| Abstract |
The Tatra Mts.-Podhale geothermal system situated in the Carpathian chain could be considered as an alpin-type, non-volcanic, artesian geothermal system which developed in post-Miocene period. The Tatra Mts. Massif built by crystalline and sedimentary rocks constitute a recharge area of the Podhale thermal waters reservoir exploited for heating purposes as well as recreation (swimming pools). The Podhale thermal waters reservoir is associated with Mesozoic and "Nummulite Eocene" rocks which are covered by up to 3000 m thick complex of Paleogene flysch. The geological structure of Mesozoic substratum of Podhale region is composed of a pile of several small tectonic slices imbricated from the south to the north. The best parameters of the thermal waters show the Bialy Dunajec unit built by Triassic, highly fractured, carbonate rocks about 600m thick. Two geothermal doublets (Banska PGP-1- as exploitation wells and Bialy Dunajec PAN-1 and Bialy Dunajec PGP-2 as injection wells) were completed for thermal waters exploitation from this aquifer. Thermal waters slightly mineralized and with temperature of 80-90oC occur there at the depth ~2000-3000m. The high discharge of the wells (200 m 3/h and more) is related to the high fracturing of the reservoir rocks in the vicinity of north trending fault. Other deep wells (Zakipane IG-1, Ppronin PAN-1, Furmanowa PIG-1, Chocholow PIG-1, Bukowina Tatrza1ska PIG-1) confirm the ecistence of low to mid temperature geothermal reservoir under the entire Pidhale basin. At the foot of the Tatra Mts. In Zakopane (Poland) and in Oravice (Slovakia) the thermal waters are exploited from the wells for the swimming pools. The natural thermal springs (temperature up to 20oC) at the northern margin of the Tatra Mts. (Jaszczurowka, Oravice) and a cave (Dzura) whose origin is probably connected with thermal karst processes are the surface manifestations of an active geothermal system. The artesian condition of the Tatra Mts.-Podhale geothermal system is proved by observation in the wells. The well-head pressure is rising from 3 bard in the wells situated on the foot of the Tatra Mts. Up to 27 bars in the area situated closely to the Pieniny Klippen Belt-an effective barrier for thermal water flow. |