Potential of Airborne Remote Sensing for Geothermal Resource Exploration:

A Case Study of Pilgrim Hot Springs, Alaska

Anupma Prakash1,2

Christian Haselwimmer1

Gwen Holdmann3

1Geophysical Institute, UAF

2Dept. of Geology & Geophysics, UAF 3Alaska Center for Energy & Power, UAF

AAPG 2011 Anchorage, Alaska. Wednesday May 11. 1.30 – 4.30pm

Contents • Geothermal systems • Science questions • Exploration approach • About Pilgrim, AK • Fall 2010 airborne survey • Spring 2011 airborne survey • Going further

A Geothermal System

Source: www.geothermal-energy.org

Remote Sensing Questions

• Geothermal Indicators: • springs, pools, elevated temperatures • alteration minerals • vegetation anomalies • snow melt anomalies

• Automating processing for large systems • rapid assessment / inventory

• Thermal imagery -> production capacity?

Remote Sensing Based Exploration Approach

Study Area

In-situ FLIR image of hot-tub

Ground target for geo-registration of airborne FLIR

Field Surveys

Vegetation Anomalies

World View 2 (50cm resolution; May 2010)

Accomplishments, Results and Progress Thermal Anomalies

Accomplishments, Results and Progress Thermal Anomalies

Thermal Anomalies

Pilgrim

Power Generation

from Geothermal Resources Worldwide

Questions ?

prakash@ gi.alaska.edu