| Title | Hydrogeochemical Characteristics and Geothermal Potential in Western Yunnan, southwestern China |
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| Authors | Xuan Tang, Li Xin, Xiaochang Tong, Jinchuan Zhang, Tianyi Niu, Xiangjie Man, Liangliang Wang |
| Year | 2026 |
| Conference | World Geothermal Congress |
| Keywords | |
| Abstract | Western Yunnan is a renowned high-temperature geothermal zone in southwestern China. Tectonically, it lies within a structural triangle formed by the collision between the rapidly uplifting Tibetan block to the west and the Yangtze block to the east. The tectonic characteristics exhibit significant zonation from west to east: from Tengchong area with current underlying deep-seated magma chamber, through Lancang region with Mesozoic granites, to the Eryuan and Honghe county along Red River Fault Zone. The characteristics of geothermal springs show pronounced regional variations. Aimed to better understand the geothermal energy genesis and assess resource potential, we selected representative hot springs and studied water charateristics and isotopic composition. The results show that (1) We identify three reservoirs types which vary with structural zone in the Western Yunnan. The main reservoir space types in the Eryuan area are carbonate fracture types; in the Lancang area, the main reservoir are granite and metamorphic rock; in the Dehong area, the main reservoir space types are carbonate types and metamorphic types; and in the Honghe area, the main reservoir space types are carbonate types and clastic types. (2) The Chemical Characteristics of Geothermal Water and Clarification of Hot Spring Genesis Types in Typical Areas of Western Yunnan. (3) A geothermal model is formed with gradually decreasing tectonic activity intensity dominated by volcanism-granites-faults.The Dehong area is a volcanic rock-controlled thermal fault-circulation type; the Lancang area is a granite-controlled thermal fault-circulation type; and the Eryuan and Honghe areas are deep circulation convection types controlled by deep faults. |