Thermal Imaging of Geothermal Features

Abstract

With advances in thermal imaging and thermal cameras becoming more like conventional cameras, imaging of geothermal features in the field is becoming an important alternative to conventional methods.
This paper outlines a study where ground based thermal images are compared with results from conventional soil temperature mapping. With data obtained in Hveragerði, Southern Iceland georeferenced images and thermal images taken from the ground are compared with soil in-situ thermocouple measurements. Results show similar temperature patterns, although temperature from the thermal camera is slightly lower than the in-situ temperature.
Thermal imaging also has environmental monitoring applications. Here, an example from Reykjanes, SW-Iceland is presented, where hot brine water from a power plant is pumped into the sea and the amount of affected seawater is estimated.