Structural control on the Southern Andean Nevados de Chillán Geothermal System

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dc.article.number105380
dc.catalogadoraba
dc.contributor.authorMura, Valentina
dc.contributor.authorArancibia Hernández, Gloria Cecilia
dc.contributor.authorBrowning, John
dc.contributor.authorHealy, David
dc.contributor.authorLópez Contreras, Camila Andrea
dc.contributor.authorMorata, Diego
dc.contributor.authorMaza, Santiago
dc.contributor.authorCardona, Carlos
dc.date.accessioned2025-04-01T13:19:58Z
dc.date.available2025-04-01T13:19:58Z
dc.date.issued2025
dc.description.abstractDetailed structural analysis from representative outcrops is necessary to characterize geothermal reservoir dynamics. Here, we estimate fracture density and intensity, as well as the dimensional properties of individual fault and fracture sets in basement rocks of the Nevados de Chillán Geothermal System. We identified several important structural features that could be responsible for controlling local fluid flow; the high-angle sinistral Las Trancas Fault as well as a series of low-angle reverse faults within the Las Termas-Olla de Mote Fault system. Most fractures identified strike either NE-SW, NNE-SSW, and NNW-SSE. Analysis of fault-slip data, supported by seismicity, indicates the presence of a main transtensional regime with subhorizontal NE-trending σ1. Structures sub-parallel to the present-day local maximum horizontal stress show significant dilation tendencies, whilst NW-SE fractures are less prone to dilation. NE and E-W high angle faults could be primary conduits facilitating the upward migration of hot fluids from reservoirs within crystalline and fractured rocks. The fracture length distribution was analysed using power law, negative exponential, and log-normal distribution. The power law with a scaling exponent of about −3 provides the best fit to the data. This study advances our understanding of the structural control of the geothermal reservoir and its associated fracture-controlled fluid circulation and thereby improves the prospectivity in the region by quantifying the optimum fracture sets for fluid flow.
dc.description.funderANID/FONDECYT; Folio: 1220729
dc.description.funderCentro de Excelencia en Geotermia de los Andes (CEGA)
dc.description.funderANID/Beca Doctorado Nacional; Folio de beca: 21210890
dc.format.extent18 páginas
dc.fuente.origenORCID
dc.identifier.doi10.1016/j.jsg.2025.105380
dc.identifier.eissn1873-1201
dc.identifier.issn0191-8141
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsg.2025.105380
dc.identifier.urihttps://repositorio.uc.cl/handle/11534/103071
dc.information.autorucEscuela de Ingeniería; Arancibia Hernández, Gloria Cecilia; 0000-0003-2860-1302; 1008583
dc.information.autorucEscuela de Ingeniería; Browning, John; 0000-0001-8022-6234; 1081089
dc.information.autorucEscuela de Ingeniería; López Contreras, Camila Andrea; S/I; 1049388
dc.language.isoen
dc.nota.accesocontenido parcial
dc.revistaJournal of Structural Geology
dc.rightsacceso restringido
dc.subjectFaults and fractures
dc.subjectGeothermal reservoir
dc.subjectFluid flow
dc.subjectNevados de Chillán
dc.subjectSouthern Andes
dc.subject.ddc620
dc.subject.deweyIngenieríaes_ES
dc.titleStructural control on the Southern Andean Nevados de Chillán Geothermal System
dc.typeartículo
dc.volumen196
sipa.codpersvinculados1008583
sipa.codpersvinculados1081089
sipa.codpersvinculados1049388
sipa.trazabilidadORCID;2025-03-03
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