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Formation of geothermal resources at lithospheric subduction zones
Author(s) -
Reeder John W.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
international journal of energy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.808
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1099-114X
pISSN - 0363-907X
DOI - 10.1002/er.4440090305
Subject(s) - geology , subduction , silicic , hydrothermal circulation , geochemistry , lithosphere , geothermal gradient , tectonics , volcano , earth science , crust , volcanic arc , island arc , pluton , oceanic crust , petrology , geophysics , seismology
This paper examines in a very broad fashion the formation of geothermal resources at lithospheric subduction zones. Regions of highly silicic calc‐alkaline Quaternary volcanoes and/or plutons have been identified as prime candidates for having high‐temperature hydrothermal systems. Regions of large tholeiitic Quaternary volcanoes have been identified as prime candidates for having large moderate‐temperature hydrothermal systems. In addition, active magmatic, phreatomagnetic, and/or tectonic fracturing must be occurring in order to keep any moderate to high temperature hydrothermal system from chemically sealing. Connate, meteoric and/or oceanic water sources must also be present. Owing to tectonic and magmatic processes, volcanic arcs of subduction zones represent regions of the crust that have anomalously high mechanical and heat energy. Such arc regions are expected to contain significantly more moderate to high temperature hydrothermal systems than what is presently known. Many of these arcs are briefly discussed with respect to their potential for containing such resources.