Resistivity exploration for altered zone at otake geothermal area — Japan

Geothermal electric power plant with a capacity of 10 mw has been now constructed by the Kyushu Electric Power Co. Ltd. at Otake, northern part of the Kyushu Island. Resistivity exploration, one of geophysical prospecting applied to this field in order to investigate the subsurface structure accompanied with natural steams, indicated low resistivity layer corresponding to altered zone of andesite due to hydrothermal agents. For the rapid interpretation of resistivity sounding curves, a method of calculating the standard curve for the multiple layered earth is developed in the utilization of an electronic digital computer. Some examples to show the application of this method are given, and tinally the result is described of resistivity measurement at Otake geothermal area.