Gravity applied to La Garriga-Samalús geothermal system

Abstract

Geophysics is a transverse science field which aims to explore and characterize the surface and subsurface of the Earth. There are different geophysical methods based on different physical parameters that can be applied in geological and geothermal exploration. In this work we apply the gravity method to the Vallès-Penedès Basin (NE of Spain), which is based on the density differences of the subsurface. In order to differentiate the basin of its surroundings we calculate the Bouguer anomaly of the area from the filtered acquisitioned data. Not only there is the Vallès Basin as an interesting geological item but also the Vall`es Fault, which we show using the horizontal derivative. We also do a gravity inversion-which gives the density in depth- tracing a profile along the basin in a NW-SE direction. The geological characterization of the area, and specifically, the characterization of the fault, is the first step for a better understanding of the geothermal system