PetroTherm

The aim of the PetroTherm sub-project is to improve our knowledge of the structure and composition of the subsoil in the area of a geothermal anomaly in Franconia. Since the 1970s it has been known from boreholes that the temperature in the subsurface of northern Bavaria is rising more rapidly in places than would be expected according to the regional average. With a normal geothermal gradient, the temperature rises by 3.3°C every 100 m of depth. Studies carried out by the GeoZentrum Nordbayern between 2012 and 2016 show that the increase in the region is up to 4.8°C/100 m, i.e. significantly more energy is flowing out of the ground than expected. In order to find out what is the cause of this high heat flux, various methods are being applied, including 2D seismics. Further studies are concerned with the analysis of existing boreholes and outcrop analogues..