Integration of gravity and magnetic inversion for geothermal system evaluation in Suli and Tulehu, Ambon, eastern Indonesia

Abstract

The geothermal field of Suli and Tulehu is located in the eastern part of the Ambon Island, administratively situated in central Maluku regency, Maluku province, Indonesia. In the year 2017, the measurement of the Earth’s gravity and magnetic field has been done to evaluate the geothermal system in Suli and Tulehu. The application of gravity and magnetic methods was applied to determine the subsurface geological model describing geothermal sources, reservoirs, and faulting as a fluid conduit in the study area. Bouguer anomalies are positive in the range from 93 to 105 mGal, while magnetic anomalies are negative to positive in the range from - 656 to 310 nT, generally southwest to northeast. Geothermal manifestations in the form of hot springs associated with low residual Bouguer and magnetic anomalies positioned on the Banda-Hatuasa, Banda, and Huwe fault lines related to the alteration zone. Euler deconvolution analysis of the complete Bouguer anomaly data shows the maximum depth of fault detected at 1200 m. Gravity and magnetic inversion show high density and susceptibility contrast of rocks associated with Eriwakang and Simalopu pyroclastic rocks as geothermal sources. Low density and susceptibility contrast is estimated to be geothermal reservoirs due to interactions with geothermal source rocks below. A geological conceptual model based on the inversion modeling of gravity and magnetic data provides clear and comprehensive information on the geothermal systems in Suli and Tulehu, Ambon, the eastern part of Indonesia.