Adelaidean Basin Geothermal

Research Themes

Tectonics and Metallogeny

Geophysical

Project Investigators

Doctor Guillaume Backé

Professor David Giles

Project Colaborators

Torrens Energy

In collaboration with Torrens Energy, Doctor Guillaume Backe and Professor David Giles submitted a proposal to the Australian Geothermal Energy Group (AGEG) titled “Three-dimensional reconstruction of the Adelaide Geosyncline: Application to geothermal exploration” in September 2007.

The aim of the proposal is to produce a map of the geothermal prospectivity of the Adelaide Basin, which would be an important pre-competitive database for geothermal exploration in South Australia. The project will involve constructing a three-dimensional model of the basin using state of the art geological and geophysical interpretation and modeling techniques. In addition to the insights the model will give about the structures and evolution of the Neoproterozoic basin, it will have direct application in mineral and geothermal exploration by defining the depth to Mesoproterozoic basement and structure of the overlying sediments. It is proposed that the 3D structural model be populated with rock properties relevant to geothermal exploration (thermal conductivity, heat production, surface heat flow) in order to produce a first order 3D thermal map of the basin.  The outcome of this proposal is still unknown.

Student Sub-project

Structural and heat flow modelling of the Hallett area

Andrew Alesci (Honours 2008)