Geothermal exploration involves a high degree of uncertainty and financial risk, and requires reliable exploration data to constrain development decisions. The paper describes a geothermal exploration and resource identification method that is based on building a map of potential geothermal resource areas by combining geological, geochemical and geophysical datasets; it is a powerful tool for visualizing new and existing data during decision-making processes. By performing suitability analysis and geothermal area identification, and by establishing criteria to define geothermal resources with development potential, a map of Iran was constructed highlighting 18 promising areas. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Drilling of the volcanic conduit in the Unzen Scientific Drilling Project (USDP) was completed in 2004. Some conduit materials of the 1990-95 eruption were encountered at the bottom of Well USDP-4 (150 m below sea level), and a bottom temperature of about 200 degrees C was estimated using logging data, although before drilling a temperature of about 700 degrees C had been inferred. Accordingly, conduit cooling from the initial temperature (850 degrees C) to the estimated temperature (about 200 degrees C) was evaluated by numerical simulation. The drilling provides constraints for the numerical model. The drilling indicates that the N-S width of the conduit of the latest eruption is 20 to 30 m and that it occupies a zone of about 300 m, which includes conduits of past eruptions. The process of cooling in the conduit, from an initial temperature of 850 degrees C in 1995 (the end of the eruption) to 200 degrees C in 2004 (completion of the conduit drilling), was replicated in models with permeabilities of I and 10 mdarcys. This result demonstrates that a highly permeable volcanic body surrounding a small conduit is required to explain the estimated bottom temperature. Our study also aimed to use a numerical simulation to construct a comprehensive hydrothermal model beneath Unzen Volcano. There are four large geothermal systems in the Shimabara Peninsula (Obama hot springs, Unzen fumarolic field, Shimabara hot springs and the West Unzen High Temperature Body [WUHTB]). Three pressure sources ("Sources A", "B" and "C" from shallow to the deep) were determined by geodetic data during the 1990-95 eruption. Source C is located at about 8 km deep at WUHTB, and is considered to be a magma body. We attempted to explain the existence of the four geothermal systems from the large-scale structures (the topography of the Shimabara Peninsula and Unzen Graben) and the various heat sources. We first set a heat source around Source C and changed its position and size. This numerical model produced the upflow zones at the Obama and Shimabara hot springs and WUHTB; however, the Unzen fumarolic field became a recharge area. This result indicates that another heat source is required to explain the Unzen fumarolic field and that two heat sources beneath WUHTB and the Unzen fumarolic field are involved in the formation of the four hydrothermal systems in the Shimabara Peninsula. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Repeat hybrid micro-gravity measurements were conducted to detect the gravity change caused by hot spring water production around Beppu in eastern Kyushu, Japan. An A10 #017 absolute gravimeter (Micro-g LaCoste) and a CG-5 #549 gravimeter (Scintrex) were used for this study in intervals of three to four months at eight gravity stations. According to the results obtained with the absolute gravimetry, a gravity change of up to 33 mu gal was detected at the Beppu Geothermal Research Laboratory (BGRL) reference station. The observed absolute gravity was compared with the groundwater level, and there was a good correlation between the gravity changes and the groundwater level changes. Based on the precipitation, groundwater level, and soil character, the effect of the water content changes in the unsaturated zone was estimated precisely by using a Gwater-1D. This calculation can explain that the gravity seasonal changes were caused by the groundwater level changes. After removal of noise effects (e.g., tidal movement, precipitation, and shallow groundwater level changes), the residual gravity changes, which were measured by the relative gravimeter, were subdivided into two types of responses. Gravity changes up to 90 mu gal were observed from April 2014 to July 2015. After that, gravity became stable, except for small seasonal changes.

The tectonic position of Egypt in the northeastern corner of the African continent suggests that it may possess significant geothermal resources, especially along its eastern margin. The most promising areas for geothermal development in the northwest Red Sea-Gulf of Suez rift system are located where the eastern shore of the Gulf of Suez is characterized by superficial thermal manifestations, including a cluster of hot springs with varied temperatures. Magnetotelluric and gravity-reconnaissance surveys were carried out over the geothermal region of Hammam Faraun to determine the subsurface electric resistivity and the densities that are related to rock units. These surveys were conducted along profiles. One-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) inversion model techniques were applied on the MT data, integrating the 2D inversion of gravity data. The objectives of these surveys were to determine and parameterize the subsurface source of the Hammam Faraun hot spring and to determine the origin of this spring. Based on this data, a conceptual model and numerical simulation were made of the geothermal area of Hammam Faraun. The numerical simulation succeeded in determining the characteristics of the heat sources beneath the Hammam Faraun hot spring and showed that the hot spring originates from a high heat flow and deep ground water circulation in the subsurface reservoir that are controlled by faults. These studies were followed by an assessment of the geothermal potential for electric generation from the Hammam Faraun hot spring. The value of the estimated potential is 28.34 MW, as the reservoir is assumed to be only 500 m thick. This value would be enough for the desalination of water for both human and agricultural consumption. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Beppu geothermal area, one of the largest spa resorts on the northeast Kyushu Island of Japan, is fed by hydrothermal fluids beneath the volcanic center of Mt. Garan and Mt. Tsurumi in the west. We explored the thermal status of the Beppu geothermal area using nighttime multisource satellite thermal infrared data (TIR) from the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) and Landsat 8 thermal infrared scanner (TIRS) to monitor heat loss from 2009 to 2017. We also assessed heat loss from Mt. Garan fumaroles to investigate a relationship between them. The normalized differential vegetation index (NDVI) threshold method of spectral emissivity, the split-window algorithm for land surface temperature (LST), and the Stefan-Boltzmann equation for radiative heat flux (RHF) were used to estimate heat loss in this study. Total heat loss increased by about a 35% trend overall from 2009 to 2015 and then declined about 33-42% in 2017 in both the Beppu geothermal area and Mt. Garan fumaroles overall. The higher thermal anomalies were found in 2015 mostly in the southeastern coastal area of the Beppu geothermal region. The highest thermal anomaly was obtained in 2011 and the lowest in 2017 within the Mt. Garan fumaroles. The areas with a higher range of RHF values were recorded in 2015 in both study areas. Finally, the results show similar patterns of heat loss and thermal anomalies in both the Beppu geothermal area and Mt. Garan fumaroles, indicating a closely connected geothermal system overall. This suggests that nighttime TIR data are effective for monitoring the thermal status of the Beppu geothermal area.

To evaluate the conventional methods for mapping hydrothermal altered deposits by using Landsat 7 ETM+ image in and around Kuju volcano is the prime target of our study. The Kuju volcano is a mountainous composite which consists of hornblende-andesite lava domes and associated lava flows. We used the colour composite, band ratio, principal component analysis, least square fitting and reference spectra analysis methods. The colour composite and band ratio methods showed very clearly the hydrothermal altered deposits of clay minerals, iron oxides and ferric oxides around the fumaroles. The principal component analysis using the Crosta technique also enabled us to represent undoubtedly the altered hydroxyl and iron-oxide mineral deposits of this region concentrating around the fumaroles. Least square fitting method illustrated the goethite, hematite and clay alteration region. Finally the target detection method for reference spectral analysis by using ENVI 4.3 detected the representative hydrothermal altered minerals around Kuju volcano fumaroles area. Therefore, all the methods showed high efficiency for mapping hydrothermal altered deposits especially iron-oxide minerals such as hematite, goethite and jarosite, which are alteration products of hydrothermal sulfides around the fumaroles.

To monitor heat losses using Landsat 7 thermal infrared data from 2002 to 2010 within the active fumarolic region of Kuju volcano in Japan, we used the Stefan-Boltzmann equation for radiative heat flux (RHF) estimation. Heat discharge rate (HDR) was calculated by using the relationship coefficient of RHF and HDR, obtained from two previous studies. The highest total RHF was found to be about 57.7 MW in 2002 and the lowest was about 21.1 MW in 2010. We found the highest HDR, of about 384.5 MW, in 2002 and the lowest, of about 140.8 MW, in 2010. The RHF anomalous areas were showing a declining trend during our study period. The relationship between the land surface temperature (LST) above ambient and RHF was, as expected, in a strong correlation for each result during our study period. Overall, our study was able to delineate the declining trend of heat losses that supports a previous study of similar declining trend of HDR using steam maximum diameter method from the active fumarolic region of Kuju volcano.

The Unzen geothermal field, our study area, is situated in the Shimabara Peninsula of Kyushu Island in Japan and is an area of active fumaroles.. Our prime objectives were (1) to estimate radiative heat flux (RHF), (2) to calculate approximately the heat discharge rate (HDR) using the relationship of RHF with the total heat loss derived from two geothermal field studies, and (3) finally, to monitor RHF as well as HDR in our study area using seven sets of Landsat 7 ETM + images from 2000 to 2009. We used the normalized differential vegetation index (NDVI) method for spectral emissivity estimation, the mono-window algorithm for land surface temperature (LST), and the Stefan-Boltzmann equation analyzing those satellite TIR images for RHF. We estimated that the maximum RHF was about 251 W/m(2) in 2005 and minimum was about 27 W/m(2) in 2001. The highest total RHF was about 39.1 MW in 2005 and lowest was about 12 MW in 2001 in our study region. We discovered that the estimated RHF was about 15.7 % of HDR from our studies. We applied this percentage to estimate HDR in Unzen geothermal area. The monitoring results showed a single fold trend of HDR from 2000 to 2009 with highest about 252 MW in 2005 and lowest about 78 MW in 2001. In conclusion, TIR remote sensing is thought as the best option for monitoring heat losses from fumaroles with high efficiency and low cost.

The Unzen geothermal field, our study area is active fumaroles, situated in Shimabara Peninsula of Kyushu Island in Japan. Our prime objectives were (1) to estimate radiative heat flux (RHF), (2) to calculate approximately heat discharge rate (HDR) using the relationship of radiative heat flux with the total heat loss derived from two geothermal field studies and (3) finally, to monitor RHF as well as HDR in our study area using seven sets of Landsat 7 ETM+ images from 2000 to 2009. We used the NDVI (Normalized differential vegetation index) method for spectral emissivity estimation, the mono-window algorithm for land surface temperature (LST) and the Stefan-Boltzmann equation analyzing those satellite TIR images for RHF. We obtained a desired strong correlation of LST above ambient with RHF using random samples. We estimated that the maximum RHF was about 251 W/m(2) in 2005 and minimum was about 27 W/m(2) in 2001. The highest total RHF was about 39.1 MW in 2005 and lowest was about 12 MW in 2001 in our study region. We discovered that the estimated RHF was about 15.7 % of HDR from our studies. We applied this percentage to estimate heat discharge rate in Unzen geothermal area. The monitoring results showed a single fold trend of HDR from 2000 to 2009 with highest about 252 MW in 2005 and lowest about 78 MW in 2001. In conclusion, TIR remote sensing is thought as the best option for monitoring heat losses from fumaroles with high efficiency and low cost.

Thermal remote sensing is currently an emerging technique for monitoring active volcanoes around the world. The study area, the Aso volcano, is currently the most active and has erupted almost every year since 2012. For the first time, Landsat 8 TIRS thermal data were used in this study area to evaluate and monitor the recent thermal status of this volcano, situated in Southwest Japan, from 2013 to 2016 using four sets of images. The total heat discharged rate (HDR), radiative heat flux (RHF), land surface temperature (LST), and land cover (LC) were evaluated, and the relationship between them was determined, to understand the thermal status of the study area. We used the NDVI (normalized difference vegetation index) for land cover, the NDVI-threshold method for emissivity, the split-window algorithm for LST, and the Stefan-Boltzmann equation for radiative heat flux estimation in this study. The total heat discharge rate was computed using a relationship coefficient of RHF and HDR here. The highest HDR was obtained in 2013, at about 4715 MW, and was the lowest in 2016, at about 3819 MW. The total heat loss showed a declining trend, overall, from 2013 to 2016. The highest pixel RHF was in 2013 and the lowest was in 2014; after that, it increased gradually until 2016, coinciding with the LST of this study area. LC showed that, with decreasing heat loss, the vegetated coverage increased and bare land or mixed land decreased, and vice versa. From the spatial distribution of RHF, we saw that, within the Nakadake craters of the Aso volcano, Crater 1 was the most active part of this volcano throughout the study period, and Crater 3 was the most active after 2014. We inferred that the applied methods using the continuous Landsat 8 TIRS data showed an effective and efficient method of monitoring the thermal status of this active volcano.

The Hatchobaru-Otake (HO) geothermal field is proximal to the Kuju volcano on Kyushu, Japan. There are currently three geothermal power plants operating within this geothermal field. Herein, we explore the thermal status of the HO geothermal area using ASTER thermal infrared data to monitor heat losses from 2009 to 2017. We assessed the solar effects and seasonal variation on heat losses based on day- and night-time Landsat thermal infrared images, and compared three conventional methods of land surface temperature (LST) measurements. The normalized difference vegetation index threshold method of emissivity, the split window algorithm for LST, and the Stefan-Boltzmann equation for radiative heat flux (RHF) were used to determine the heat loss within the study area. The radiative heat loss (RHL) was 0.36 MW, 38.61 MW, and 29.14 MW in 2009, 2013, and 2017, respectively, from the HO geothermal field. The highest anomaly in RHF was recorded in 2013, while the lowest was in 2009. The RHLs were higher from Otake than from the Hatchobaru thermal area in the year of 2013 (similar to 31%) and 2017 (similar to 78%). The seasonal variation in the RHLs based on all three LST estimation methods had a similar pattern, with the highest RHL (about 383-451 MW) in spring and the lowest (about 10-222 MW) in autumn for the daytime images from the HO geothermal field. In the nighttime images, the highest RHL was about 35-67 MW in autumn and the lowest was about 1-3 MW in spring, based on the three LST methods for RHFs. The highest RHL was about 35-42 MW in spring (day) and 3-7 MW in autumn (night) from the Hatchobaru thermal area, analyzed separately. Similarly, the highest RHL was about 22-25 MW in spring (day) and 4-5 MW in winter (night) from the Otake thermal area. The seasonal variation was greatly influenced by the regional ambient temperature. We also observed that clouds had a huge effect, with the highest values for both LST and RHF recorded below clouds on an autumn day. Overall, we obtained higher LSTs at nighttime and lower LSTs during the day from the improved mono-window algorithm than the split window algorithms for all of the seasons. The heat losses were also higher for the improved mono-window algorithm than the split window algorithms, based on the LST nighttime thermal infrared data. Considering the error level of the LST methods and Landsat 8 band 11, this study recommends the IWM method for LST using the Landsat 8 band 10 data. This study also suggests that both the nighttime ASTER and Landsat 8 thermal infrared data could be effective for monitoring the thermal status of the HO geothermal area, given that data is available for the entire period.