Compartmentalization of the Coso East Flank geothermal field imaged by 3-D full-tensor MT inversion
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Abstract
Previous magnetotelluric (MT) studies of the high-temperature Coso geothermal system in California identified a subvertical feature of low resistivity (2–5 Ohm m) and appreciable lateral extent (>1 km) in the producing zone of the East Flank field. However, these models could not reproduce gross 3-D effects in the recorded data. We perform 3-D full-tensor inversion and retrieve a resistivity model that out-performs previous 2-D and 3-D off-diagonal models in terms of its fit to the complete 3-D MT data set as well as the degree of modelling bias. Inclusion of secondary Zxx and Zyy data components leads to a robust east-dip (60†) to the previously identified conductive East Flank reservoir feature, which correlates strongly with recently mapped surface faults, downhole well temperatures, 3-D seismic reflection data, and local microseismicity. We perform synthetic forward modelling to test the best-fit dip of this conductor using the response at a nearby MT station. We interpret the dipping conductor as a fractured and fluidized compartment, which is structurally controlled by an unmapped blind East Flank fault zone.
Suggested Citation
Lindsey, N.J., Kaven, J., Davatzes, N.C., and Newman, G.A., 2017, Compartmentalization of the Coso East Flank geothermal field imaged by 3-D full-tensor MT inversion: Geophysical Journal International, v. 208, no. 2, p. 652-662, https://doi.org/10.1093/gji/ggw408.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Compartmentalization of the Coso East Flank geothermal field imaged by 3-D full-tensor MT inversion |
| Series title | Geophysical Journal International |
| DOI | 10.1093/gji/ggw408 |
| Volume | 208 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Publication Date | November 05, 2016 |
| Year Published | 2017 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Oxford Academic |
| Contributing office(s) | Earthquake Science Center |
| Description | 11 p. |
| First page | 652 |
| Last page | 662 |
| Country | United States |
| Other Geospatial | Coso Range |