Mapping super-critical geothermal resources in Europe

The compilation of a European database of favourable indicators of the presence of super-critical geothermal resources has been a main task in the European project IMAGE. The objective was to define areas in Europe where rocks and fluids are at super-critical condition and can be accessed by drilling. After defining three main indicators, i.e. the depth of 400 °C isotherm, the crustal thickness, and the earthquake density combined with the estimated depth of the Brittle-Ductile Transition in Europe, their spatial correlation was established by Geographic Information System (GIS) models, and a super-critical resource database was organized for Europe. By prioritizing favourable conditions using GIS spatial analysis methods, the "favourability" map of geothermal resources at super-critical condition was then obtained. The map provides a clear overview of the distribution of potential resources in Europe, based on analytical data.