GM-GRE; A GIS Based Program for Site Selection of Regional Scale Geothermal Potential

Abstract

A Toolsbox using Geographic Information System (GIS) was developed and introduced as a decision-making tool to locate potential regional- scale geothermal resources. The study aims to introduce a step by step guide line and develop user friendly computer program that can determine the promising geothermal potential areas in regional scale. Data layers consist of Quaternary volcanic rocks, calderas and craters, faults, hot springs, fumaroles, hydrothermal alteration zones and temperature gradient that are employed in site selection process. ArcMap was used as a base program to develop a GIS Model for Geothermal Resource Exploration (GM-GRE) consisting of Geoprocessing tools and Modelbuilder. Areas with geothermal potential were defined and prioritized by input data layers. The GM-GRE Toolbox was examined and validated using data from Akita and Iwate prefectures, northern Japan. The results showed that 97% of 430 currently productive geothermal wells in Akita and Iwate prefectures are located within the first priority zone selected by the GM-GER.