Abstract. During the past 25 yr, nearly all available electromagnetic and geoelectric techniques have been tested for their usefulness in geothermal exploration and exploitation. Dipole-dipole profiling, audiomagnetotellurics and controlled source electromagnetic methods are examples of those which have proven to be rather efficient for geothermal exploration. From the hundreds of field surveys which have been performed in many geothermal regions of the world, a large variety of geothermal regions and local geothermal systems, with different geological, hydrological and heat transfer characteristics, has been found to exist. Depending on the combination of these different characteristics each geothermal region or system presents a new problem which may need a different field technique or group of field techniques for optimal exploration. Despite these problems, new geothermal regions have been detected and structures and processes in geothermal systems are now much better understood. For example, advances have been made in the study of (a) the characteristics of porous/permeable hot water/vapor reservoirs and of fractioned zones for hot water/vapor circulation and production (b) the distribution and movement of cold meteoric and of hot water (c) the thermal insulation of reservoirs by cap-rocks (d) convective and/or conductive heat transfer and (e) the thermal influence of magma intrusions to high crustal levels.New exploration techniques, data analysis procedures and model calculations have been developed in the course of research in geothermal areas. They include the controlled source electromagnetic methods, the remote reference field technique and the development of better and faster algorithms for direct and inverse model calculations. Problems for the future are (a) the development and improvement of equipment and field techniques for more precise delineation and resolution of the conductivity distribution in geothermal areas especially those with productive zones of high porosity/permeability and fracturing, (b) the improvement of computerised data analysis in the field to optimise progress during the field measurements and (c) the development of more efficient interpretation procedures for the rather inhomogeneous conductivity distribution which exists in most geothermal areas.
