Geothermal Resources in Southwestern South America (Argentina, Chile)

Abstract

In the Andean region of Argentina and Chile anomalous high heat flow and temperature gradients have been inferred in several areas, most of them located near active volcanoes. Also, high electrical conductivity zones have been observed in northern Chile and western Argentina. Even if these observations could mean the existence of resources for geothermal exploitation, only for some areas in Argentina a geothermal project has been established. In northern Chile, the area of El Tatio is the most explored geothermal field, and only recently the interest for a further assessment of this area has been revived. Here, a brief summary of results concerning heat flow, radiogenic heat production and high conductivity zones will be presented. Also, some observations regarding the geochemical thermometry of some hot springs areas will be forwarded. The purpose of this note is to encourage the geothermal exploration in Argentina and Chile.