Volume 32 Issue 5
Oct.  2026
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Article Navigation >  Journal of Geomechanics  > 2026  >  32(5): 1062-1081
HOU M C，ZUO Y H，HU Y Z，et al.，2026. Genesis and resource potential of high-temperature geothermal systems along the three major fault zones of the western Sichuan Plateau[J]. Journal of Geomechanics，32（5）：1062−1081 doi: 10.12090/j.issn.1006-6616.2026056
Citation: HOU M C，ZUO Y H，HU Y Z，et al.，2026. Genesis and resource potential of high-temperature geothermal systems along the three major fault zones of the western Sichuan Plateau[J]. Journal of Geomechanics，32（5）：1062−1081 doi: 10.12090/j.issn.1006-6616.2026056
shu

Genesis and resource potential of high-temperature geothermal systems along the three major fault zones of the western Sichuan Plateau

doi: 10.12090/j.issn.1006-6616.2026056
  • 1.

    State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation & Institute of Sedimentary Geology (Chengdu University of Technology), Chengdu 610059, Sichuan, China

  • 2.

    College of Energy, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, Sichuan, China

  • 3.

    Sichuan Institute of Geological Engineering Investigation Group Co., Ltd., Chengdu 611032, Sichuan, China

  • 4.

    School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, Sichuan, China

Funds:  This research was financially supported by Deep Earth Probe and Mineral Resources Exploration-National Science and Technology Major Project (Grant No. 2024ZD1003501).
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  • Author Bio:

    侯明才，教授，博士生导师，2025年获第十九次李四光地质科学奖科研奖。曾在瑞士洛桑大学（University of Lausanne）地质古生物研究所担任访问学者、邀请教授，现任成都理工大学副校长，担任深时地理环境重建与应用自然资源部重点实验室主任、深时数字地球（DDE）国际大科学计划古地理工作组组长，兼任中国地质学会沉积地质专业委员会副主任委员、中国石油学会天然气专业委员会委员、四川省地质学会副理事长。主要从事沉积地质学与资源能源勘探相关的科研与教学工作，主持深地国家科技重大专项、高等学校学科创新引智计划（111计划）、国家自然基金委指南引导类原创探索项目（0−1）/重点项目/面上项目、油气国家科技重大专项任务、国家重点基础研究发展计划（973计划）课题、国家地质调查项目及企业合作科研项目60余项；在Nature Communications、Geology、Earth-Science Reviews、Geosciences Frontiers、Geophysical Research Letters、GSA Bulletin、Gondwana Research、Global and Planetary Change和《地质学报》《沉积学报》等国内外高水平期刊上共发表论文357篇（SCI 150篇），出版教材与专著10部，任Ore and Energy Resource Geology 期刊编辑，《地质论评》《天然气工业》《沉积学报》等期刊编委；获国家科技进步二等奖1项、四川省科技进步一等奖1项、国土资源科学技术奖二等奖1项、优秀地图作品裴秀奖金奖1项、四川省教学成果奖一等奖1项，支撑所在单位获国家科技进步一等奖和国家科技进步奖二等奖各1项。获四川省学术技术带头人、四川省有突出贡献优秀专家、天府青城计划杰出科学家等荣誉称号，享受国务院政府特殊津贴

  • Received: 2026-05-15
  • Revised: 2026-09-20
  • Accepted: 2026-09-20
    • Available Online: 2026-09-22
  • Published: 2026-10-28
    Abstract
  •   Objective  This study aims to elucidate the present-day geothermal field, geothermal-fluid evolution, and differential heat-control mechanisms of the Kangding–Luhuo, Ganzi–Litang, and Batang geothermal belts in the western Sichuan Plateau.  Methods  Field investigations and hydrochemical analyses were conducted on 55 hot springs and geothermal wells. Temperature-logging data from 10 boreholes, geothermal-gradient and terrestrial heat-flow data from two wells, and thermophysical measurements of 43 rock samples were integrated with regional fault-distribution and deep seismic-velocity data.   Results  The results show that hot springs in the western Sichuan Plateau are mainly distributed in belts along major deep faults, including the Xianshuihe, Ganzi–Litang, and Jinsha River faults. Geothermal gradients range from 17.5 to 59.7 ℃/km, while terrestrial heat flow ranges from 50.8 to 116.2 mW/m2, with an average of 77.2 mW/m2, showing an overall pattern of higher values in the southwest and lower values in the northeast. The geothermal fluids are predominantly of the HCO3-Na type and are mainly recharged by high-altitude meteoric water, with varying degrees of water–rock interaction and cation exchange during deep circulation. SiO2 geothermometry indicates that reservoir temperatures are mainly concentrated between 100 and 180 ℃, with local values approaching or exceeding 200 ℃. Overall, the high-temperature geothermal systems in western Sichuan are fault-controlled hydrothermal systems jointly governed by the regional thermal background, deep heat input, heat and fluid transport along major deep faults, and deep circulation of meteoric water. Regional comparison indicates that the Ganzi–Litang geothermal belt is characterized by relatively high terrestrial heat flow and a substantial crustal heat-flow contribution, together with relatively stable fault-controlled fluid transport. The Batang geothermal belt exhibits pronounced deep thermal anomalies and is mainly controlled by strong deep heat input and the coupled effects of the Jinsha River Fault and deeply incised valleys. In contrast, the Kangding–Luhuo geothermal belt has a comparatively lower regional thermal background, although activity of the Xianshuihe Fault and local frictional heating promote the localized accumulation of high-temperature geothermal fluids.   Conclusions  Integration of geothermal manifestations and fault distribution suggests that the Ganzi–Litang and Batang geothermal belts have relatively favorable regional exploration potential for high-temperature geothermal resources, whereas the Kangding–Luhuo geothermal belt shows stronger localized potential, particularly at intersections of the main Xianshuihe Fault with subsidiary faults and in areas with concentrated high-temperature geothermal manifestations.   Significance  These results provide a basis for evaluating favorable areas and selecting exploration targets for high-temperature geothermal resources in western Sichuan Plateau.

     

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