnetic Data
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 i...
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MDPI AG
2023-05-01
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| Series: | Minerals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/13/5/694 |
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| author | Kamal Abdelrahman Stephen E. Ekwok Christian A. Ulem Ahmed M. Eldosouky Naif Al-Otaibi Bashar Y. Hazaea Saddam Ali Hazaea Peter Andráš Anthony E. Akpan |
| author_facet | Kamal Abdelrahman Stephen E. Ekwok Christian A. Ulem Ahmed M. Eldosouky Naif Al-Otaibi Bashar Y. Hazaea Saddam Ali Hazaea Peter Andráš Anthony E. Akpan |
| author_sort | Kamal Abdelrahman |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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/m<sup>2</sup>, 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/m<sup>2</sup>). 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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T03:27:41Z |
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| id | doaj.art-ba076b0735464259999195b12c79d15f |
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| issn | 2075-163X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T03:27:41Z |
| publishDate | 2023-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Minerals |
| spelling | doaj.art-ba076b0735464259999195b12c79d15f2023-11-18T02:37:15ZengMDPI AGMinerals2075-163X2023-05-0113569410.3390/min13050694Exploratory Mapping of the Geothermal Anomalies in the Neoproterozoic Arabian Shield, Saudi Arabia, Using Magnetic DataKamal Abdelrahman0Stephen E. Ekwok1Christian A. Ulem2Ahmed M. Eldosouky3Naif Al-Otaibi4Bashar Y. Hazaea5Saddam Ali Hazaea6Peter Andráš7Anthony E. Akpan8Department of Geology and Geophysics, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi ArabiaApplied Geophysics Programme, Department of Physics, University of Calabar, Calabar PMB 1115, Cross River State, NigeriaApplied Geophysics Programme, Department of Physics, University of Calabar, Calabar PMB 1115, Cross River State, NigeriaGeology Department, Faculty of Science, Suez University, Suez 43518, EgyptDepartment of Geology and Geophysics, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Geology and Geophysics, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Geology and Geophysics, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi ArabiaFaculty of Natural Sciences, Matej Bel University in Banska Bystrica, Tajovského 40, 974 01 Banska Bystrica, SlovakiaApplied Geophysics Programme, Department of Physics, University of Calabar, Calabar PMB 1115, Cross River State, NigeriaIn 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/m<sup>2</sup>, 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/m<sup>2</sup>). 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.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/13/5/694Curie point depthheat flowcentroid depthgeothermal gradientmagnetic methodspectral depth analysis |
| spellingShingle | Kamal Abdelrahman Stephen E. Ekwok Christian A. Ulem Ahmed M. Eldosouky Naif Al-Otaibi Bashar Y. Hazaea Saddam Ali Hazaea Peter Andráš Anthony E. Akpan Exploratory Mapping of the Geothermal Anomalies in the Neoproterozoic Arabian Shield, Saudi Arabia, Using Magnetic Data Minerals Curie point depth heat flow centroid depth geothermal gradient magnetic method spectral depth analysis |
| title | Exploratory Mapping of the Geothermal Anomalies in the Neoproterozoic Arabian Shield, Saudi Arabia, Using Magnetic Data |
| title_full | Exploratory Mapping of the Geothermal Anomalies in the Neoproterozoic Arabian Shield, Saudi Arabia, Using Magnetic Data |
| title_fullStr | Exploratory Mapping of the Geothermal Anomalies in the Neoproterozoic Arabian Shield, Saudi Arabia, Using Magnetic Data |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploratory Mapping of the Geothermal Anomalies in the Neoproterozoic Arabian Shield, Saudi Arabia, Using Magnetic Data |
| title_short | Exploratory Mapping of the Geothermal Anomalies in the Neoproterozoic Arabian Shield, Saudi Arabia, Using Magnetic Data |
| title_sort | exploratory mapping of the geothermal anomalies in the neoproterozoic arabian shield saudi arabia using magnetic data |
| topic | Curie point depth heat flow centroid depth geothermal gradient magnetic method spectral depth analysis |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/13/5/694 |
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