Evaluating the Hot springs in north Oman, heat source and potential of geothermal energy

Several hot springs in northern Oman can potentially provide an important secondary source of energy if several geo/hydrogeological and structural aspects are adequately understood. Hydrochemical and hydro/geological investigations will be conducted during this study to conceptualize the regional distribution of several hot springs along the northern Oman and to understand the causes of elevated geothermal gradient and to assess their energy source potential in the region. Field observations have indicated that all the hot springs in the study area lies along the regional frontal range fault (FRF), which extends for several 10s of kilometers, and they are all located on the up-thrown side of the fault whereas the downthrown side is characterized by the presence of cold springs. The FRF is a complex structure revealing different exhumation and displacement which varies over the entire fault region resulting in significant variation of temperature that ranges between mid 40 to over 70 anddeg;C. However, Little is known so far about heat source, depth of circulation, mixture of groundwater sources, and subsurface relations. The current study aims at characterizing these hot springs, identifying heat source, relating groundwater recharge/discharge fluxes to formation of springs and understanding subsurface relations.