Geothermal GIS Models

GIS models are developed at the Great Basin Center to reveal zones of favorable geothermal potential. This page shows the Geothermal Favorability Map, which combines five evidence layers into one predictive map. See available data downloads in the list to the right:

 

 

Multiple geologic and geophysical factors correlate with geothermal activity, among them crustal strain, heat flow, proximity to fault systems, recent seismicity, and Quaternary-to-Recent felsic intrusions. Mark Coolbaugh and Rick Zehner put these diverse data into a Geographic Information System (GIS) where it may be viewed and analyzed spatially. 

 
GIS Modeling Pubs + Pres (GBCGE)
Favorability GIS Data, individual (GBCGE)
Favorability GIS Data, geodatabase (GBCGE)
Favorability GIS Map, 2005 (GBCGE)
Favorability PDF Map, 2005 (GBCGE)
Favorability Data Layers GIS Map (GBCGE)
Favorability and Exploration Map (GBCGE)
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two interactive versions of the 2005 Favorability Map are available for viewing and download:

(A) includes all visible layers on the published favorability map

(B) includes five map input layers, for comparison with the predictive layer

A 2003 prototype of the Favorability Map uses similar methodology: weights of evidence and logistic regression, based on five evidence layers.

We compared five evidence layers with known high-temperature geothermal systems (using Weights of Evidence models and logistic regression).  The resulting 2005 Favorability Map is a predictive model of geothermal potential.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(B)

(A)