Magnetotellurics

GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

Exploration Technique: Magnetotellurics

Details

Activities (44)

Areas (37)

Regions (5)

NEPA(8)

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Exploration Technique Information
Exploration Group:	Geophysical Techniques
Exploration Sub Group:	Electrical Techniques
Parent Exploration Technique:	Magnetotelluric Techniques
Information Provided by Technique
Lithology:	Rock composition, mineral and clay content
Stratigraphic/Structural:	Detection of permeable pathways, fracture zones, faults
Hydrological:	Resistivity influenced by porosity, grain size distribution, permeability, fluid saturation, fluid type and phase state of the pore water
Thermal:	Resistivity influenced by temperature
Cost Information
Low-End Estimate (USD):	522.2252,222 centUSD <br />0.522 kUSD <br />5.2222e-4 MUSD <br />5.2222e-7 TUSD <br /> / station
Median Estimate (USD):	1,738.83173,883 centUSD <br />1.739 kUSD <br />0.00174 MUSD <br />1.73883e-6 TUSD <br /> / station
High-End Estimate (USD):	2,297.62229,762 centUSD <br />2.298 kUSD <br />0.0023 MUSD <br />2.29762e-6 TUSD <br /> / station
Time Required
Low-End Estimate:	1.67 days0.00457 years <br />40.08 hours <br />0.239 weeks <br />0.0549 months <br /> / 10 stn
Median Estimate:	3.77 days0.0103 years <br />90.48 hours <br />0.539 weeks <br />0.124 months <br /> / 10 stn
High-End Estimate:	7.50 days0.0205 years <br />180 hours <br />1.071 weeks <br />0.246 months <br /> / 10 stn
Additional Info
Cost/Time Dependency:	Location, Size, Resolution, Terrain, Weather

Magnetotellurics:

Magnetotellurics (MT) is a natural-source (i.e., passive), electromagnetic method that measures the ratio of earth’s naturally varying electric and magnetic fields over a wide range of frequencies to determine the resistivity structure of the subsurface (Reynolds, 1997).

Other definitions:Wikipedia Reegle

Introduction

Property "IntroText" (as page type) with input value "See Magnetotelluric Techniques</br>MT is currently the resistivity method of choice for many geothermal exploration companies due in large part to its superior range of depth of penetration (several tens of meters to several tens of kilometers) over other resistivity methods." contains invalid characters or is incomplete and therefore can cause unexpected results during a query or annotation process. See Magnetotelluric Techniques

MT is currently the resistivity method of choice for many geothermal exploration companies due in large part to its superior range of depth of penetration (several tens of meters to several tens of kilometers) over other resistivity methods.

Use in Geothermal Exploration

Property "GeoUse" (as page type) with input value "See Electrical Techniques: Use in Geothermal Exploration</br>In geothermal applications MT can be used to delineate the resource by indirectly mapping the smectite clay ring (where low temperature clay alteration transits to more resistive higher temperature alteration) that typically exists around a geothermal resource. MT is commonly used in the volcanic settings (such as the Cascades Region), because most projects are relatively deep, and most successful conventional resources will have a thick clay cap." contains invalid characters or is incomplete and therefore can cause unexpected results during a query or annotation process. See Electrical Techniques: Use in Geothermal Exploration

In geothermal applications MT can be used to delineate the resource by indirectly mapping the smectite clay ring (where low temperature clay alteration transits to more resistive higher temperature alteration) that typically exists around a geothermal resource. MT is commonly used in the volcanic settings (such as the Cascades Region), because most projects are relatively deep, and most successful conventional resources will have a thick clay cap.

Related Techniques

Property "Subcategories" (as page type) with input value "</br></br></br>* Electrical Techniques</br>** Direct-Current Resistivity Survey</br>*** Electrical Profiling Configurations</br>**** DC Resistivity Survey (Dipole-Dipole Array)</br>**** DC Resistivity Survey (Mise-A-La-Masse)</br>**** DC Resistivity Survey (Pole-Dipole Array)</br>*** Vertical Electrical Sounding Configurations</br>**** DC Resistivity Survey (Schlumberger Array)</br>**** DC Resistivity Survey (Wenner Array)</br>** Electromagnetic Techniques</br>*** Airborne Electromagnetic Survey</br>*** Ground Electromagnetic Techniques</br>**** Electromagnetic Profiling Techniques</br>***** Frequency-Domain Electromagnetic Survey</br>**** Electromagnetic Sounding Techniques</br>***** Magnetotelluric Techniques</br>****** Audio-Magnetotellurics</br>****** Controlled Source Audio MT</br>****** Magnetotellurics</br>****** Z-Axis Tipper Electromagnetics</br>***** Telluric Survey</br>***** Time-Domain Electromagnetics</br>** [[:Self Potential|Self Potential" contains invalid characters or is incomplete and therefore can cause unexpected results during a query or annotation process.

• Electrical Techniques
  • Direct-Current Resistivity Survey
    • Electrical Profiling Configurations
      • DC Resistivity Survey (Dipole-Dipole Array)
      • DC Resistivity Survey (Mise-A-La-Masse)
      • DC Resistivity Survey (Pole-Dipole Array)
    • Vertical Electrical Sounding Configurations
      • DC Resistivity Survey (Schlumberger Array)
      • DC Resistivity Survey (Wenner Array)
  • Electromagnetic Techniques
    • Airborne Electromagnetic Survey
    • Ground Electromagnetic Techniques
      • Electromagnetic Profiling Techniques
        • Frequency-Domain Electromagnetic Survey
      • Electromagnetic Sounding Techniques
        • Magnetotelluric Techniques
          • Audio-Magnetotellurics
          • Controlled Source Audio MT
          • Magnetotellurics
          • Z-Axis Tipper Electromagnetics
        • Telluric Survey
        • Time-Domain Electromagnetics
  • Self Potential

Field Procedures

A magnetotelluric survey consists of electric and magnetic measurements at the earth's surface.

Typical layout for a standard MT recording station, indicating relative electrode line and induction magnetometer positions.

Physical Properties

See Magnetotelluric Techniques; Electrical Techniques

Data Access and Acquisition

Metronix ADU07 data logger.

Magnetotelluric time series with each recorded channel indicated. Ex and Ey are the electrical measurements while Hx, Hy and Hz are the three components of the magnetic field measurements.

Potential Pitfalls

See Magnetotelluric Techniques

Additional References

http://178.63.62.205/mtxgeo/images/brochures/FlyerMFS-06e_en_v33.pdf

http://178.63.62.205/mtxgeo/images/brochures/FlyerADU07e_en_v33.pdf

References

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Page	Area	Activity Start Date	Activity End Date	Reference Material
Magnetotellurics (Laney, 2005)	Unspecified			Federal Geothermal Research Program Update - Fiscal Year 2004
Magnetotellurics (Muse, 1973)	Unspecified			A Five-Component Magneto-Telluric Method In Geothermal Exploration- The Mt-5-Ex
Magnetotellurics At Akutan Fumaroles Area (Kolker, Et Al., 2010)	Akutan Fumaroles Area			Geothermal Exploration At Akutan, Alaska- Favorable Indications For A High-Enthalpy Hydrothermal Resource Near A Remote Market
Magnetotellurics At Alum Area (DOE GTP)	Alum Geothermal Area			GTP ARRA Spreadsheet
Magnetotellurics At Beowawe Hot Springs Area (Garg, Et Al., 2007)	Beowawe Hot Springs Area			Use Of Electrical Surveys For Geothermal Reservoir Characterization- Beowawe Geothermal Field
Magnetotellurics At Brady Hot Springs Area (Combs 2006)	Brady Hot Springs Area			Historical Exploration And Drilling Data From Geothermal Prospects And Power Generation Projects In The Western United States
Magnetotellurics At Central Nevada Seismic Zone Region (Pritchett, 2004)	Central Nevada Seismic Zone Geothermal Region			Finding Hidden Geothermal Resources In The Basin And Range Using Electrical Survey Techniques- A Computational Feasibility Study
Magnetotellurics At Coso Geothermal Area (2004)	Coso Geothermal Area	2004	2004	3D Magnetotelluic characterization of the Coso Geothermal Field Further Analysis of 3D Magnetotelluric Measurements Over the Coso Geothermal Field MAGNETOTELLURIC SURVEYING AND MONITORING AT THE COSO GEOTHERMAL AREA, CALIFORNIA, IN SUPPORT OF THE ENHANCED GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS CONCEPT: SURVEY PARAMETERS AND INITIAL RESULTS Three-dimensional magnetotelluric characterization of the Coso geothermal field
Magnetotellurics At Coso Geothermal Area (2006)	Coso Geothermal Area	2006	2006	Three-Dimensional Inversion of Magnetotelluric Data on a PC, Methodology and Applications to the Coso Geothermal Field
Magnetotellurics At Cove Fort Area (Toksoz, Et Al, 2010)	Cove Fort Geothermal Area			Geothermal Resources Exploration And Assessment Around The Cove Fort-Sulphurdale Geothermal Field In Utah By Multiple Geophysical Imaging
Magnetotellurics At Dixie Hot Springs Area (Combs 2006)	Dixie Hot Springs Area			Historical Exploration And Drilling Data From Geothermal Prospects And Power Generation Projects In The Western United States
Magnetotellurics At Dixie Valley Geothermal Area (Iovenitti, Et Al., 2013)	Dixie Valley Geothermal Area	2012	2012	Egs Exploration Methodology Project Using the Dixie Valley Geothermal System, Nevada, Status Update Intersecting Fault Trends and Crustal-Scale Fluid Pathways Below the Dixie Valley Geothermal Area, Nevada, Inferred from 3d Magnetotelluric Surveying
Magnetotellurics At Dixie Valley Geothermal Area (Laney, 2005)	Dixie Valley Geothermal Area	2003	2003	Federal Geothermal Research Program Update - Fiscal Year 2004 Initial Results of Magnetotelluric Array Surveying at the Dixie Valley Geothermal Area, with Implications for Structural Controls and Hydrothermal Alteration
Magnetotellurics At Dixie Valley Geothermal Area (Wannamaker, Et Al., 2006)	Dixie Valley Geothermal Area	2006	2006	Cryptic Faulting and Multi-Scale Geothermal Fluid Connections in the Dixie Valley-Central Nevada Seismic Belt Area- Implications from Mt Resistivity Surveying Possible Magmatic Input to the Dixie Valley Geothermal Field, and Implications for District-Scale Resource Exploration, Inferred from Magnetotelluric (MT) Resistivity Surveying
Magnetotellurics At Dixie Valley Geothermal Area (Wannamaker, Et Al., 2007)	Dixie Valley Geothermal Area	2006	2007	Integrated Dense Array and Transect MT Surveying at Dixie Valley Geothermal Area, Nevada- Structural Controls, Hydrothermal Alteration and Deep Fluid Sources
Magnetotellurics At Glass Mountain Area (Cumming And Mackie, 2007)	Glass Mountain Geothermal Area			3D Mt Resistivity Imaging For Geothermal Resource Assessment And Environmental Mitigation At The Glass Mountain Kgra, California
Magnetotellurics At Grass Valley Area (Morrison, Et Al., 1979)	Grass Valley Area			Magnetotelluric Studies In Grass Valley, Nevada
Magnetotellurics At International Geothermal Area, Indonesia (Laney, 2005)	International Geothermal Area Indonesia			Federal Geothermal Research Program Update - Fiscal Year 2004
Magnetotellurics At Jemez Pueblo Area (DOE GTP)	Jemez Pueblo Area			GTP ARRA Spreadsheet
Magnetotellurics At Kilauea East Rift Geothermal Area (Laney, 2005)	Kilauea East Rift Geothermal Area	2003	2004	Federal Geothermal Research Program Update - Fiscal Year 2004
Magnetotellurics At Kilauea Southwest Rift And South Flank Area (Laney, 2005)	Kilauea Southwest Rift And South Flank Area			Federal Geothermal Research Program Update - Fiscal Year 2004
Magnetotellurics At Long Valley Caldera Geothermal Area (Hermance, Et Al., 1988)	Long Valley Caldera Geothermal Area	1988	1991	New Evidence On The Hydrothermal System In Long Valley Caldera, California, From Wells, Fluid Sampling, Electrical Geophysics, And Age Determinations Of Hot-Spring Deposits The Long Valley/Mono Basin Volcanic Complex: A Preliminary Magnetotelluric and Magnetic Variation Interpretation Magnetotelluric Transect of Long Valley Caldera: Resistivity Cross Section, Structural Implications, and the Limits of a 2-D Analysis
Magnetotellurics At Long Valley Caldera Geothermal Area (Nordquist, 1987)	Long Valley Caldera Geothermal Area		1986	New Evidence On The Hydrothermal System In Long Valley Caldera, California, From Wells, Fluid Sampling, Electrical Geophysics, And Age Determinations Of Hot-Spring Deposits Mapping the Hydrothermal System Beneath the Western Moat of Long Valley Caldera Using Magnetotelluric and Time-domain Electromagnetic Measurements A Systematic Approach to the Interpretation of Magnetotelluric Data in Volcanic Environments with Applications to the Quest for Magma in Long Valley, California
Magnetotellurics At Mccoy Geothermal Area (DOE GTP)	Mccoy Geothermal Area			GTP ARRA Spreadsheet
Magnetotellurics At Mcgee Mountain Area (DOE GTP)	Mcgee Mountain Area			GTP ARRA Spreadsheet
Magnetotellurics At New River Area (DOE GTP)	New River Area			GTP ARRA Spreadsheet
Magnetotellurics At Newberry Caldera Area (DOE GTP)	Newberry Caldera Area			GTP ARRA Spreadsheet
Magnetotellurics At Northern Basin & Range Region (Pritchett, 2004)	Northern Basin and Range Geothermal Region			Finding Hidden Geothermal Resources In The Basin And Range Using Electrical Survey Techniques- A Computational Feasibility Study
Magnetotellurics At Nw Basin & Range Region (Pritchett, 2004)	Northwest Basin and Range Geothermal Region			Finding Hidden Geothermal Resources In The Basin And Range Using Electrical Survey Techniques- A Computational Feasibility Study
Magnetotellurics At Raft River Geothermal Area (1977)	Raft River Geothermal Area	1977	1977	Geothermal significance of magnetotelluric sounding in the eastern Snake River Plain-Yellowstone Region
Magnetotellurics At Rio Grande Rift Region (Aiken & Ander, 1981)	Rio Grande Rift Geothermal Region			A Regional Strategy For Geothermal Exploration With Emphasis On Gravity And Magnetotellurics
Magnetotellurics At Roosevelt Hot Springs Area (Combs 2006)	Roosevelt Hot Springs Area			Historical Exploration And Drilling Data From Geothermal Prospects And Power Generation Projects In The Western United States
Magnetotellurics At Roosevelt Hot Springs Geothermal Area (Ward, Et Al., 1978)	Roosevelt Hot Springs Geothermal Area	1978	1978	A Summary of the Geology, Geochemistry, and Geophysics of the Roosevelt Hot Springs Thermal Area, Utah
Magnetotellurics At Salt Wells Area (Bureau of Land Management, 2009)	Salt Wells Geothermal Area	2008	2008	Salt Wells Geothermal Exploratory Drilling Program EA (DOI-BLM-NV-C010-2009-0006-EA)
Magnetotellurics At Silver Peak Area (DOE GTP)	Silver Peak Area			GTP ARRA Spreadsheet
Magnetotellurics At Socorro Mountain Area (Owens, Et Al., 2005)	Socorro Mountain Area			New Methods In Exploration At The Socorro Peak Kgra- A Gred Iii Project
Magnetotellurics At Soda Lake Area (Combs 2006)	Soda Lake Area			Historical Exploration And Drilling Data From Geothermal Prospects And Power Generation Projects In The Western United States
Magnetotellurics At Stillwater Area (Laney, 2005)	Stillwater Area			Federal Geothermal Research Program Update - Fiscal Year 2004
Magnetotellurics At Truckhaven Area (Layman Energy Associates, 2010)	Truckhaven Area			Final Scientific - Technical Report, Geothermal Resource Exploration Program, Truckhaven Area, Imperial County, California
Magnetotellurics At Truckhaven Area (Warpinski, Et Al., 2004)	Truckhaven Area			Geothermal Resource Exploration And Definition Projects
Magnetotellurics At U.S. West Region (Aiken & Ander, 1981)	U.S. West Region			A Regional Strategy For Geothermal Exploration With Emphasis On Gravity And Magnetotellurics
Magnetotellurics At Valles Caldera - Redondo Geothermal Area (Wilt & Haar, 1986)	Valles Caldera - Redondo Geothermal Area		1986	A Geological And Geophysical Appraisal Of The Baca Geothermal Field, Valles Caldera, New Mexico
Magnetotellurics At Valles Caldera - Sulphur Springs Geothermal Area (Wilt & Haar, 1986)	Valles Caldera - Sulphur Springs Geothermal Area		1986	A Geological And Geophysical Appraisal Of The Baca Geothermal Field, Valles Caldera, New Mexico
Magnetotellurics At Walker-Lane Transitional Zone Region (Pritchett, 2004)	Walker-Lane Transition Zone Geothermal Region			Finding Hidden Geothermal Resources In The Basin And Range Using Electrical Survey Techniques- A Computational Feasibility Study

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1. Unspecified
2. Akutan Fumaroles Area
3. Alum Geothermal Area
4. Beowawe Hot Springs Area
5. Brady Hot Springs Area
6. Central Nevada Seismic Zone Geothermal Region
7. Coso Geothermal Area
8. Cove Fort Geothermal Area
9. Dixie Hot Springs Area
10. Dixie Valley Geothermal Area
11. Glass Mountain Geothermal Area
12. Grass Valley Area
13. International Geothermal Area Indonesia
14. Jemez Pueblo Area
15. Kilauea East Rift Geothermal Area
16. Kilauea Southwest Rift And South Flank Area
17. Long Valley Caldera Geothermal Area
18. Mccoy Geothermal Area
19. Mcgee Mountain Area
20. New River Area
21. Newberry Caldera Area
22. Northern Basin and Range Geothermal Region
23. Northwest Basin and Range Geothermal Region
24. Raft River Geothermal Area
25. Rio Grande Rift Geothermal Region
26. Roosevelt Hot Springs Area
27. Roosevelt Hot Springs Geothermal Area
28. Salt Wells Geothermal Area
29. Silver Peak Area
30. Socorro Mountain Area
31. Soda Lake Area
32. Stillwater Area
33. Truckhaven Area
34. U.S. West Region
35. Valles Caldera - Redondo Geothermal Area
36. Valles Caldera - Sulphur Springs Geothermal Area
37. Walker-Lane Transition Zone Geothermal Region

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1. Central Nevada Seismic Zone Geothermal Region
2. Northern Basin and Range Geothermal Region
3. Northwest Basin and Range Geothermal Region
4. Rio Grande Rift Geothermal Region
5. Walker-Lane Transition Zone Geothermal Region

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Document #	Analysis Type	Applicant	Geothermal Area	Lead Agency	District Office	Field Office	Mineral Manager	Surface Manager	Development Phase(s)	Techniques
DOI-BLM-NV-B020-2010-0106-CX	CX	Sierra Geothermal Power	Alum Geothermal Area	Bureau of Land Management	BLM Battle Mountain District Office		Bureau of Land Management	Bureau of Land Management	Geothermal/Exploration	Magnetotellurics Z-Axis Tipper Electromagnetics Slim Holes Hyperspectral Imaging Magnetic Techniques
NVN-084629	CU	Vulcan Energy	Patua Geothermal Area	BLM Nevada State Office	BLM Winnemucca District Office	BLM Humboldt River Field Office	Bureau of Land Management	Bureau of Land Management	Geothermal/Exploration	Magnetotellurics
NVN-086285	CU	Magma Energy	Desert Peak Geothermal Area	Bureau of Land Management	BLM Winnemucca District Office	BLM Humboldt River Field Office	Bureau of Land Management	Bureau of Land Management	Geothermal/Exploration	Magnetotellurics
NVN-086286	CU	Magma Energy	Desert Queen Geothermal Area	BLM Nevada State Office	BLM Winnemucca District Office	BLM Humboldt River Field Office	Bureau of Land Management	Bureau of Land Management	Geothermal/Exploration	Magnetotellurics
NVN-086761	CU	Colado Project, LLC		BLM Nevada State Office	BLM Winnemucca District Office	BLM Humboldt River Field Office	Bureau of Land Management	Bureau of Land Management	Geothermal/Exploration	Magnetotellurics
NVN-087791	CU	TGP Dixie Development Company	New York Canyon Geothermal Area	BLM Nevada State Office	BLM Winnemucca District Office	BLM Humboldt River Field Office	Bureau of Land Management	Bureau of Land Management	Geothermal/Exploration	Magnetotellurics
NVN-087811	CU	TGP Dixie Development Co	New York Canyon Geothermal Area	BLM Nevada State Office	BLM Winnemucca District Office	BLM Humboldt River Field Office	Bureau of Land Management	Bureau of Land Management	Geothermal/Exploration	Magnetotellurics
NVN-89306	CU	Terra Gen Dixie Valley Development Co		BLM Nevada State Office	BLM Winnemucca District Office	BLM Humboldt River Field Office	Bureau of Land Management	Bureau of Land Management	Geothermal/Exploration	Magnetotellurics

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