Magnetotelluric investigation of the geothermal anomaly in Hailin, Mudanjiang, northeastern China

To study the occurrence conditions and locations of geothermal bodies in Hailin, Mudanjiang, northeastern China, we conducted a magnetotelluric investigation to delineate the electrical conductivity structure of the area on three parallel profiles. The area to the west of the Mudanjiang Fault lies in the Hailang sag of the Ning'an Basin. The data were processed using the mutual reference technique, static shift correction, and structural strike and dimensionality analysis based on tensor decomposition. Moreover, a modified anisotropic-diffusion-based method was used to suppress noise for the magnetotelluric time series data. This method retains the advantages of conventional anisotropic diffusion and is superior in its discrimination ability. The method is characteristic not only of the inherited features such as intra-region smoothing and edge preservation, but also of the adaptive selection of the diffusion coefficient. Data analysis revealed that the electrical resistivity structure can be approximated by a two-dimensional characterization. Two-dimensional inversion and rendering visualization show that a highly resistive granite basement is covered with conductive sedimentary layers and that a relatively low-resistivity anomalous structure with a resistivity of approximately 100-600 Ω·m is imbedded in the high-resistivity background. The anomalous structure has a narrow top and a wide bottom (the bottom depth is at least 3500 m). The shape and electrical features of the structure indicate favorable storage space for hot subsurface water. Fault activities and magma intrusion may result in the fractures of the basement, which are filled with hot water and thus produce the relatively low resistivity. Based on a comprehensive analysis, we infer that the structure is indicative of a geothermal reservoir. An exploratory well drilled near the structure confirms the occurrence of high temperatures. Several geological factors (cap rock, basement, and major faults) determine the favorable geothermal conditions of the reservoir. Large areas of granite form the major thermal source for the study area. The Mudanjiang and Hailang River Faults and their subsidiary faults provide another heat source and movement channels.