The Geothermal Field of the Chesapeake Bay Impact Structure

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Helmut Wilhelm
• Subject Area: Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry
• Term: from 2009 to 2012
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 118517399

Within the frame of the aims of the ICDP Chesapeake Bay Impact Structure (CBIS) Project, we want to investigate the present geothermal and hydraulic regime of the central part of this impact structure. To reach this aim we will determine local vertical and lateral regional heat flow variations in the CBIS area in cooperation with our partners in Moscow, Prague and colleagues from USGS. The results of this investigation will contribute to the hydrogeological research with respect to the threatening of the fresh groundwater resources of the region by the CB impact brines. Another aim of our project is to extend the variability of common models for the interpretation of transient thermal signals to time-varying boundary conditions, as they exist in boreholes caused e.g. by artesian outflow of water.

• DFG Programme: Infrastructure Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1006: International Continental Scientific Drilling Program (ICDP)
• International Connection: Czech Republic, Russia
• Participating Persons: Professor Dr. Y. Popov; Professor Dr. Jan Safanda