Soil Gas Analyses as Indicator of Fault Zones – Examples from the Taupo Volcanic Zone
- Key words
- Fault zone analysis, diffuse degassing, emanations, fracture permeability.
- Conference
- New Zealand Geothermal Workshop
- Year
- 2016
- Session
- 1.1
- Language
- English
- Paper number
- 149
Full text
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Abstract
Different analytical approaches to measuring diffuse soil gas emissions were tested for their capability to indicate permeable fault segments in areas with and without obvious geothermal manifestations on the surface environment. The methods were applied in three active normal faulting regions in the Taupo Volcanic Zone (Reporoa, Ngapouri, Maleme). Gases such as carbon dioxide and radon are proven tracers for geothermal subsurface activity (Chiodini et al., 1998; Giammanco et al., 2007). Hence, an increase in emissions across and close to faults could be indicative for permeable fracture zones bearing geothermal fluids.
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