Geothermal gradient variation in the Büyük Menderes Graben: implications for geothermal potential of the graben, Western Anatolia, Türkiye

The Buyuk Menderes Graben (BMG) is an E-W oriented active extensional geothermal basin within the Menderes Massif, a metamorphic core complex, in Western Anatolia, Turkey. 1500 (megawatts -energy) MWe of installed geothermal capacity for power production exist as of December 2019 in Western Anatolia, mostly generated in the BMG. While the BMG is a vastly producing geothermal resource, it is predicted that it has higher production potential. This study aims to a) quantitatively test the geothermal gradients in the Aydin-Incirliova-Osmanbuku Geothermal Field (IGF), and b) compare the IGF with a neighboring geothermal field. This study also aims to compare the IGF with a neighboring geothermal field. To complete this study, information from stratigraphic columns, bottom hole temperatures, and continuous temperature logs from 13 geothermal wells is utilized with Leapfrog Geothermal to create 3D models of the geology and subsurface temperature distribution. Then, isothermal contour maps of the field are created. The geologic modeling suggests that synextensional deposition has occurred within the graben. The temperature modeling suggests both that thermal breakthrough may have occurred in the field, and that the IGF has a higher geothermal gradient than the nearby Germencik Geothermal Field.