SEEBASE Geothermal

A ‘Bottom-Up’ Approach to Understanding Heat Flow

Surface heat flow is a measure of the flux of thermal power at surface and is a function of the rate of heat generated within the crust plus heat conducted from the mantle towards the surface. A ‘bottom-up’ approach, and a robust geological model, is therefore required to fully understand the entire geothermal system. By leveraging the SEEBASE® model Geognostics has developed an integrated data model and workflow incorporating an upward series of the key elements required for a full-crustal, regional geothermal system model.

The SEEBASE® model provides the underlying elements to predict heat flow and temperature away from existing measurements and to produce a spatially continuous, geologically consistent, geothermal model. The workflow integrates key geological interpretations, geological datasets, literature and available geothermal property data to develop a full-crustal geological model, including key elements such as the contribution of upper crustal radiogenic heat production, basement and upper crustal thickness, and transient heat flow resulting from relatively young tectonothermal events.

The SEEBASE Geothermal model predicts basement heat input at the base of sedimentary systems and helps to explain geothermal anomalies from a basement perspective. The combined geospatial and geological framework used in the SEEBASE® Geothermal model is comprised of custom databases, software, and geospatial geoprocessing tools, allowing for rapid integration of new data and modelling.

The result is a geodynamically consistent, spatially continuous, geothermal model allowing prediction of heat flow, and temperature at depth, away from existing control points. SEEBASE® Geothermal models provide a geological framework for understanding heat sources and geothermal systems across a region and, alongside the SEEBASE® model, provide improved inputs and boundary conditions for subsequent basin and local-scale modelling.

The SEEBASE® Geothermal model includes:

  • Mantle Heat Flow

  • Oceanic Heat Flow

  • Radiogenic Upper Crust Heat Production and Heat Flow

  • Transient Events, Transient Heat Flow, and Crustal Stretching

  • Heat Flow at Top Basement

  • Total Heat Flow

  • Geothermal Gradient and Temperature at Top Basement

  • Model Validation Tests and Notes Overlay

SEEBASE Geothermal is available part of Global SEEBASE and tailored client studies.

Simplified schematic of the SEEBASE Geothermal workflow and deliverables