The deep structure of the Larderello-Travale geothermal field from 3D microearthquake traveltime tomography

Abstract

With the aim of exploring the deep structure of the Larderello-Travale (LT) geothermal field, a high resolution 3-D tomographic inversion of microearthquake traveltimes has been performed. Results show that the deep part of the Larderello-Travale field is characterized by the presence of a structure having a velocity range of 6.0-6.5 km/s and a convex shape deepening towards the northeastern and the southeastern sides of the field. Earthquakes are mostly concentrated on the top of the high velocity structure and below the 'K horizon' implying a transition of rheological properties at depth. The reported dependence on time of ts-tp observed at one station located above an earthquake cluster suggests that the variation in pore fluid pressure might be responsible for the transition of rheological properties along the contact. In such an area, changes in pore fluid pressure might be related to time-dependent hydraulic mechanisms that are very effective in crustal rocks at elevated temperatures. Copyright 2004 by the American Geophysical Union.