Magnetotelluric survey and three-dimensional resistivity structure in and around the Niseko area, southwestern Hokkaido. (November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tamura, Makoto; Oka, Daisuke; Okazaki, Noritoshi; Suzuki, Koichi; Hashimoto, Takeshi; Mogi, Toru
• Is Part Of: Geothermics. Volume 105(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-11
• Subjects: Supercritical geothermal fluids -- Niseko volcanic group -- Magnetotelluric observation -- Resistivity structure -- Sub-vertical conductor; Hydrogeology -- Periodicals; Geothermal resources -- Periodicals; Énergie géothermique -- Périodiques; GEOTHERMAL ENGINEERING; GEOTHERMAL ENERGY; GEOTHERMAL EXPLORATION; Geothermal resources; Hydrogeology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 621.44
• DOI: 10.1016/j.geothermics.2022.102496
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0375-6505

Abstract

Highlights: Three-dimensional resistivity structure of the Niseko area is estimated from magnetotelluric survey data. A dominant sub-vertical conductor was found beneath the central part of the Niseko volcanic group. The supercritical geothermal fluids possibly exist below an altitude of about -3 km inside and/or edge of the conductor. Abstract: Supercritical geothermal systems (SGS) have the potential to drastically increase geothermal power generation. The New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO, Japan) has recently started to research and develop supercritical geothermal power generation. Our team conducted a field survey and data collection at three areas in Japan, to characterize the SGS and evaluate the potential for supercritical geothermal power generation. Here, we present a three-dimensional resistivity structure by observing 112 magnetotelluric and 4 telluric sites in and around the Niseko area, southwestern Hokkaido. The final resistivity structure showed a dominant sub-vertical conductor beneath the central part of the Niseko volcanic group. We inferred that the supercritical geothermal fluids possibly exist below an altitude of about -3 km inside or edge of the conductor.