Geothermal Prospectivity of the Bigadic Basin and Surrounding Area, Nw Anatolia, Turkey, by the Spectral Analysis of Magnetic Data

Abstract

The Curie Point Depths (CPDs) are estimated from the spectral analysis of magnetic data in order to determine the geothermal potential of the Bigadic Basin and its surrounding region in NW Anatolia, Turkey. The estimated CPD range is from 7 to 17-18 km. The shallowest depth (7 km) lies to the north of Balikesir. The estimated geothermal gradient and heat flow values range from 33 to 80 degrees C/km, and 83 to 200 mWm(-2), respectively. All results in the study area support the previous studies from the geological or geophysical investigations for western Anatolia by other researchers. High temperatures may be resulted indirectly from the continental collision and consequent thermal relaxation and/or heating from the interiors of the Earth due to the mantle delamination or asthenospheric upwelling in response to lithospheric extension in the western Anatolia. The high heat flow and shallow CPDs can also be associated with the magmatic rocks as a consequence of the recent tectonic extension and granitoids in the studied region.