Evaluation of a potential supercritical geothermal system in the Kuju region, central Kyushu, Japan. (January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kitamura, Keigo; Fujii, Yuki; Inagaki, Haruhiro; Aizawa, Koki; Ishibashi, Jun-ichiro; Saito, Hiroki; Fujimitsu, Yasuhiro
• Is Part Of: Geothermics. Volume 107(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-01
• Subjects: Supercritical geothermal systems -- Kuju region -- Resistivity structure -- Temperature structure -- Isotopic investigation for geothermal fluid; 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.2022.102602
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0375-6505

Abstract

Highlights: Candidate supercritical geothermal system identified in the Kuju region. Potential magmatic heat source identified beneath the Hatchobaru geothermal plant and Kuju volcanoes. Effects of a deep magmatic intrusion on the shallower geothermal system. Abstract: We derived the thermal structure of the Kuju region of volcanic activity in central Kyushu, Japan, to assess the potential existence of a supercritical geothermal system. Extrapolation of existing well-logging data suggests the presence of a high-temperature region beneath the area between the Hatchobaru geothermal power plant and Kuju-Iwoyama Volcano, which closely overlaps a low-resistivity body estimated from magnetotelluric data. Based on estimated temperatures exceeding 380 °C at the relatively shallow depth of -3.3 km above sea level, and considering evidence for magmatic fluid transport, this high-temperature region is a potential target for a supercritical geothermal reservoir.