The Marsili Volcanic Seamount (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea): A Potential Offshore Geothermal Resource
Italy has a strong geothermal potential for power generation, although, at present, the only two geothermal fields being exploited are Larderello-Travale/Radicondoli and Mt. Amiata in the Tyrrhenian pre-Apennine volcanic district of Southern Tuscany. A new target for geothermal exploration and exploitation in Italy is represented by the Southern Tyrrhenian submarine volcanic district, a geologically young basin (Upper Pliocene-Pleistocene) characterised by tectonic extension where many seamounts have developed. Heat-flow data from that area show significant anomalies comparable to those of onshore geothermal fields. Fractured basaltic rocks facilitate seawater infiltration and circulation of hot water chemically altered by rock/water interactions, as shown by the widespread presence of hydrothermal deposits. The persistence of active hydrothermal activity is consistently shown by many different sources of evidence, including: heat-flow data, gravity and magnetic anomalies, widespread presence of hydrothermal-derived gases (CO<sub>2</sub>, CO, CH<sub>4</sub>), <sup>3</sup>He/<sup>4</sup>He isotopic ratios, as well as broadband OBS/H seismological information, which demonstrates persistence of volcano-tectonic events and High Frequency Tremor (HFT). The Marsili and Tyrrhenian seamounts are thus an important—and likely long-lasting-renewable energy resource. This raises the possibility of future development of the world’s first offshore geothermal power plant.
Year of publication: |
2014
|
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Authors: | Italiano, Francesco ; Santis, Angelo De ; Favali, Paolo ; Rainone, Mario Luigi ; Rusi, Sergio ; Signanini, Patrizio |
Published in: |
Energies. - MDPI, Open Access Journal, ISSN 1996-1073. - Vol. 7.2014, 7, p. 4068-4086
|
Publisher: |
MDPI, Open Access Journal |
Subject: | geothermal energy exploration | Italy | Marsili | volcanic seamount | offshore |
Saved in:
freely available
Extent: | application/pdf text/html |
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Type of publication: | Article |
Classification: | Q - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics ; Q0 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics. General ; Q4 - Energy ; Q40 - Energy. General ; Q41 - Demand and Supply ; Q42 - Alternative Energy Sources ; Q43 - Energy and the Macroeconomy ; q47 ; Q48 - Government Policy ; Q49 - Energy. Other |
Source: |
Persistent link: https://www.econbiz.de/10011031438
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