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Geothermal Systems

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Encyclopedia of Geochemistry

Part of the book series: Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series ((EESS))

Definition

Geothermal systems form a continuum having a wide range of geologic and thermal conditions depending on: (1) their depth and temperature (geothermal gradient); (2) the amount of natural steam and/or water they contain; and (3) the permeability and porosity of the geologic formation in which fluids flow. At one extreme are convective geothermal systems where nature provides sufficiently high temperatures, fluid content, and permeability to support convective fluid transport. At the other extreme are conduction dominated systems where fluid content and permeabilities are very low and reservoirs are at greater depth due to lower geothermal gradients. Although it is challenging to specify geologic conditions for each system, high-grade hydrothermal reservoirs are often contained in highly fractured volcanic rocks at or near tectonic plate boundaries. In contrast, conduction dominated systems are frequently associated with deeper sedimentary basins or basement rock formations...

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA

    Adam J. Hawkins & Jefferson W. Tester

  2. School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA

    Jefferson W. Tester

Authors
  1. Adam J. Hawkins
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  2. Jefferson W. Tester
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Correspondence to Adam J. Hawkins .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth, Cornell University Department of Earth, Ithaca, New York, USA

    William M. White

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Hawkins, A.J., Tester, J.W. (2016). Geothermal Systems. In: White, W. (eds) Encyclopedia of Geochemistry. Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-39193-9_106-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-39193-9_106-1

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  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-39193-9

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