|
|
| |
Curie Point Depth Analysis and Heat-Flow Mapping: Implications for Geothermal Development in South-Central South Dakota
Khomchan PROMNEEWAT, Zhi YE, William ROGGENTHEN, Ahmad GHASSEMI
[South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, USA]
South-Central South Dakota hosts a unique high-temperature geothermal anomaly, indicating a promising resource for geothermal development in the central United States. However, the system remains underexplored: current knowledge derives mainly from preliminary groundwater and geophysical studies, and the origin of the elevated heat flow is uncertain. This uncertainty is compounded by the lack of deep, in situ well data. This study uses existing aeromagnetic data to estimate and map Curie Point Depth (CPD) as a regional proxy for thermal structure and, under conductive conditions, for heat flow regime. We compare CPD-derived heat flow with available temperature data and heat-flow observations to evaluate the relative contributions of radiogenic basement production, deeper sources, and insulation by the region’s thick sedimentary cover. The results refine the regional heat budget and help identify dominant heat-source mechanisms, informing future geothermal development, including direct-use applications and/or enhanced geothermal systems (EGS).
Topic: Geophysics