3D Joint Inversion of Gravity and Magnetic Data in Los Humeros and Acoculco Unconventional Geothermal Systems

Abstract

Gravity and magnetic data have been largely used to characterize geothermal systems taking advantage of their large coverage and sensitivity to lateral heterogeneities associated with porosity and permeability. In this study, we present a 3D regional joint inversion of gravity and magnetic data from two geothermal targets in Mexico: Los Humeros Volcano Complex (LHVC) and Acoculco that includes the Enhanced (EGS) and Superhot geothermal systems (SHGS) We use a formal joint inversion strategy that relates density and magnetization trough a petrophysical equation. The resulting 3D density and magnetization models are examined. We observed a link between low density, low magnetization and major fault zones with high relevance to geothermal exploration, particularly evident in Los Humeros. Finally, the 3D magnetization and density models are expected to be used as important constraints in the electrical and seismic modeling which as a whole will help us to the construction and understanding of the geothermal conceptual model.