Heat flow and geothermal provinces in Mexico

Abstract

Definition of geothermal provinces is a key factor for regional exploration. Mexico’s geothermal potential is underdeveloped, and government policies have aimed to simplifying regulations and providing insurance to reduce the risk and support developers. Additionally, geothermal resources inventories were made available to encourage further development. Here, the correlation of heat flow measurements, recent thermal events and tectonic-geological setting is used to define 11 geothermal provinces that may serve as guide to identify areas with geothermal potential for exploitation/utilization of high, medium and low-enthalpy resources, based on geothermal play definition: 1 – Province CV1-MVB (Mexican Volcanic Belt); 2 – Province CV3-CP (Cerro Prieto); 3 – Province CV3-GE (Gulf Extensional); 4 – Province CV2-SMO (Sierra Madre Occidental); 5 – Province CV3-RGR (Río Grande Rift); 6 – Province CV2-CIV (Central Intraplate Volcanism); 7 – Province CD2-SMOr (Sierra Madre Oriental); 8 – Province CV2-EIV (Eastern Intraplate Volcanism); 9 – Province CD2-SMS (Sierra Madre del Sur); 10 – Province CV1-SEV (Southeast Volcanism); 11 –Province GP (Geo-pressurized).