Controls of Radiogenic Heat and Moho Geometry on the Thermal Setting of the Marche Region (Central Italy): An Analytical 3D Geothermal Model

Abstract

Using published cross-sections and a series of geological constraints, a 3D geological model of an important area of the Adriatic sector of peninsular Italy—i.e., the Marche region—was developed. Then, an analytical procedure, taking into account the heat rising from the mantle and the radiogenic heat produced by the crust, was applied on the pre-built structural model, in order to obtain the 3D geothermal setting of the entire region. The results highlighted the key role played by the Moho geometry, particularly as a step of ~10 km occurs between the Adriatic Moho of the subducting plate to the west and the new Tyrrhenian Moho characterizing the back-arc area to the west. The comparison between our results and available borehole data suggests a good fit between the applied analytical methodology and published datasets. A visible anomaly is located at a specific site (i.e., the coastal town of Senigallia), where it may be envisaged that fluid circulation produced a local surface heat flow increase; this makes the Senigallia area a promising feature for the possible exploitation of geothermal systems.

A Review of Groundwater Heat Pump Systems in the Italian Framework: Technological Potential and Environmental Limits

“…They completed this analysis for both geothermal power production and heat extraction: for the latter, they forecasted a magnitude of 880-1050 TWh•yr −1 by 2050, mainly to provide heat in residential and commercial sectors. Likewise, recent investigations attempted to estimate the geothermal potentials, modelling heat by analysing deep geothermal resources in various Italian regions and reconstructing heat-flow maps for different Italian regions [26][27][28][29][30]. Some of this research was carried out as part of the VIGOR project.…”

Two-Dimensional Geothermal Model of the Peruvian Andes above the Nazca Ridge Subduction

“…To obtain the surface heat flow and the isotherms, we used the analytical procedure developed by Dragoni et al [12], which was verified in different geographic zones in recent years by Basilici et al [13] and Santini et al [14,15], specifically modified for the area of study. The mathematical representation of the thermal model presented below consists of three layers of variable thickness, over a half-space (Figure 5).…”

“…The analytical approach, which served as the basis for our investigation into surface heat flow and isotherm patterns, was formulated by Dragoni et al [12]. The procedure has already been applied and validated in several geographical regions in recent years by Basilici et al [13] and Santini et al [14,15], and the results of these studies ensure its suitability and relevance for our specific research objectives. To obtain the most accurate results, the methodology has been specifically modified and adjusted for the study area through a meticulous analysis of the geological features.…”

Geological map, balanced and restored cross-sections, and 3D geological model of the Monte Fema area, Umbria-Marche Apennines (Italy)

“…This paper focuses on the Apennines fold and thrust belt, where several complexities hinder the understanding of its geometric and kinematic evolution, such as (i) across-and along-strike changes in structural style, (ii) inherited pre-orogenic deformation along with facies differences and lateral thickness variations affecting the belt evolution, and (iii) post-orogenic extensional tectonics dissecting the fold and trust belt structure (e.g., Calamita et al, 1994;Coward et al, 1999;Marchegiani et al, 1999;Deiana et al, 2002;Mazzoli et al, 2002Mazzoli et al, , 2005Butler et al, 2004Bigi & Costa Pisani, 2005;Scisciani, 2009;Tavarnelli et al, 2019). In the Apennines, however, detailed balanced (and restored) cross-sections are limited so far (Lavecchia, 1979;Barchi et al, 1988;Mazzoli et al, 2005;Santini et al, 2021), as are also 3D models depicting the (local) structural architecture (Borraccini et al, 2004), since existing models are commonly of regional significance (Barchi et al, 2021;Di Bucci et al, 2021).…”