Procedure to construct three-dimensional models of geothermal areas using seismic noise cross-correlations: Application to the soultz-sous-forêts enhanced geothermal site

Abstract

The aim of this work is to assess the feasibility of the noise-cross correlation tomography method for imaging and detecting potential geothermal reservoirs even in highly urbanised areas. We tested the noise correlation method to reconstruct the shape of the Soutlz-sous- Forêts enhanced geothermal system (northern Alsace, France). We inverted Rayleigh waves (RWs) reconstructed from cross-correlations of 15 months of ambient seismic noise recorded by a seismic array installed around the Soutlz geothermal power plant. By correlating noise records between 22 receivers, we reconstructed RWs with sufficient signal-to-noise ratio for 231 interstation paths. The reconstructed waveforms were used to estimate group velocity dispersion curves at periods between 1.0 and 5.0 s. The results were inverted for 2-D group velocity maps, and finally for a 3-D S-wave velocity model from 0 to 5.2 km depth. Our results clearly show the presence of low velocity bodies in the crystalline basement below the Soultz power plant at depth of 4-5 km, and at shallower depth (2.5-3.5 km) beneath the Rittershoffen and Woerth villages. These observations, in agreement with some previous studies, confirm that our procedure is suitable for geothermal exploration. Furthermore, the model presented here provides some suggestions to improve the existing geothermal power plant and inferences for further explorations in the area. © The Authors 2013. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Royal Astronomical Society.