Contemporary crustal stress in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, SE China: Implications for geothermal resource exploration and seismic hazard assessment

IF 3.5 2区 工程技术 Q3 ENERGY & FUELS
Xianrui Li , Shaopeng Huang , Tobias Hergert , Andreas Henk , Danhua Xin
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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Geothermal resources and seismic activity are two related earth science frontiers that are of great significance to socioeconomic development. The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) in southeastern China is a geothermal resource-rich and seismically active region. Crustal stress information is crucial for identifying prospective hidden geothermal fields and assessing seismic hazards. However, the characteristics of crustal stress in the GBA region remain unclear. In this study, we construct a high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) geomechanical model of the GBA region with complex fault geometries and obtain the 3D stress state. The results show that the GBA region is subject to a laterally variable crustal stress field. The maximum horizontal stress (SH) is oriented predominantly NW-SE in the east of the study area and rotates to nearly N-S in the west. The shallow crust is dominated by a transpressional stress regime, while the deeper part exhibits transtension. Detailed stress analyses on typical individual faults show that the NW-trending faults commonly have low normal stresses and high dilation tendencies, thus favoring geothermal fluid circulation. In contrast, the ENE-/NE-trending faults, at high angles to the SH orientation, tend to act as barriers to fluid flow in the shallow crust and accumulate high strain energy, making them conducive to the generation of strong earthquakes. We propose a comprehensive conceptual model to illustrate the genetic mechanism of geothermal resources and strong earthquakes. This study is intended to promote the exploration of geothermal resources and support the seismic hazard assessment in the GBA region.
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来源期刊
Geothermics
Geothermics 工程技术-地球科学综合
CiteScore
7.70
自引率
15.40%
发文量
237
审稿时长
4.5 months
期刊介绍: Geothermics is an international journal devoted to the research and development of geothermal energy. The International Board of Editors of Geothermics, which comprises specialists in the various aspects of geothermal resources, exploration and development, guarantees the balanced, comprehensive view of scientific and technological developments in this promising energy field. It promulgates the state of the art and science of geothermal energy, its exploration and exploitation through a regular exchange of information from all parts of the world. The journal publishes articles dealing with the theory, exploration techniques and all aspects of the utilization of geothermal resources. Geothermics serves as the scientific house, or exchange medium, through which the growing community of geothermal specialists can provide and receive information.
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