Geothermal potential in the Vasse Shelf of the Perth Basin

Abstract

Unusually high radiometric values of uranium (U) and thorium (Th) have been observed in the Vasse region of Western Australia. In this region, Vasse Shelf (southern Perth Basin sediments) sedimentary rocks of Phanerozoic age overlie the igneous-metamorphic Leeuwin Complex. It is known that high radiometric content of basement and sedimentary rocks can enhance geothermal potential of an overlying hot sedimentary aquifer(HSA)sequence of rocks; this is known as geothermal blanketing. The paper reports field and government-sourced airborne data in the Vasse Shelf region. The study shows a correlation of geophysical aeromagnetic response with observed radiometric data; these responses are be related to heat generation within subsurface igneous-basement rocks. Further, hydrogeological of a variable basement heat-geothermal regime. This study suggests that a basement-driven geothermal regime may exist in the Vasse Shelf region of Western Australia. Such a regime may provide confidence for a small-scale geothermal industry for the region.