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Find the Fluid: Using Cutting Edge-sensing to Track Geothermal Fluid and Gas Migration Underneath Sulfur Springs in the Valles Caldera

Description: 

Monitoring geologic leakage from pressurized subsurface reservoirs critical to the energy transition and climate mitigation remains a difficult task. Here, we present the outline and initial results of a project starting in 2025 with the goal of using three-dimensional Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) array combined with Match Field Processing (MFP) to directly locate pressurized fracture flow that could indicate geologic leakage within test bed located in the Valles Caldera. We will use three-dimensional finite-element wavefield modelling to determine the optimal borehole and surface fiber array configuration and MFP workflow for detection of low SNR sources. Using these results, we will conduct an optimized field demonstration in a natural geothermal field in the Valles Caldera where pressurized near-surface fluid and gas migration through fractures is inferred from surface features. Because other sources of seismicity are limited, detected sources can be inferred related to fluid or gas migration and will be used to map near-surface flow pathways. Finally, we will use unsupervised learning to cluster the detected signals based on frequency content and use these properties to understand how fluid migration changes along detected flow pathways.

Session: Seismology for the Energy Transition [Poster]

Type: Poster

Date: 4/16/2025

Presentation Time: 08:00 AM (local time)

Presenting Author: Nathan

Student Presenter: No

Invited Presentation: 

Poster Number: 131

Authors