Investigation of the Extent of the Geothermal Resource South of MT. Longonot Volcano Using Gravity and Magnetics, Kenya

Abstract

Geothermal energy is increasingly becoming an important source of electricity generation in Kenya. The country has prominent Geodynamic features such as the Rift Valley which gives rise to high temperature magmatic heat sources and hydrothermal reservoirs which can be exploited to produce geothermal energy for power generation and direct heating. Identifying and delineating this resource can be done using combined appropriate Geological, Geochemical and Geophysical methods. The main objective of geothermal exploration is to obtain from surface studies adequate information about the promising features of a prospective geothermal system and therefore reducing uncertainties before embarking on costly and risky drilling. The main objective of this research was to investigate the extent of the geothermal resource to the South of Longonot Volcano using gravity and magnetic data that was availed by Kenya Electricity Generating Company.  Surfer 11 software was used to process and analyse the data, presence of bodies with high density contrast and high susceptibility contrast were revealed. The research identified three potential wells in the study area.