Three-Dimensional Magnetotelluric (MT) Modeling of the Northern Negros Geothermal Project, Central Philippines

<p>The latest magnetotelluric (MT) survey was conducted in the Northern Negros Geothermal Project (NNGP), which is one of the geothermal fields being developed in the Philippines, from December, 2010 to April, 2011. 66 new MT soundings were added to the previous MT dataset. The new stations were located mainly in the southeastern and southern regions to define the extent of drilled high-temperature resource in these areas. Phase tensor analysis show that the MT data in general is only 1-D in the short period range of <1 s and becomes 3-D at longer periods. 1-D, 2-D and 3-D modeling were performed on the MT dataset after stripping it for distortion based on the phase tensor and correcting for static shifts using Transient Electromagnetic (TEM) data. The resistivity structure from all models show three main layers: a >100 ohm-m resistive top layer, a middle <10 ohm-m conductive layer and a >20 ohm-m moderately resistive bottom layer. The highly resistive top layer is associated with the relatively fresh volcanic deposits of the Canlaon Volcanics (CnV). Correlating the 3-D resistivity structure with subsurface data from the drilled wells shows that the thick conductive layer overlaps with the low-temperature alteration minerals such as smectite while the moderately resistive bottom layer coincides with the high-temperature alteration minerals like illite and epidote. These observations are also consistent with the measured well temperatures wherein the elevated temperatures drilled beneath the Pataan sector coincide with the shallow occurence or doming portion of the bottom resistive layer. Tracing the shallow occurrence of the bottom resistive layer revealed a northeast extension to the drilled resource beneath Pataan. The delineated resource area in Pataan is about 3 to 7 km². Other possible high-temperature areas are located within the Upper Hagdan and Hardin Sang Balo sectors. However, resolution of the resistivity structure is not well pronounced in these areas due to limited data coverage.</p>

Three-Dimensional Magnetotelluric (MT) Modeling of the Northern Negros Geothermal Project, Central Philippines

<p>The latest magnetotelluric (MT) survey was conducted in the Northern Negros Geothermal Project (NNGP), which is one of the geothermal fields being developed in the Philippines, from December, 2010 to April, 2011. 66 new MT soundings were added to the previous MT dataset. The new stations were located mainly in the southeastern and southern regions to define the extent of drilled high-temperature resource in these areas. Phase tensor analysis show that the MT data in general is only 1-D in the short period range of <1 s and becomes 3-D at longer periods. 1-D, 2-D and 3-D modeling were performed on the MT dataset after stripping it for distortion based on the phase tensor and correcting for static shifts using Transient Electromagnetic (TEM) data. The resistivity structure from all models show three main layers: a >100 ohm-m resistive top layer, a middle <10 ohm-m conductive layer and a >20 ohm-m moderately resistive bottom layer. The highly resistive top layer is associated with the relatively fresh volcanic deposits of the Canlaon Volcanics (CnV). Correlating the 3-D resistivity structure with subsurface data from the drilled wells shows that the thick conductive layer overlaps with the low-temperature alteration minerals such as smectite while the moderately resistive bottom layer coincides with the high-temperature alteration minerals like illite and epidote. These observations are also consistent with the measured well temperatures wherein the elevated temperatures drilled beneath the Pataan sector coincide with the shallow occurence or doming portion of the bottom resistive layer. Tracing the shallow occurrence of the bottom resistive layer revealed a northeast extension to the drilled resource beneath Pataan. The delineated resource area in Pataan is about 3 to 7 km². Other possible high-temperature areas are located within the Upper Hagdan and Hardin Sang Balo sectors. However, resolution of the resistivity structure is not well pronounced in these areas due to limited data coverage.</p>

Linking strike directions to invariant TE and TM impedances of the magnetotelluric impedance tensor

Estimation of the traditional transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) impedances of the magnetotelluric tensor for two-dimensional structures can be decoupled from the estimation of the strike direction with significant implications when dealing with galvanic distortions. Distortion-free data are obtainable by combining a quadratic equation with the phase tensor. In the terminology of Groom–Bailey, the quadratic equation provides amplitudes and phases that are immune to twist, and the phase tensor provides phases immune to both, twist and shear. On the other hand, distortion-free strike directions can be obtained using Bahr's approach or the phase tensor. In principle, this is all that is needed to proceed to a two-dimensional (2D) interpretation. However, the resulting impedances are strike ignorant because they are invariant under coordinate system rotation, and if they are to be related to a geological strike, they must be linked to a particular direction. This is an additional ambiguity to the one of 90° arising in classic strike-determination methods, which must be resolved independently. In this work, we use the distortion model of Groom–Bailey to resolve the ambiguity by bringing back the coupling between impedances and strike in the presence of galvanic distortions. Our approach is a hybrid between existing numerical and analytical methods that reduces the problem to a binary decision, which involves associating the invariant impedances with the correct TE and TM modes. To determine the appropriate association, we present three algorithms. Two of them require optimizing the fit to the data, and the third one requires a comparison of phases. All three keep track of possible crossings of the phase curves providing a clear-cut solution. Synthetic and field data illustrate the performance of the three schemes. Graphical Abstract

Linking strike directions to invariant TE and TM impedances of the magnetotelluric impedance tensor

The traditional transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) impedances of the magnetotelluric tensor can be decoupled from the strike direction with significant implications when dealing with galvanic distortions. Distortion-free impedances are obtainable combining a quadratic equation with the phase tensor. In the terminology of Groom-Bailey, the quadratic equation provides amplitudes and phases that are immune to twist and the phase tensor provides phases immune to both, twist and shear. On the other hand, distortion-free strike directions can be obtained using Bahr’s approach or the formula provided by the phase tensor. In principle, this is all that is needed to proceed to a two-dimensional (2D) interpretation. However, the resulting impedances are strike-ignorant because they are invariant under rotation and, if they are to be related to a geological strike they must be linked to a particular direction. This is an extra ambiguity beside the classical of 90 degrees which must be resolved independently. In this work we use the distortion model of Groom-Bailey to resolve the ambiguity by bringing back the coupling between impedances and strike in the presence of galvanic distortions. Considering that most quantities are already known, fitting the responses of the model to the data requires minimizations only over the single variable of twist, instead of the original approach of having to minimize not only twist, shear and strike, but also the impedances themselves. Our approach is a hybrid between existing numerical and analytical approaches that reduces the problem to a binary decision. The fusion of the two approaches is illustrated using synthetic and field data.

Analysis of magnetotelluric data from Las Cañadas caldera (Tenerife, Spain)

&lt;p&gt;Tenerife is the second-largest island in the Canarian archipelago with an area of 2034 km&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt;. It consists of three ancient volcanic massifs (Anaga, Adeje and Teno) located at the edges of the island connected by rift zones to the centre of the island, in correspondence of Las Ca&amp;#241;adas caldera. The caldera hosts the most relevant topographic element of Tenerife, the volcanic edifice of Teide &amp;#8211; Pico Viejo. Previous studies already suggested the presence of geothermal resources inside and around the caldera. For this reason, in the present study, we have applied the magnetotelluric method (MT) in the central part of the island to better understand subsurface structures in this area.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The MT method is a useful tool successfully applied to detect conductive and resistive structures located in the subsoil. It is commonly used in volcanic areas to detect volcano-tectonic features and geothermal systems to evaluate exploitable geothermal resources. Furthermore, continuous magnetotelluric measurements can also be employed for volcanic monitoring, allowing tracking temporal changes of the resistivity because of fluid transfer processes in the volcanic system.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Between 2019 and 2020 we realised a detailed study of Las Ca&amp;#241;adas caldera resistivity structure thought 45 magnetotelluric soundings. The instrumentation consisted of four Metronix ADU-08e, equipped with EPF-06 electrodes and MFS-06e magnetic coils, which registered electric and magnetic fields along the N-S and E-W directions. We also installed three remote stations at different times inside the caldera. Depending on the station quality, we obtained the MT response functions for periods of 0.001 &amp;#8211; 1000 s. The dimensionality of the data has been analysed using the phase tensor. &amp;#160;The first preliminary results of dimensionality and strike analysis indicate a 1D/2D behaviour for the first layers which present a decreasing resistivity, evolving to a 3D behaviour from 1s and with an increase of resistivity with depth.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Furthermore, we present some results obtained by a permanent MT station to check the possibility of temporal changes in the electrical resistivity. During the time this station was recording two electrical blackouts which took place on the island. This allowed quantitatively estimating the level of anthropogenic electromagnetic noise in the recorded time series.&lt;/p&gt;

Reframing the magnetotelluric phase tensor for monitoring applications: improved accuracy and precision in strike determinations

The magnetotelluric method is increasingly being used to monitor electrical resistivity changes in the subsurface. One of the preferred parameters derived from the surface impedance is the strike direction, which is very sensitive to changes in the direction of the subsurface electrical current flow. The preferred method for estimating the strike changes is that provided by the phase tensor because it is immune to galvanic distortions. However, it is also a fact that the associated analytic formula is unstable for noisy data, something that limits its applicability for monitoring purposes, because in general this involves comparison of two or more very similar datasets. One of the issues is that the noise complicates the distribution of estimates between the four quadrants. This can be handled by sending all values to the same quadrant by adding or subtracting the appropriate amount. This is justified by showing that the analytic formula is also a least squares solution. This is equivalent to define penalty functions for the matrix of eigenvalues and then select the minima numerically. Contrary to the analytic formula, this numerical approach can be generalized to compute strikes using windows of any number of periods, thus providing tradeoffs between variance and resolution. The performance of the proposed approach is illustrated by its application to synthetic data and to real data from a monitoring array in the Cerro Prieto geothermal field, México.

Reframing the magnetotelluric phase tensor for monitoring applications: improved accuracy and precision in strike determinations.

The magnetotelluric method is increasingly being used to monitor electrical resistivity changes in the subsurface. One of the preferred parameters derived from the surface impedance is the strike direction, which is very sensitive to changes in the direction of the subsurface electrical current flow. The preferred method for estimating the strike changes is that provided by the phase tensor because it is immune to galvanic distortions. However, it is also a fact that the associated analytic formula is unstable for noisy data, something that limits its applicability for monitoring purposes, because in general this involves comparison of two or more very similar data sets. One of the issues is that the noise complicates the distribution of estimates between the four quadrants. This can be handled by sending all values to the same quadrant by adding or subtracting the appropriate amount. This is justified by showing that the analytic formula is also a least squares solution. This is equivalent to define penalty functions for the matrix of eigenvalues and then select the minima numerically. Contrary to the analytic formula this numerical approach can be generalized to compute strikes using windows of any number of periods, thus providing tradeoffs between variance and resolution. The performance of the proposed approach is illustrated by its application to synthetic data and to real data from a monitoring array in the Cerro Prieto geothermal field, México.

Reframing the magnetotelluric phase tensor for monitoring applications: improved accuracy and precision in strike determinations

The magnetotelluric method is increasingly being used to monitor electrical resistivity changes in the subsurface. One of the preferred parameters derived from the surface impedance is the strike direction, which is very sensitive to changes in the direction of the subsurface electrical current flow. The preferred method for estimating the strike changes is that provided by the phase tensor because it is immune to galvanic distortions. However, it is also a fact that the associated analytic formula is unstable for noisy data, something that limits its applicability for monitoring purposes, because in general this involves comparison of two or more very similar data sets. One of the issues is that the noise complicates the distribution of estimates between the four quadrants. This can be handled by sending all values to the same quadrant by adding or subtracting the appropriate amount. This is justified by showing that the analytic formula is also a least squares solution. This is equivalent to define penalty functions for the matrix of eigenvalues and then select the minima numerically. Contrary to the analytic formula this numerical approach can be generalized to compute strikes using windows of any number of periods, thus providing tradeoffs between variance and resolution. The performance of the proposed approach is illustrated by its application to synthetic data and to real data from a monitoring array in the Cerro Prieto geothermal field, México.

Reframing the magnetotelluric phase tensor for monitoring applications: improved accuracy and precision in strike determinations

The magnetotelluric method is increasingly being used to monitor electrical resistivity changes in the subsurface. One of the preferred parameters derived from the surface impedance is the strike direction, which is very sensitive to changes in the direction of the subsurface electrical current flow. The preferred method for estimating the strike changes is that provided by the phase tensor because it is immune to galvanic distortions. However, it is also a fact that the associated analytic formula is unstable for noisy data, something that limits its applicability for monitoring purposes, because in general this involves comparison of two or more very similar data sets. On the other hand, the classical Swift’s approach for strike is very stable for noisy data but it is severely affected by galvanic distortions. In this paper we impose the criterion of Swift’s approach to the phase tensor. Rather than developing an analytical formula we optimize numerically the same criterion. This stabilizes the estimation of strike by relaxing an exact condition to an optimal condition in the presence of noise. This has the added benefit that it can be applied to windows of several periods, thus providing tradeoffs between variance and resolution. The performance of the proposed approach is illustrated by its application to synthetic data and to real data from a monitoring array in the Cerro Prieto geothermal field, México.