The Role of Active Crustal Faults in Geothermal Systems in Volcanic Areas: A Case Study of Southern Chile by Magnetotelluric Method ...

• Main Author: Pavez Moreno, Maximiliano Alejandro
• Format: Doctoral or Postdoctoral Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT) 2023
• Subjects: Volcanoes; Magnetotellurics; Electrical structures; Magmatism; Crustal reservoir; Crustal faulting; Fluid pathways; Antarc*; Antarctic
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.5445/ir/1000164403; https://publikationen.bibliothek.kit.edu/1000164403

The Andean magmatic arc results from the on-going subduction of the Nazca and Antarctic beneath the South American Plates. The most active volcanoes in the Andes are concentrated in the Southern Volcanic Zone (SVZ) which extends from 33 to 46°S. This zone is characterized by the NNE-striking Liquiñe-Ofqui Fault Systems (LOFS), which extends over 1400 km and is offset by a group of NW-striking so-called Andean transverse faults (ATF). Preferential fluid pathways along these regional fault systems are crucial for the spatial localization of surface manifestations in the Andean magmatic arc. Ranging from volcanoes to thermal springs, they represent the geothermal spectrum from high- to low temperature geothermal systems in this area. Both, magmatic (melt) and geothermal fluids, are linked to comparatively high electrical conductivity and thus, prone to electromagnetic exploration. Given the depth of occurrence, here, we use magnetotelluric methods to develop flow concepts for both, low- and high temperature, ...