The application of an indirect electromagnetic geothermometer to temperature extrapolation in depth

We study the feasibility of the application of an indirect EM geothermometer, developed recently, to the temperature extrapolation in depth using magnetotelluric data collected in the seismically active northern Tien Shan faulted area (Bishkek Geodynamic Test Site, Kyrgyzstan) and Hengill geothermal zone (Iceland). The approach used is based on the artificial neural network technique, which does not imply the prior knowledge of the electrical conductivity mechanisms on the one hand and provides temperature estimates based on the analysis of the implicit conductivity-temperature relations, on the other.
The samples for neuronet teaching consisted in the well temperature records and electrical conductivity values determined for the same depths from the magnetotelluric data measured in the vicinities of eight boreholes in each testing area. The testing of the taught neuronets was carried out using the temperature records not involved in the teaching process. The results indicate that the temperature extrapolation accuracy essentially depends on the ratio between the well length and the extrapolation depth. In particular, in extrapolation to a depth twice as large as the well depth the relative error is 5–6% and in case of threefold excess, the error is around 20%. This result makes it possible to increase significantly the depth of indirect temperature estimation in the Earth's interior (in particular, for geothermal exploration) based on the available temperature logs.
The practical application of an indirect electromagnetic geothermometer could provide the following facilities: 1) more exact temperature estimation in the extrapolation mode; 2) remote temperature estimates in the boreholes in areas characterized by extreme conditions for conventional geothermometers.     

Electromagnetic 3D tomography of the Elbrus volcanic center according to magnetotelluric and satellite data

A geoelectric 3D model of the potentially active Elbrus volcano and its vicinities has been constructed using magnetotelluric data, which takes the volume model of the tectonic fragmentation field developed based on deciphering satellite photographs into account. An original method of searching for the correlation and determination of the character of the interrelation between the ground-based and satellite data has been used in this construction. The geoelectric 3D model constructed includes two conducting objects located at different depths. One of the objects, with a resistivity of 25–40 Ω m, located at depths of 0–10 km, is most intense at a depth of 5 km, where the object is quasi-isometric in shape and has a radius of 10 km along the 40–60 Ω m contour lines. Another object with a resistivity of 10–40 Ω m is located at a depth of ～45 km, where its dimensions along the contour line for 40 Ω m are 35 and 15 km in latitude and longitude, respectively. The thickness of the conducting core is approximately 20 km. The upper and lower objects can be interpreted as a volcano magma chamber and a volcano parent chamber, respectively.     

Balanced cross-section restoration in a complicated folded hinterland structure: Shilbilisaj profile,Talas ridge,Caledonian Tien Shan

Conventional cross-section balancing techniques based on layer length measuring can be applied only for foreland structures. To analyse complicated hinterland structure with numerous small-scale folds, this balancing technique requires the reliable and detailed tracing of the morphology of any layer throughout the cross-section, which is unattainable. We present a special kinematic method of balancing cross sections based “on the geometry of the folded domain” which enables the structural restoration of hinterland regions. We apply the method to restore the detailed structural section along the Shilbilisaj River, having a length of 26 km. We divided this section into 40–60 so-called “domains” each including 2–7 folds. Our method uses the fold's morphology to determine the strain ellipsoid, which describes the deformation of each domain and is used to restore its pre-folded state. By combining the pre-folded states of the domains, we reconstruct the entire profile, and calculate shortening values as K = L₀/L₁ (initial to final length). The overall shortening value for the profile is 4.49, incrementally varying along the section from 3.79 to 5.53. The comparable results of two independently performed reconstructions emphasize the reliability of the applied balancing method.     

ULF wave indices to characterize the solar wind-magnetosphere interaction and relativistic electron dynamics

To quantify the level of low-frequency wave activity of the magnetosphere and IMF, a set of the ULF wave power indices has been introduced. We demonstrate that the ULF activity global level can be very useful in space weather related problems. The application of the interplanetary index to an analysis of auroral activity driving has shown that a turbulent IMF drives auroral activity more strongly than the laminar solar wind does. The enhancements of relativistic electrons at the geosynchronous orbit are known not to be directly related to the intensity of magnetic storms. We found that the electron dynamics correlated well with long-lasting intervals of elevated ground ULF wave index. This fact confirms the importance of magnetospheric ULF turbulence in energizing electrons up to relativistic energies. The time-integrated ULF index demonstrates a significantly higher correlation with electron fluxes, which implies the occurrence of a cumulative effect in the electron energization.     

EM-field transformations and their use in interpretation

Two large groups of methods used to transform electromagnetic fields are discussed. The first of them includes methods based on the linear relations between the components of the MT-fields measured at a single or several points at the earth's surface. In this context special attention is paid to the consideration of impedance transformations, apparent resistivity and inductive operators, most frequently used in interpretation.The second group of methods concerns integral transformations of data. Firstly techniques are considered which are used for the division of the EM-fields into external and internal, normal and anomalous, surface and deep parts. Finally electromagnetic analogs of seismic methods are mentioned briefly.All transformations discussed are accompanied by examples of their use in data interpretation.     

Electromagnetic sounding of geothermal zones

Electromagnetic (EM) data provide a substantial contribution to the geophysical mapping and monitoring of geothermal reservoirs. This paper presents an up-to-date picture of the achievements of EM methods for geothermal exploration as they have emerged over the last few years. It has been proved that EM sounding of geothermal zones and distant monitoring macro-parameters of the reservoirs, fluid-filled faults and other elements of the geothermal system are possible provided that modern 3-D inversion is used along with techniques that reduce the effects of industrial and geological noise. In addition, geological and petrophysical data also need to be included in the analysis.     

Geothermal fields of Hengill Volcano,Iceland

This paper provides a review of geological, geophysical, and geochemical studies for three geothermal zones of Hengill Volcano, Iceland: Nesjavellir, Hellisheidi, and Hveragerdi. We discuss the relationships between global tectonics and high-temperature geothermal systems in Iceland. The bulk of this review is devoted to studies of the physical, geochemical, and mineralogic parameters for the three areas. A separate discussion concerns surface phenomena, as well as the origin of thermal water. This review covers studies of the main aquifer complexes: Miocene/Lower Pliocene plateau basalts, Upper Pliocene/Pleistocene lavas and volcanoclastics involving tillite horizons, an aquifer complex of Holocene lava sheets as thick as 1 km, and an aquifer complex of Upper Pleistocene/Holocene alluvial eolian deposits and formations of bottom moraines. We consider a conceptual model of geothermal reservoirs characteristic for the Hengill geothermal fields.     

Seasonal and Annual Fluxes of Nutrients and Organic Matter from Large Rivers to the Arctic Ocean and Surrounding Seas

River inputs of nutrients and organic matter impact the biogeochemistry of arctic estuaries and the Arctic Ocean as a whole, yet there is considerable uncertainty about the magnitude of fluvial fluxes at the pan-Arctic scale. Samples from the six largest arctic rivers, with a combined watershed area of 11.3?×?10⁶?km², have revealed strong seasonal variations in constituent concentrations and fluxes within rivers as well as large differences among the rivers. Specifically, we investigate fluxes of dissolved organic carbon, dissolved organic nitrogen, total dissolved phosphorus, dissolved inorganic nitrogen, nitrate, and silica. This is the first time that seasonal and annual constituent fluxes have been determined using consistent sampling and analytical methods at the pan-Arctic scale and consequently provide the best available estimates for constituent flux from land to the Arctic Ocean and surrounding seas. Given the large inputs of river water to the relatively small Arctic Ocean and the dramatic impacts that climate change is having in the Arctic, it is particularly urgent that we establish the contemporary river fluxes so that we will be able to detect future changes and evaluate the impact of the changes on the biogeochemistry of the receiving coastal and ocean systems.