- Extensional Tectonics
- Subduction Zone
- Rift Zone
- Hot Spot
- Non-Tectonic
- Strike-Slip
Non-Tectonic
From Open Energy Information
Non-Tectonic:
A region far from any tectonic plate boundaries which is tectonically stable
Tectonic Settings
List of tectonic settings known to host modern geothermal systems:
Many geothermal areas may be considered to have no tectonic contribution to the geothermal resource. These areas are thought to have high heat flow resulting from high radiogenic sources beneath the crust, typically located within continental interiors.
For example, Chena Hot Springs in Alaska is located over a highly radiogenic granitic pluton. Chena’s back-arc setting, thought to be related to some rotation and extension, may provide the strain necessary to provide the faults and fractures for hydrothermal circulation.
Examples
Want to add an example to this list? Select a Geothermal Resource Area to edit its "Tectonic Setting" property using the "Edit with Form" option.
CSV| Geothermal Resource Area | Geothermal Region | Control Structure | Host Rock Age | Host Rock Lithology | Mean Capacity | Mean Reservoir Temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston Geothermal Area | West Virginia: Energy Resources | 3.8 MW 3,800 kW 3,800,000 W 3,800,000,000 mW 0.0038 GW 3.8e-6 TW | 321.15 K 48 °C 118.4 °F 578.07 °R | |||
| Chena Geothermal Area | Alaska Geothermal Region | Fault Intersection Intrusion Margins and Associated Fractures | 90 Ma | Granitic Pluton | 0.4 MW 400 kW 400,000 W 400,000,000 mW 4.0e-4 GW 4.0e-7 TW | 371.15 K 98 °C 208.4 °F 668.07 °R |
| Larderello Geothermal Area | Italy Geothermal Region | Triassic | Dolostone; Metamorphic Basement | 594 MW 594,000 kW 594,000,000 W 594,000,000,000 mW 0.594 GW 5.94e-4 TW | 523.15 K 250 °C 482 °F 941.67 °R |