Prospect Area Mapping for Geothermal Energy Exploration in Afghanistan

Abstract

One of the cleanest energy sources is geothermal. To generate electricity or to directly use as heat this sustainable resource proper investigation of reservoir characteristics is required. The purpose of this research is to determine the best prospect location of geothermal reservoirs for further investigation in Afghanistan. To achieve this goal, the geological, geophysical, and geochemical evidence maps (such as volcanic dome and rock, fault, high temperature, intrusive rock, geopressured, hot spring, and hydrothermal mineral areas) were created in GIS (Geographical Information System) ArcMap 10.1. The GIS geoprocessing tools (such as buffer, union, and intersection) were used to define the best prospect areas of geothermal energy resources. The result of this study is the first digital map of prospect areas for geothermal resources in Afghanistan. Besides known hot springs, it has determined the wide potential areas around the load centers and big cities of the country.