| Title | Geothermal Resources and Systems in the Struma (Strymon) Rift Valley (Bulgaria and Greece) |
|---|---|
| Authors | Kostadin Shterev, Ivan Zagortchev and Dimitar Shterev |
| Year | 1995 |
| Conference | World Geothermal Congress |
| Keywords | geothermal exploration, geothermal resources, Struma rift valley, Bulgaria, Greece |
| Abstract | The Struma rift valley (graben system) is one of the most interesting and rich in thermal waters regions on the Balkan Peninsula. The geothermal activity is manifested by about 100 natural and borehole thermal sources, and many temperature and hydrogeochemical anomalies provoked by hidden deposits of thermal waters in the basement, boards and sedimentary filling of the grabens. The Struma geothermal zone is a perfect subject for fundamental studies of the structural, hydrodynamic and geochemical characteristics of non-stratified (fault- and fracture-bounded) hydrogeothermal deposits and circulation systems that have developed in tectonically active granite-metamorphic terrains outside active contemporary volcanic structures and belts. Such studies are needed also for exploration and evaluation of the geothermal resources in view of their utilisation in the tourist industry, urban needs, agriculture (geothermal greenhouses), bottling industry, and other economic activities important for Bulgaria and Greece. Industrial natural C02 will be possibly available in the Greek part of the valley. The present paper is a summary of our estimations and prognoses for the character, spatial distribution, amounts and quality of the geothermal resources emplaced and reproducing themselves in the Struma rift valley. Detailed studies on some particularly important and impressive hydrogeothermal deposits in different parts of the valley will be subject of special publications. |