A recent magnetotelluric investigation of the Sabalan geothermal field in north-western Iran

Magnetotelluric measurements of the Sabalan geothermal field in north-western Iran could clearly highlight the geothermal reservoirs. This study is aimed at delineating the shallow as well as deeper conductive anomalies related to the geothermal systems in the Sabalan area. Dimensionality analysis showed a two-dimensional (2D) behavior for the data, and therefore 2D inversion was performed. The resistivity sections showed that the Sabalan geothermal system is in agreement with the results of Johnston et al. (1992), in which thick conductive layers are found close to the surface. Two reservoirs have been located. The main reservoir is located in the western side of the Sabalan volcano, extending from south and SW of the Sabalan summit towards the west and Moeil valley. The dimensions of this reservoir are approximately two times greater than the estimated volume that resulted from earlier studies. The other reservoir, with smaller dimensions, is located to the north of the peak.