Geothermal Anomalies in the Gaspesie Peninsula and Madeleine Islands, Quebec

Abstract

This paper reviews the geothermal anomalies found in the Gaspésie Peninsula, and evaluates the thermal consequences of salt dome phenomenon in the Madeleine Islands (Québec, eastern Canada). The main objective is to perform a preliminary evaluation of the thermal anomalies and salt domes potential for future geothermal power and heat generation in eastern Québec. The results show that the prospects are good in the Gaspésie Peninsula, especially some 30 km south east of the city of Rimouski where temperature gradients above 50 oC/km and temperatures of about 110 oC at a depth as low as 2 km can be expected. Offshore geothermal anomalies in the Madeleine Islands are related to salt domes supporting younger sedimentary lids on top of them. Anomalous temperatures are shown to be of interest for geothermal energy only when a thick sedimentary cap overlies the salt.