Airborne Electromagnetic Surveys as a Reconnaissance Technique for Geothermal Exploration
- Key words
- Exploration; USA; Geophysical Survey; Remote Sensing; General; Electromagnetic; Airborne Surveys; Conceptual Models
- Location
- Surprise Valley, California; Wabuska, Nevada
- Conference
- Geothermal Resources Council Transactions
- Year
- 1980
- Session
- Exploration; Geophysical surveys; Remote sensing
- Language
- English
Abstract
INPUT airborne electromagnetic (AEM) surveys were conducted during 1979 by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Advanced Technology Projects, in five known geothermal resource areas (KGRA's). AEM work has not been significantly utilized in the past for geothermal purpose because it was thought that a shallow exploration technique would not be effective. Extensive audio-magnetotelluric (AMT) work by the USGS in KGRA's showed that many geothermal systems do have a near surface electrical signature which should be detectable by an AEM system. INPUT responses into form of nested electromagnetic (EM) profiles and channel ratio maps defined the same conductive zones mapped by AMT in five KGRA's, showing that AEM methods can be useful in exploration for and defining geothermal systems.
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