| Title | Feasibility of Finding Geothermal Sources in Sri Lanka with Reference to the Hot Spring Series and the Dolerite Dyke |
|---|---|
| Authors | Shashika Amali SAMARANAYAKE, S, N. De SILVA, U.DAHANAYAKE, H.O. WIJEWARDANA, Deepal SUBASINGHA |
| Year | 2015 |
| Conference | World Geothermal Congress |
| Keywords | Highland Vijayan boundary, dolerite dyke, hot springs, geothermal energy, feciable model |
| Abstract | Sri Lanka is situated away in active plate boundary and there is no volcanic region at close proximity to the Sri Lankan land mass. The story of geothermal potential in Sri Lanka mainly depends on the Highland Vijayan boundary, Dolarite dyke intrusions and the related hot spring series. Most of the studies conducted to find possible geothermal sources were mainly focused at the source of hot spring series. Although it was suggested an existence of a Highland Vijayan boundary as the source of hot spring, there is a huge distance between the hot springs and the boundary, and also recent MT (Magneto Telluric) studies implies that there is no direct relationship between the boundary and the hot springs. Most of the research conducted along the hot spring series interpreted that there is no possible heat source in depth exactly beneath the hot springs. This study was mainly focused on finding the possibility of an existence of a relationship between the hot springs and the Dolarite dyke and thereby identifying the dyke as a source of hot springs and a source for geothermal power generation. The magnetic surveys, resistivity surveys and the geological mapping were conducted in the study sites related to the hot springs and the Dolarite dykes. The result implies that there is some relationship between the hot springs and the dykes. Most of the times a dyke could be seen at close proximity to the hot springs and they have been interconnected by deep fractures. Sri Lanka has high temperature hot springs, highest with a mean of 70◦ C at Kapurulla. A schematic diagram for a feasible geo thermal model was developed by using the above results and it gives a proper path to the deep explorations of the geothermal source in Sri Lanka. This study gives better idea about the related interconnecting paths of channeling hot springs. |