An application of remote sensing and GIS in geothermal alteration and potential in Ziga/Aksaray (Türkiye)

Abstract

Where energy production is essential today, geothermal energy, one of the renewable energy sources, is of great importance. Ziga geothermal field, chosen as the study area, has an essential geothermal potential. Ziga Geothermal Area benefits from numerous sources, wells, thermal tourism, residential heating, greenhouse cultivation, and balneological practices. Hydrothermal alteration zones are one of the critical indicators for the exploration of geothermal fields. It contributes significantly to the exploration studies by narrowing the target areas in the feasibility studies of geothermal exploration studies. With remote sensing (UA) techniques in detecting hydrothermal alteration minerals spread over large areas, it is ensured that large areas can be evaluated holistically, and effective results can be obtained by saving time and economy. In the study, it was evaluated in a GIS environment by using ASTER satellite data to determine the hydrothermal alteration zones. The differences in the determined parameters of all alteration types in the study area were mapped with ASTER data. As a result of the data obtained by remote sensing and GIS methods, guiding data for the discovery of new potential areas in the rocks of Ziga and its surroundings are explained in detail in the study.