Temperature, Resistivity and Self-Potential Investigations of Kuirau Park, Rotorua Geothermal Field, New Zealand

Abstract

Temperature, resistivity and self potential (SP) surveys were carried out across Kuirau Park, Rotorua geothermal field, in September 2000 and August 2001. The temperatme survey showed that the total amount of heat discharged at Kuirau Park was about 30 MW (September 2000). The result also suggests a possible relationship between ground temperahues and near future hydrothermal eruptions. The resistivity survey delineated the extent of shallow hydrothermal alteration which affected the upper part of the buried Rotorua rhyolite dome. Our pelmunary interpretation of self potential (SP) data suggests the existence of some source regions of electric potential that may be associated with geothermal activity at 100 to 300 m depths. There is indication of a possible relationship between production of geothermal fluids from the Rotom sytem and temperahue variations at Kuirau Park