Open AccessRay‐Born Modelling of Fracture‐Zone Reflections In the Larderello Geothermal Field
Author(s) -
Gibson Richard L.,
Batini Fausto,
Toksöuz M. Nafi
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
geophysical journal international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.302
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1365-246X
pISSN - 0956-540X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-246x.1993.tb01468.x
Subject(s) - geology , geothermal gradient , seismology , reflection (computer programming) , fracture (geology) , geothermal energy , geothermal exploration , geophysics , paleontology , computer science , programming language
Summary Examination of several reflection events in VSP data collected at the Larderello geothermal field revealed a group of compressional wave reflections originating from geological features several kilometers in depth. Early study of these arrivals, including comparisons with other well observations and regional seismic‐reflection surveys, suggested that the waves were reflected by a set of three fracture zones distributed over a depth range of about 0.200 km. We used the ray‐Born method to test this hypothesis by developing a model based on regional geologic and seismic knowledge. This model of the fracture zones accounts for the amplitudes and traveltimes of the observed data. Analysis of the Fresnel zones affecting reflections from the fracture zones allows a delineation of regions of more intense fracturing, which is important for the development of the geothermal resources.