| Title | Unveiling the Crucial Challenges and Potential of Remote Sensing in Geothermal Exploration: A Case Study from the Northwest Himalayas |
|---|---|
| Authors | Mohammad Taqi Daqiq |
| Year | 2026 |
| Conference | World Geothermal Congress |
| Keywords | remote sensing, geothermal exploration, Himalayan geothermal |
| Abstract | The Indian Himalayas have a vast geothermal potential of the amagmatic type due to their active tectonic setting. However, the region's geological complexity, challenging topography, and extreme climatic conditions pose significant obstacles to geothermal exploration and development. Despite several efforts, these resources remain largely untapped, primarily due to the remoteness and limited accessibility of the area, which hinder ground-based assessments and, therefore, are largely under-characterized. Given the region’s strategic importance, there is a pressing need to explore alternative approaches for geothermal energy exploration. This study investigates the potential of remote sensing (RS) as an advanced tool to overcome these challenges. RS offers a cost-effective solution by reducing the need for extensive fieldwork, minimizing logistical demands, and enabling large-scale monitoring of geothermal manifestations. We conducted a comprehensive analysis of satellite data to detect surface manifestations of geothermal activity across a few case studies. Results revealed that many geothermal sites, especially in the Lesser Himalayas, do not exhibit significant surface temperature anomalies, despite reported hot spring temperatures ranging between 60°C and 90°C. This discrepancy is likely due to the spatial resolution of available satellite imagery, the topographic shadow effect in the rugged terrain, and the high background temperature due to solar radiation. These findings highlight the challenges and limitations of RS in such complex environments to detect the surface thermal anomaly, while also underlining its potential as a valuable tool in geothermal exploration. Further refinement of RS techniques and integration with ground-based data may improve the detection of geothermal resources. |