APPLICATION OF MICRO SEISMIC METHODS

TO GEOTHERMAL EXPLORATION

Silas M. Simiyu
 BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR A
GEOTHERMAL SYSTEM

1. Heat Source
Magma Body related to volcanic activity
Deep circulating fluids along Deep faults
May be a Radioactive plutons
2. Reservoir
Fluid availability and recharge
Pathways/conduits along which fluids will
circulate
Status of the reservoir
Liquid/water dominated
Steam/Vapour Dominated
2
SEISMIC WAVES

3
TYPE AND PROPERTIES OF SEISMIC
WAVES

4
 P and S Wave Properties

™ Compressional (P) Wave

¾ Motion through compression & dilatational
transfer of energy
¾ Propagates through solid and liquid media
Dependent on the density and Elastic Moduli

™Shear (S) Wave

¾Motion through pure shear strain.
¾Propagation is only through solid media
¾Dependent on the density and Elastic Moduli

5
 MAGNITUDE DETERMINATION

Coda Length Magnitude determination

10

P S
Vertical
5

Mc= 2log[C] + 0.00325d-0.97,

0

d = epicentral distance [km],

-5
10-10

C = duration earthquake coda [sec].

5

Radial
0
-5
10 15 20 25 -10

Transverse
5
0

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0

Time [Seconds]

6
 Effect of Media on P and S Wave
Transmission velocity 1

Media Poissons Ratio Vp Vs Vp/Vs

(σ) -Material
Strength
Liquid (Water, Low V. Low 0 Infinite (Very
Magma) High)
Ductile material Low Low Very low High
Solid Rocks High V. High V. High Normal (~1.71)

Rocks (Steam Low Low Normal Very Low

filled pores) (~1.4)

Rocks (water Normal Normal V. Low High (~2.1)

filled Pores)

7
 Effect of Media on P and S Wave
2Transmission velocity 2

Media Poissons Vp Vs Vp/Vs

Ratio (σ)
Pore Pressure Increase Increase Decrease Increase
(More fluid)
Pore Pressure Decrease Decrease Increase Decrease
(Less Fluid)
Phase Change Decrease Decrease Increase Decrease
(Liquid to vapour)
Rocks -Brittle to Decrease Decrease Drastic Normal
Ductile transition Decrease

Liquefaction Very low Decrease Tends to Zero Increase

8
 Seismic Methods

™ Active Source –Artificial Sources (Dynamite, Airgun, weight drop)

¾ Reflection Method
¾ Refraction Method
¾ Shallow Geotechnical Studies

™Passive Source –Natural Seismicity (Micro-Earthquakes)

¾Event distribution with depth
¾Wave velocity, attenuation and S-wave shadow zones
¾Active faults and permeable zones
¾S-wave shadows can indicate partial melt and magma chambers
¾Ground noise generated by the geothermal system (from boiling
and/or convective flow)
¾Hydraulic fracturing and tensile cracking of cooling intrusions
¾Volcano-Seismic Hazards analysis

9
ACTIVE SOURCE METHODS
Refraction Seismology

10
 Active Source
Kenya Rift Axis Refraction Profile

11
 Active Source
Kenya Rift Axis Refraction

12
 Active Source
Kenya Rift Axis Seismic Refraction Results

MENENGAI OLKARIA SUSWA Vp (km/s)

0
7

6
-5
Depth

4
-10
3

2
-15
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220
Distance (km)
Figure 1.2. Seismic Velocity model along the Rift axis showing high velocity zones beneath
Menengai, Olkaria and Suswa Volcanic centers based on the KRISP 1985-1990
axial model by Simiyu and Keller, 2000.

13
Active Source -Seismic Refraction
Olkaria Geothermal Field

14
Active Source -Seismic Refraction Results
Olkaria Geothermal Field

Velocity (Vp)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 OCF NEF
0 OWF
1.9 1.9
2.2
2.8
2.2 3.5 3.3

2 3.6
3.1 3.5
Depth (km)

4.3
4.2
3.8

OCF 4.3
4 4.5
NEF
4.3
6.5
OWF

6.4
Vp
6.3
6

15
 Active Source Seismic Refraction Results
Olkaria Geothermal Field

SEISMIC SECTION ACROSS OLKARIA WEST, CENTRAL AND NORTH EAST

Velocity (km/s)
OWF OCF NEF
0.0
5.6
-1.0
5.2
-2.0
Depth (km)

4.5

-3.0
3.5

-4.0 3.1

-5.0 2.7

-6.0 2.0
192000 194000 196000 198000 200000 202000 204000
Grid Eastings

16
PASSIVE SOURCE METHODS
Ground Noise Monitoring

17
 Background Noise Monitoring
Menengai Geothermal Field

MCA
MNA

MSW
MSE

MNW
MNE

Figure 2.1. Background Seismic Noise in Menengai Area: MNA, MSE, MNE, MCA, MSW and MNW

18
 APPLICATION OF WAVE PROPERTIES

™ Determine Presence of Heat Sources

¾ Seismicity Distribution With Depth
¾ Mapping of Shear Wave Attenuating Bodies
¾ Reflected Arrivals

™ Map Zones Of Reservoir Recharge

¾ Seismic Wave Spectral Analysis
¾ Seismicity Patterns & Velocity Ratio Analysis

™ Evaluate Existing Reservoir Properties

¾ Analysis of P & S wave Seismic Velocity Ratios
¾ Analysis of Poisson Ratios
19
 SCHEMATIC RIFT VALLEY GEOTHERMAL
MODEL

Lake

Reservoir Capping Rocks

Reservoir
Brittle Brittle

Ductile Ductile
Heat Source 20
 MODEL OF A GEOTHERMAL SYSTEM AND SEISMICITY
DISTRIBUTION WITH DEPTH

0
-2
-4
-6
Depth
-8
-10
-12
-14

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50

Kilometers

21
 HEAT SOURCE -OLKARIA

Event Distribution with Depth

22
EVENT DISTRIBUTION -OLKARIA
[a]

9908000
KM7

KR2
KM2
NE3 DM2
KM8 CE1

9904000
NE2

Grid Northings [m]

KM6
WE2 EP4 DM5
DM4
KR6

9900000
DM3
KM5 OS1
DM1
9896000

0 2000 4000M
188000 192000 196000 200000 204000 208000

[b] OWF OCF NEF-DOMES

0
-1
-2
Depth [km]

-3
-4
-5
-6
-7
0 2000 4000 M
-8
188000 192000 196000 200000 204000 208000
Horizontal error Vertical error
23
Event Distribution & σ with Depth at Olkaria
Heat Source and Seismic Anisotropy
Events
200
100
0
Heat Source Depth Seismic Anisotropy

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Depth [km]
Figure 3.4A. Histogram of earthquake frequency distribution with depth
POISSON'S RATIO POISSON'S RATIO
TRANSITION 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25
200

BRITTLE ZONE DUCTILE ZONE 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25

ZONE
0 0
N[20-68]W AZIMUTH
Crust Strength

1 1
100

DEPTH (KM)
2

DEPTH (KM)
3
3
4
4 N[39-7 1]E AZIMUTH
0

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 5
Depth [km] 5
Figure 3.4B. Plot of crustal strength changes with depth showing the 6
Brittle, Brittle-Ductile transition, Ductile Zone 6

24
EVENTS HYPOCENTER VARIATION
Hypocenter Variations at Olkaria
Depth
9906000

-1.5

9904000
-2.5

9902000 -3.5
Grid Northing

-4.5
9900000

-5.5
9898000

-6.5

9896000
-7.5

190000 192000 194000 196000 198000 200000 202000 204000 206000

Grid Eastings
Olkaria production wells.

25
Active Source Seismic Refraction Results
Olkaria Geothermal Field

Resistivity [Ohm-m]

40
9905000

38
36
34

OCF NEF 32
Grid Northings [m]
9903000

30
28
26
OWF
24
9901000

EPF 22
20
DOMES 18
17
9899000

14
OSF
10
5
191000 193000 195000 197000 199000 201000 203000

Grid Eastings [m]

26
Shear Wave attenuation

9915000 20
21 LAKE
NAIVASHA
4 2
SM6
9910000

DM5
OR2 1 NE3
9905000 KM8
Grid Northings

DM4 OR1
KM11 DM1
9900000 OLKARIA
OS1
KM12
LONGONOT
CALDERA
9895000

22
3
16
9890000 NAIRAGIE OR3 Event Epicenter
ENGARE Recording station
OR4
9885000
180000 185000 190000 195000 200000 205000 210000 215000 220000
Grid Eastings

27
 SHEAR WAVE ATTENUATION:
RAYPATH SECTION ACROSS OLKARIA

OR2 KM11 KM12 WE2 KM5 EP4 NE5 KM2 DM5

0

-5
EVENT 18
Depth [Km]

-10 EVENT 8 GFC

OHC
EVENT 2

-15
EVENT 13
Normal raypath
-20
Attenuated raypath
178000 182000 186000 190000 194000 198000 202000 206000 210000
Grid Eastings

28
 3D PLOT OF DEPTH TO ATTENUATING HEAT
PossibleSOURCES BENEATH
Seismic S-wave OLKARIA
attenuating AREA
Bodies [Semi-Fluidized]

NEF EPF

DOMES
OWF OW-01

29
 HEAT SOURCE -SUSWA

Event Distribution with Depth

30
 SEISMIC EVENTS DISTRIBUTION
SU02
SU07

9880000

SU15 SU06

SU08
9876000
SU04
Grid Northings [m]

SU05
SU09
SU11

9872000

SU14 SU03
SU10

9868000
SU16
SU01

SU12
SU13
9864000

196000 200000 204000 208000 212000

31
 SEISMIC SECTION SHOWING EVENT
DISTRIBUTION ACROSS SUSWA CALDERA

-----------Outer Caldera-----------
0
-Inner Caldera-

-2000

-4000
Depth (m)

-6000

-8000

-10000
196000 200000 204000 208000 212000
Grid Eastings [m]

32
 SEISMIC INTENSITY WITH DEPTH
[a] 500<depth>1500 m [b] 1500<depth>2500 m

9880000

9876000

Grid Northings [m] 9872000

9868000

9864000

196000 200000 204000 208000 212000 196000 200000 204000 208000 212000
Grid Eastings [m] Grid Eastings [m]

[c] 2500<depth>3500 m [d] dept >3500 m

9880000

9876000
Grid Northings [m]

9872000

9868000

9864000

196000 200000 204000 208000 212000 196000 200000 204000 208000 212000
Grid Eastings [m] Grid Eastings [m] 33
CONTOUR MAP OF AVERAGE EVENT DEPTH
BENEATH THE SUSWA VOLCANO
SU02 Average Event
SU07 Depth

9880000

SU15 SU06 3200

SU08
9876000
SU04 2600
SU05
SU09
SU11
2000
9872000

SU14 SU03
SU10 1400

9868000
SU16
1100
SU01

SU12
SU13
9864000 800

196000 200000 204000 208000 212000 34

SEISMIC RAYPATHS ACROSS SUSWA
CALDERA
6
W15
5 W04
1
9890000
17
W02
7

W11

3 SU02
4 8

9880000 W12
2
SU06
SU08 9
W05
W03 SU04
Grid Northings

18
W01 19
W08
24 SU14
SU10
9870000 20

15 W06 SU16

SU12
W14
W16
14
10

12
9860000 21W13

W09

16 W07
23 13
W10
22 11

9850000
185000 195000 205000 215000 225000
Grid Eastings
35
SCHEMATIC WEST-EAST SECTION ACROSS THE
SUSWA GEOTHERMAL FIELD

S-WEST Outer Caldera N-EAST

Inner Caldera
1

-3
Depth [km]

-7

-11
HEAT
SOURCE
-15
196000 200000 204000 208000 212000
Grid Eastings

36
HEAT SOURCE -MENENGAI

Event Distribution with Depth

37
MAP OF AVERAGE EVENT DEPTH BENEATH THE
MENENGAI PROSPECT
9990000

To
MN15 MN13

Ba
rin
go
-2
Majani Mingi MN12 Bahati ru
uru
ah
9985000 Ny
To
-3
MN14

-4
9980000 Kabarak MENENGAIMN09 Bahati
Grid Northings

MN10 CALDERA Settlement

MN11 -5
To MN07
Eld MN08
or
et
9975000
-7
MN06 Residential
MN04 Area
To Nairob -8
NAKURU i
9970000
MN03 URBAN AREA MN05

Lake
Rongai Nakuru Lake Nakuru
National Park
9965000MN02 MN01
160000 165000 170000 175000 180000 185000
38
Grid Eastings (m)
 SEISMIC SECTION SHOWING EVENT
DISTRIBUTION ACROSS MENENGAI CALDERA

NorthWest Olbanita Men. Caldera SouthEast

0

-2
Depth (Km)

-4

-6

-8
165000 167500 170000 172500 175000 177500 180000
Distance (M)

39
SEISMIC RAYPATHS ACROSS MENENGAI
CALDERA
9990000
MN15 MN13

MN12 Bahati

9985000

MN14

9980000
Grid Northings

MN09
MN10

MN11
MN07
MN08
9975000

MN06
MN04

9970000
MN05
MN03

9965000 MN02 MN01

160000 165000 170000 175000 180000 185000
Grid Eastings (m) 40
RESERVOIR CHARACTERIZATION
Vp/Vs Velocity Ratios

Olkaria

41
Vp/Vs AND RESERVOIR FEATURES
Pressure at 500 m.a.s.l Bars
OW-704 98
OW-703

9905000
95

OW-714
OW-710 93

Grid Northings [m]

OW-707 OW-724

OW-727 OW-723
OW-726

9904000
OW-711 OW-716 92
OW-705
OW-709
OW-722 90
OW-718
OW-713
87
9903000
82
OW-32 OW-30
78

Velocity Ratio Distribution

OW-704
OW-703
9905000

1.78

1.75
OW-714
OW-710
Grid Northings [m]

OW-707 OW-724

OW-727
1.73
OW-723
OW-726
9904000

OW-711 OW-716
OW-705 1.69
OW-709
OW-722
OW-718 1.67
OW-713

1.66
9903000

1.64
OW-32 OW-30
42
1.63
 RESISTIVITY, MAGNETICS & GRAVITY PLOTS
95 [a] Vp 1000
A RESISTIVITY (Ohm-m)
2.4

9879000
75 2.3

9874000 2.2
55

2.1
9869000
35
2.0

9864000 1.9
15
140
C RESIDUAL GRAVITY (gu) B AEROMAGNETIC (Gammas)

100 200
9879000 9879000

60
100
20 9874000
9874000

-20 0

9869000 -60 9869000

-100

-100

9864000 9864000 -200

-140 43
 STATUS OF THE RESERVOIR:
SEISMIC WAVE VELOCITIES
[a] Vp 1000 [b] Vp 2000 [c] Vp 3000
5.0
2.4
3.7
4.7
2.3
3.4
2.2 4.4

3.1
2.1 4.1

2.8
2.0 3.8

2.5
1.9 3.5

[d] Vp/Vs 1000 [e] Vp/Vs 2000 [f] Vp/Vs 3000

2.05
1.80 1.94

1.92
1.75 2.04

1.90
1.70
2.03
1.88

1.65
1.86
2.02

1.60 1.84

44
RESERVOIR COMPARISSON: Vp/Vs RATIOS
OLK-EAST SUSWA

MENENGAI OLK-NEAST

OLK-SOUTH OLK-CENTRAL

45
SEISMIC VELOCITY RATIOS IN SUSWA
GEOTHERMAL AREA (DRILL SITE)

W
F LO
IN
Vp/Vs Ratio

LD

OW
CO
9880000

FL
1.82

IN
LD
CO
1.78

9876000
Grid Northings[m]

1.74
Site 2
Inner and outer
Caldera walls
1.70
9872000
HOT
UPFLOW
Site 3 1.66
Site 1
9868000
Ou 1.62
tfl
o w
w

1.58
tflo
Ou

9864000

196000 200000 204000 208000 212000

Grid Eastings[m]
46
 SEISMIC VELOCITY RATIOS
MENENGAI GEOTHERMAL FIELD (DRILL SITE)

9990000
Vp/Vs Ratio

To
Cold Water

Ba
rin
go
ru

Co
u ru
2.0

ld
ah
9985000 Ny

W
UPFLOW To

at
er
MN02
MN03
9980000
er
at 1.7
UPFLOW W
ld
To Co
El
do
re MN01
er

9975000 t
at
W
ld
Co

1.7
To Nairo

ater
bi
9970000

Cold W
Rongai

9965000 1.5
160000 165000 170000 175000 180000 185000

Figure 5.1. Average Vp/Vs rartion variations in the Menengai study area showing proposed
test drill sites [Stars], interpreted upflow zones and fluid recharge for the system

47
VOLCANO-SEISMIC HAZARDS ANALYSIS

48
THE ‘B VALUE’ RELATIONSHIP
4.0
Menengai =1.21
Suswa =1.09
Olkaria =1.05
3.0
LOG (N)

2.0

1.0

0.0
0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0
MAGNITUDE

49
 CONCLUSIONS

Benefits of integrated application of this method

Mapping of Heat Sources

Magma Body related to volcanic activity
Reservoir Characterization
Fluid availability and recharge
Pathways/conduits along which fluids will
circulate
Status of the reservoir (Liquid/vapour)

50
THANK YOU