Hydrogeochemistry of the Simav geothermal field, western Anatolia, Turkey

Thermal waters hosted by Menderes metamorphic rocks emerge along fault lineaments in the Simav geothermal area. Thermal springs and drilled wells are located in the Eynal, Çitgöl and Na a locations, which are part of the Simav geothermal field. Studies were carried out to obtain the main chemical and physical characteristics of thermal waters. These waters are used for heating of residences and greenhouses and for balneological purposes. Bottom temperatures of the drilled wells reach 163°C with total dissolved solids around 2225 mg/kg. Surface temperatures of thermal springs vary between 51°C and 90°C. All the thermal waters belong to Na–HCO₃–SO₄ facies. The cold groundwaters are Ca–Mg–HCO₃ type. Dissolution of host rock and ion-exchange reactions in the reservoir of the geothermal system shift the Ca–Mg–HCO₃ type cold groundwaters to the Na–HCO₃–SO₄ type thermal waters. Thermal waters are oversaturated at discharge temperatures for aragonite, calcite, quartz, chalcedony, magnesite and dolomite minerals giving rise to a carbonate-rich scale. Gypsum and anhydrite minerals are undersaturated with all of the thermal waters. Boiling during ascent of the thermal fluids produces steam and liquid waters resulting in an increase of the concentrations of the constituents in discharge waters. Steam fraction, y, of the thermal waters of which temperatures are above 100°C is between 0.075 and 0.119. Reservoir pH is much lower than pH measured in the liquid phase separated at atmospheric conditions, since the latter experienced heavy loss of acid gases, mainly CO₂. Assessment of the various empirical chemical geothermometers and geochemical modelling suggest that reservoir temperatures vary between 175°C and 200°C.     

Chemical geothermometry and fluid–mineral equilibria for the Ömer–Gecek thermal waters, Afyon area, Turkey

Thermal waters of the Ömer–Gecek geothermal field, Turkey, with temperatures ranging from 32 to 92°C vary in chemical composition and TDS contents. They are generally enriched in Na–Cl–HCO₃ and suggest deep water circulation. Silica and cation geothermometers applied to the Ömer–Gecek thermal waters yield reservoir temperatures of 75–155°C. The enthalpy–chloride mixing model, which approximates a reservoir temperature of 125°C for the Ömer–Gecek field, accounts for the diversity in the chemical composition and temperature of the waters by a combination of processes including boiling and conductive cooling of deep thermal water and mixing of the deep thermal water with cold water. It is also determined that the solubility of silica in most of the waters is controlled by the chalcedony phase. Equilibrium states of the Ömer–Gecek thermal waters studied by means of the Na–K–Mg triangular diagram, Na–K–Mg–Ca diagram, K–Mg–Ca geoindicator diagram, activity diagrams in the systems composed of Na₂O–CaO–K₂O–Al₂O₃–SiO₂–CO₂–H₂O phases, log SI diagrams, and finally the alteration mineralogy indicate that most of the spring and low-temperature well waters in the area can be classified as shallow or mixed waters which are likely to be equilibrated with calcite, chalcedony and kaolinite at predicted temperature ranges similar to those calculated from the chemical geothermometers. It was also observed that mineral equilibrium in the Ömer–Gecek waters is largely controlled by CO₂ concentrations.     

Evaluation of reservoir temperatures and local utilization of geothermal waters of the Konkan Coast, India

Geochemical studies on fifteen geothermal manifestations (38–70°C) from the Konkan coast geothermal province of India have been used to evaluate the reservoir temperatures. Activity studies of the minerals and the waters present in the reservoirs suggest that the thermal waters are in equilibrium with montmorillonite, kaolinite and quartz at about 100°C. Reservoir temperatures of these geothermal systems as estimated by geochemical thermometers, are 88 to 128°C, and thus too low for economic electricity production.     

Geology of the platanares geothermal area, Departamento de Copán, Honduras

The Platanares geothermal area, Departamento de Copán, Honduras, is located within a graben that is complexly faulted. The graben is bounded on the north by a highland composed of Paleozoic (?) metamorphic rocks in contact with Cretaceous - Tertiary redbeds of unknown thickness. These are unconformably overlain by Tertiary andesitic lavas, rhyolitic ignimbrites, and associated sedimentary rocks. The volcanic rocks are mostly older than 14 Ma, and thus are too old to represent the surface expression of an active crustal magma body. Thermal fluids that discharge in the area are heated during deep circulation of meteoric water along faults in a region of somewhat elevated heat flow. Geothermometry based upon the chemical composition of thermal fluids from hot springs and from geothermal gradient coreholes suggests that the reservoir equilibrated at temperatures as high as 225 to 240°C, within the Cretaceous redbed sequence. Three continuously cored geothermal gradient holes have been drilled; fluids of about 165°C have been produced from two drilled along a NW-trending fault zone, from depths of 250 to 680 m. A conductive thermal gradient of 139°C/km, at a depth of 400 m, was determined from the third well, drilled 0.6 km west of that fault zone. These data indicate that the Platanares geothermal area holds considerable promise for electrical generation by moderate- to hightemperature geothermal fluids.     

Seismicity and strain accumulation around Karliova Triple Junction (Turkey)

GPS studies in Turkey date back to the early 1990s, but were mostly focused on the seismically active North Anatolian Fault System (NAFS), or on the more populated Western Anatolia. Relatively few studies were made of the seismically less-active East Anatolian Fault System (EAFS), although it has the potential to produce large earthquakes. In this study, we present the results of a combination of geodetic and seismological data around the Karliova Triple Junction (KTJ), which lies at the intersection of the North- and East Anatolian Fault Systems. In particular, the geodetic slip rates obtained through block modeling of GPS velocities were compared with b-values to assess seismicity in the region. Yedisu segment, one of the best-known seismic gaps in Turkey, was specifically analyzed. The relatively low b-values across Yedisu segment verify the accumulation of seismic energy in this segment, and the GPS-derived geodetic slip rates suggest that it has the potential to produce an earthquake of Mw 7.5 across an 80-km rupture zone.Additionally, analysis of earthquake data reveals that the study area has a ductile or rigid–ductile behavior with respect to its surroundings, characterized by varying b-values. Although, seismic events of moderate- to high magnitudes are confined along the major fault zones, there are also low-seismicity zones along the eastern part of the Bitlis Suture Zone and around Yedisu. Since the high seismicity areas within the region may not accumulate sufficient stress for a large earthquake to occur, it is considered that the deformation in such areas occurs in a ductile manner. On the other hand, the areas characterized by low b-values may have the capacity of stress accumulation, which could lead to brittle deformation.     

Geochemistry and geothermometry of spring water from the Blackfoot Reservoir region, southeastern Idaho

The Blackfoot Reservoir region in southeastern Idaho is recognized as a potential geothermal area because of the presence of several young rhyolite domes (50,000 years old), Quaternary basalt flows, and warm springs. North- to northwest-trending high-angle normal faults of Tertiary to Holocene age appear to be the dominant structural control of spring activity. Surface spring-water temperatures average 14°C except for a group of springs west of the Reservoir Mountains which average 33°C. Chemical geothermometers applied to fifty water samples give temperatures less than 75°C except for eight springs along the Corral Creek drainage. The springs along Corral Creek have Na-K-Ca temperatures that average 354°C, a direct result of high potassium concentrations in the water. A correction for carbon dioxide applied to the Na-K-Ca geothermometer lowers the estimated temperatures of the anomalous springs to near the measured surface temperatures, and Na-K-Ca-Mg temperatures for the anomalous springs are near 100°C. Mixing model calculations suggest that hot water with a temperature of approximately 120°C may be mixing with cooler, more dilute water in the springs from the Corral Creek drainage, a temperature supported by Na-K-Ca-Mg temperatures and mineral saturation temperatures.Stability relations of low-temperature phases in the system indicate that the large concentrations of potassium in the eight anomalous springs are derived from reactions with the potassium-bearing minerals muscovite and K-feldspar. Carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide gases may be derived through the oxidation of organic matter accompanied by the reduction of sulfate. Concentrations of major and minor elements, and gases found in springs of the Blackfoot Reservoir region are due to water-rock reactions at temperatures less than 100°C.Based on spring geochemistry, a geothermal reservoir of 100°C up to 120°C may exist at shallow (less than 2 km) depths in the Blackfoot Reservoir region.     

Investigation into the regional wrench tectonics of inner East Anatolia (Turkey) using potential field data

The residual aeromagnetic and gravity anomalies of inner East Anatolia, surveyed by the Mineral Research and Exploration (MTA) of Turkey, display complexities. Some faults, which are known and new lineaments, are drawn from maxspot map derived from the location of the horizontal gradient of gravity anomalies. Tectonic lineaments of inner East Anatolia exhibit similarities to the direction of East Anatolian Fault Zone. Anticlockwise rotation, approximately −30°, defined from disorientations of aeromagnetic anomalies. The lineaments obtained from maxspots map produced from the gravity anomalies and disoriented aeromagnetic anomalies are in-line with the mobilistic system revealed by the palaeomagnetic data. These Alpine age continental rotations caused westward wrenching of the global lithosphere and led to significant tectonic reactivation and deformations. GPS measurements, current tectonic knowledge and the results of the evaluation of potential field data were combined in a base map to demonstrate similarities.     

The use of mixing models and chemical geothermometers for estimating underground temperatures in geothermal systems

Application of various chemical geothermometers and mixing models indicate underground temperatures of 260°C, 280°C and 265°C in the Geysir, Hveravellir and Landmannalaugar geothermal fields in Iceland, respectively. Mixing of the hot water with cold water occurs in the upflow zones of all these geothermal systems. Linear relations between chloride, boron and δ¹⁸O constitute the main evidence for mixing, which is further substantiated by chloride, silica and sulphate relations in the Geysir and Hveravellir fields.A new carbonate-silica mixing model is proposed which is useful in distinguishing boiled and non-boiled geothermal waters. This model can also be used to estimate underground temperatures using data from warm springs. This model, as well as the chloride-enthalpy model and the Na-Li, and CO₂-gas geothermometers, invariably yield similar results as the quartz geothermometer sometimes also does. By contrast, the Na-K and the Na-K-Ca geothermometers yield low values in the case of boiling hot springs, largely due to loss of potassium from solution in the upflow. The results of these geothermometers are unreliable for mixed waters due to leaching subsequent to mixing.     

Geothermal studies in China

Geothermal studies have been conducted in China continuously since the end of the 1950's with renewed activity since 1970. Three areas of research are defined: (1) fundamental theoretical research on geothermics, including subsurface temperatures, terrestrial heat flow and geothermal modeling; (2) exploration for geothermal resources and exploitation of geothermal energy; and (3) geothermal studies in mines.Regional geothermal studies have been conducted recently in North China and more than 2000 values of subsurface temperature have been obtained. Temperatures at a depth of 300 m generally range from 20 to 25°C with geothermal gradients from 20 to 40°C/km. These values are regarded as an average for the region with anomalies related to geological factors.To date, 22 reliable heat flow data from 17 sites have been obtained in North China and the data have been categorized according to fault block tectonics. The average heat flow value at 16 sites in the north is 1.3 HFU, varying from 0.7 to 1.8 HFU. It is apparent that the North China fault block is characterized by a relatively high heat flow with wide variations in magnitude compared to the mean value for similar tectonic units in other parts of the world. It is suggested that although the North China fault block can be traced back to the Archaean, the tectonic activity has been strengthening since the Mesozoic resulting in so-called “reactivation of platform” with large-scale faulting and magmatism.Geothermal resources in China are extensive; more than 2000 hot springs have been found and there are other manifestations including geysers, hydrothermal explosions, hydrothermal steam, fumaroles, high-temperature fountains, boiling springs, pools of boiling mud, etc. In addition, there are many Meso-Cenozoic sedimentary basins with widespread aquifers containing geothermal water resources in abundance. The extensive exploration and exploitation of these geothermal resources began early in the 1970's. Since then several experimental power stations using thermal water have been set up in Fengshun (Fungshun),     

Palaeomagnetic study of the Kepezdağ and Yamadağ volcanic complexes, central Turkey: Neogene tectonic escape and block definition in the central-east Anatolides

The Anatolian accretionary collage between Afro-Arabia and Eurasia is currently subject to two tectonic regimes. Ongoing slip of Arabia relative to Africa along the Dead Sea Fault Zone in the east is extruding crustal blocks away from the indenter by a combination of strike-slip and rotation. This zone of compression gives way to an extensional province in western Turkey, which also includes the eastern sector of Aegean Province. Although it is now well established that rotational deformation throughout Anatolia is distributed and differential, the sizes of the blocks involved are poorly understood. As a contribution towards evaluating this issue in central-east Turkey, we report palaeomagnetic study of the mid-Miocene Kepezda? and Yamada? volcanic complexes in central-south Anatolia (38–39.5°N, 37.5–39°E). A distributed sample through the Yamada? complex identifies eruption during an interval of multiple geomagnetic field reversals (40 normal, 36 reversed, 8 intermediate sites) with a selected mean defined by 63 sites of D/I = 335.4/51.1° (α₉₅ = 4.4°). The smaller Kepezda? complex (8 reversed, 4 normal and 1 intermediate site) yields a comparable mean direction from 12 sites of 338.7/49.8° (α₉₅ = 14.1°). In the context of a range of radiometric age evidence, two thick normal polarity zones within the Yamada? succession probably correlate with zones C5ACn and C5ADn of the Geomagnetic Polarity Time Scale and imply that the bulk of the volcanic activity took place between ∼15 and 13.5 Ma. Comparison of the palaeomagnetic results with the adjoining major plate indenters shows that the Yamada? complex has rotated CCW by 29.3 ± 5.2° relative to Eurasia; the much smaller dataset from the Kepezda? complex indicates a comparable CCW rotation of 26.0 ± 11.8° with respect to Eurasia. The Arabian Indenter has also been rotating CCW since mid Miocene times, and the block incorporating these two volcanic complexes north of the East Anatolian Fault Zone (EAFZ) is determined to have rotated 18.2 ± 6.0° CCW relative to the northern perimeter of Arabia. Comparison with data to the north identifies quasi-uniform rotation across a ∼200 km wide block extending from the Central Anatolian Fault Zone in the northwest to close to the East Anatolian transform fault zone in the south east. Although absence of suitable younger rocks does not permit the timing of this rotation to be determined in the study area, analogies with results from the Sivas Basin suggest that it is young, and followed establishment of the major transform faults. Rotation has evidently taken place around bounding arcuate faults and accompanied westward expulsion as the accretionary collage north of Arabia has been subject to ongoing post-collisional indentation.     

Regional Geothermal Characterisation of East Anatolia from Aeromagnetic,Heat Flow and Gravity Data

East Anatolia is a region of high topography made up of a 2-km high plateau and Neogene and Quaternary volcanics overlying the subduction-accretion complex formed by the process of collision. The aeromagnetic and gravity data surveyed by the Mineral Research and Exploration (MTA) of Turkey have been used to interpret qualitatively the characteristics of the near-surface geology of the region. The residual aeromagnetic data were low-pass filtered and analyzed to produce the estimates of magnetic bottom using the centroid method and by forward modelling of spectra to evaluate the uncertainties in such estimates. The magnetic bottom estimates can be indicative of temperatures in the crust because magnetic minerals lose their spontaneous magnetization at the Curie temperature of the dominant magnetic minerals in the rocks and, thus, also are called Curie point depths (CPDs). The Curie point depths over the region of Eastern Anatolia vary from 12.9 to 22.6 km. Depths computed from forward modelling of spectra with 200–600 km window sizes suggest that the bottom depths from East Anatolia from the magnetic data may have errors exceeding 5 km; however, most of the obtained depths appear to lie in the above range and indicate that the lower crust is either demagnetized or non-magnetic. In the interpretation of the magnetic map, we also used reduction-to-pole (RTP) and amplitude of total gradient of high-pass filtered anomalies, which reduced dipolar orientation effects of induced aeromagnetic anomalies. However, the features of the RTP and the total gradient of the high-pass filtered aeromagnetic anomalies are not highly correlated to the hot spring water locations. On the other hand, many high-amplitude features seen on the total gradient map can be correlated with the ophiolitic rocks observed on the surface. This interpretation is supported by Bouguer gravity data. In this paper, we recommend that the sources of the widespread thermal activity seen in East Anatolia must be investigated individually by means of detailed mapping and modelling of high resolution geophysical data to assess further the geothermal potential of the region.     

Multi-stage fluid circulation in a hydraulic fracture breccia of the Larderello geothermal field (Italy)

The deep well MV5A, drilled in the western part of the Larderello geothermal field, crossed a 20-cm-thick hydraulic fracture breccia unit at a depth of 1090 m below ground level (b.g.l.). This breccia occurs in a fine-grained Triassic metasandstone and consists of angular to subangular clasts of up to some centimeters in size. Pervasive alteration has affected the breccia clasts and wall rock around the breccia, with the formation of Mg–Fe chlorite. After such alteration, hydrothermal circulation caused the precipitation of two generations of calcite cement. Then, ankerite partially replaced these two calcite generations. Ankerite also precipitated in late veinlets with chlorite. Late hydrothermal activity led to the crystallization of albite, quartz and finally, anhydrite. The calcite contains vapor-rich inclusions and two populations of liquid-rich (L1 and L2) inclusions. L1 inclusions are characterized by homogenization temperatures between 304 and 361°C and salinities from 7.4 to 11.6 wt.% NaCl equivalent; L2 inclusions revealed homogenization temperatures in the range of 189–245°C and salinities from 2.6 to 6.3 wt.% NaCl equivalent. The fluids contained in L2 inclusions were probably trapped coevally with some vapor-rich inclusions under boiling conditions after the L1 inclusions formed. Some of the abundant vapor-rich inclusions in calcite may also represent early, low-temperature inclusions affected by decrepitation and/or stretching and/or leaking during L1 trapping. The liquid-rich (L) inclusions trapped at later stages in ankerite, albite and anhydrite display, respectively, homogenization temperature ranges of 189–198°C, 132–145°C, and 139–171°C, and salinities ranging from 1.6 to 1.7 wt.% NaCl equivalent, 1.4 to 2.1 wt.% NaCl equivalent and 3.7 to 6.2 wt.% NaCl equivalent. The inclusions studied record the evolution, over time, of the fluids flowing in the breccia level: L1 inclusions capture high-temperature fluid (about 300 to 350°C) of high salinity (around 10 wt.% NaCl equivalent) at above-hydrostatic pressures (up to about 150 bar). The L2 inclusions in calcite and liquid-rich inclusions in ankerite and albite represent subsequent hydrothermal fluid evolution toward lower temperatures (about 250 to 130°C), pressures (45 to a few bar) and salinities (6.3 to 1.4 wt.% NaCl equivalent). During this stage, boiling processes and infiltration of meteoric waters probably occurred. Finally, moderately saline fluids (around 5 wt.% NaCl equivalent) at a temperature (about 160°C) close to that of present-day in-hole measurements was trapped in the anhydrite inclusions. The liquids trapped in liquid-rich inclusions circulated at 41,000 years (maximum age of calcite) or later. This age represents an upper limit for the development of vapor-dominated condition, in this part of the geothermal system. The fluids circulating at the breccia level were probably meteoric and/or connate waters. These fluids may have interacted with the anhydrite and carbonate bearing formations present in the Larderello area. The occurrence of the hot and saline fluids, trapped in L1 inclusions at above-hydrostatic pressure, suggests that similar fluids but with higher pressure (≥167 bar) and temperature (≥360°C) may have been responsible for rock fracturing.     

Determining and modeling tectonic movements along the central part of the North Anatolian Fault (Turkey) using geodetic measurements

The North Anatolian Fault (NAF), which extends from Karl?ova in Eastern Turkey to the Gulf of Saros in the Northern Aegean Sea, is one of the longest active strike-slip faults in the world with a length of about 1500 km. Within the North Anatolian Shear Zone (NASZ) there are long splays off the main trunk of the NAF veering towards the interior parts of Anatolia. Although the whole shear zone is still seismically active, the major seismicity is concentrated along the main branch of the NAF. Splays of the NAF dissect the shear zone into different continental blocks. The largest splay of the NAF was selected to analyze the distribution of movements between the faults delimiting these blocks. Four years of GPS measurements and modeling results indicate that the differential motion between the Anatolian collage and the Eurasian plate along the central part of the NAF is partitioned between fault splays and varies between 18.7 ± 1.6 and 21.5 ± 2.1 mm/yr with the main branch taking ∼90% of the motion.     

Oceanography of coastal and riverine waters around Timika, West Central Irian Jaya, Arafura Sea

Oceanographic studies have been carried out in coastal and riverine waters of the area around Timika, West Papua in November 1999, March–April, July and November 2000. The temperature of the seawater along the coast is around 28 °C in winter (November 99), rising to 30.0 °C (November 00). In the open sea, 30 miles off the coast at 40 m water depth, the temperature is >30 °C with no stratification. Water temperature near the coast is consistently lower than in the open sea. This is thought to be due the cooling effect of the land, being densely covered by mangrove forest. In the upper parts of the Kamora, West Tipuka, East Tipuka, Ajkwa, Minajerwi, Mawati and Otakwa Rivers, at salinity zero psu, water temperature varies between 24.6 and 26.2 °C, which is as cold as the temperature in the upwelling Banda Sea to the NW. Some of these rivers are fed by glacial melt water from the high mountains to the east. At mid estuary, warm seawater is found under the cooler river water.Salinity near this coast varied between 24 and 30, and offshore salinity was 31–33 with no stratification. Inshore surface waters were turbid (11–14 ntu), and near bottom waters were generally much more turbid from river sediment supply and tidal resuspension. The Ajkwa River estuary has the highest turbidity (750 ntu) at zero salinity. Offshore waters were very clear (5.0–6.0 ntu), and there was no increase in turbidity near the bottom.     

On the evolution of the geothermal regime of the North China Basin

Recent heat flow and regional geothermal studies indicate that the North China Basin is characterized by relatively high heat flow compared with most stable areas in other parts of the world, but lower heat flow than most active tectonic areas. Measured heat flow values range from 61 to 74 mW m⁻². The temperature at a depth of 2000 m is generally in the range 75 to 85°C, but sometimes is 90°C or higher. The geothermal gradient in Cenozoic sediments is in the range 30 to 40°C/km for most of the area. The calculated temperature at the Moho is 560 and 640°C for surface heat flow values of 63 and 71 mW m⁻², respectively. These thermal data are consistent with other geophysical observations for the North China Basin. Relatively high heat flow in this area is related to Late Cretaceous-Paleogene rifting as described in this paper.     

Chemical equilibria of thermal waters for the application of geothermometers from the Guanzhong basin, China

In this study, representative samples from thermal wells and springs were chemically analyzed and geothermometers were used to calculate the deep temperatures of geothermal reservoirs on the basis of water–mineral equilibrium. In some cases, however, the chemical components are not in equilibrium with the minerals in the reservoir. Therefore, log(Q/K) diagrams are used to study the chemical equilibrium for the minerals that are likely to participate. The Na–K–Mg triangular diagram is also applied to evaluate the equilibrium of water with reservoir rocks. Standard curves at the reference temperatures are prepared to reveal which type of silica geothermometer is appropriate for the specified condition. This study shows that water samples from geothermal wells W9 and W12 are in equilibrium with the selective minerals, and chalcedony may control the fluid–silica equilibrium. It is estimated that there is an exploitable low-temperature reservoir with possible temperatures of 80–90°C in the Guanzhong basin.     

Geothermal assessment of the island of ischia (southern Italy) from isotopic and chemical composition of the delivered fluids

The Ischia geothermal system is hosted by silicic rocks of the Quaternary Potassic Roman Province, in southern Italy. Exploration drilling down to 1156 m depth in the mid-1950s provided information on boiling profiles (up to 250°C) and on the depth and permeability of the potential reservoirs. Discharge fluid samples were collected and analyzed to define the inflow of surrounding seawater (C1 ranges from 2.5 to 20 g/kg) into the system.Analyses of samples from surface manifestations and shallow wells collected during 1983 and 1988 point to the existence of three distinct mixing regimes, involving three water components. A dishomogeneous body of diluted water (Cl less than 2.5 g/kg), that occurs at depths > 700 m and reequilibrates at 240°C at least, is overlain by an aquifer of groundwater variably mixed with variably seawater (Cl from 4 to 10 g/kg), which tends to reequilibrate at 160°C. Steam-heated waters locally develop and act as dilutants of the rising geothermal fluids.Dilution, mixing, and evaporation of the ascending chloride fluids are supported by oxygen and hydrogen isotopic data the thermal waters being enriched in ¹⁸O and D with respect to local meteoric water by up to 7 and 30‰, respectively. The relative composition of the major cations in thermal solutions was used to discriminate the two main groups of thermal waters, the reservoir temperatures of which are estimated from the Na/K-gethermometer. K-Mg geothermometer indicates reequilibration in near-surface conditions.The isotopic composition of the fumarolic steam varies from −7 to −12‰ in ∂⁸O and from − 35 to − 70‰ in ∂D, in agreement with a deep mixed fluid that boils adiabatically from 240 to 80°C. The deuterium content of the H₂O-H₂ pair gives enrichment factor of about 830‰, corresponding to equilibrium temperature conditions slightly higher than the surface boiling temperatures. The ∂¹³C of CO₂is almost constant at −4.5‰ (1δ=0.4), suggesting an important magmatic contribution, and the ∂¹⁸O values of CO₂appears to in equilibrium with accompanying steam at the measured temperatures.The CO₂/Ar and H₂/Ar chemical ratios have been used to derive aquifer temperatures, the values obtained being consistent with those of solute geothermometers.     

Curie-point Depth from Spectral Analysis of Magnetic Data in Erciyes Stratovolcano (Central TURKEY)

Curie-point depth and heat flow values of the Erciyes region are determined to identify the thermal regime of the Central Anatolia by applying the spectral analysis method to the magnetic anomaly data. To compute the spectrum of the data, the magnetic anomaly of the region is transformed into 2-D Fourier domain to attain the average Curie depth. This method is useful in determining the top boundary of magnetic anomaly sources and reveals the Curie depth as 13.7 km in the study area. The obtained results imply a high thermal gradient (42.3°C km^?1) and corresponding heat flow values (88.8 mWm^?2) in the research area. Using the temperature value measured at borehole drilled by the General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration of Turkey (MTA), the values for the thermal gradient and heat flow value were computed as 50.7°C km^?1, 106.5 mWm^?2. From the heat flow value, the Curie-point depth was determined as 11.4 km in this region. It is concluded from the obtained values that the region has very high geothermal potential caused by partial melting of the lower crust.     

Geochemistry of the thermal springs and fumaroles of Basse-Terre Island,Guadeloupe, Lesser Antilles

 The purpose of this work was to study jointly the volcanic-hydrothermal system of the high-risk volcano La Soufrière, in the southern part of Basse-Terre, and the geothermal area of Bouillante, on its western coast, to derive an all-embracing and coherent conceptual geochemical model that provides the necessary basis for adequate volcanic surveillance and further geothermal exploration. The active andesitic dome of La Soufrière has erupted eight times since 1660, most recently in 1976–1977. All these historic eruptions have been phreatic. High-salinity, Na–Cl geothermal liquids circulate in the Bouillante geothermal reservoir, at temperatures close to 250  °C. These Na–Cl solutions rise toward the surface, undergo boiling and mixing with groundwater and/or seawater, and feed most Na–Cl thermal springs in the central Bouillante area. The Na–Cl thermal springs are surrounded by Na–HCO₃ thermal springs and by the Na–Cl thermal spring of Anse à la Barque (a groundwater slightly mixed with seawater), which are all heated through conductive transfer. The two main fumarolic fields of La Soufrière area discharge vapors formed through boiling of hydrothermal aqueous solutions at temperatures of 190–215  °C below the "Ty" fault area and close to 260  °C below the dome summit. The boiling liquid producing the vapors of the Ty fault area has δD and δ¹⁸O values relatively similar to those of the Na–Cl liquids of the Bouillante geothermal reservoir, whereas the liquid originating the vapors of the summit fumaroles is strongly enriched in ¹⁸O, due to input of magmatic fluids from below. This process is also responsible for the paucity of CH₄ in the fumaroles. The thermal features around La Soufrière dome include: (a) Ca–SO₄ springs, produced through absorption of hydrothermal vapors in shallow groundwaters; (b) conductively heated, Ca–Na–HCO₃ springs; and (c) two Ca–Na–Cl springs produced through mixing of shallow Ca–SO₄ waters and deep Na–Cl hydrothermal liquids. The geographical distribution of the different thermal features of La Soufrière area indicates the presence of: (a) a central zone dominated by the ascent of steam, which either discharges at the surface in the fumarolic fields or is absorbed in shallow groundwaters; and (b) an outer zone, where the shallow groundwaters are heated through conduction or addition of Na–Cl liquids coming from hydrothermal aquifer(s). Received: 9 November 1998 / Accepted: 15 July 1999