Short Course VI on Geophysical Exploration for Geothermal Resources in the Azores

7 April 2016
Participants, lecturers and organizers in the Ribeira Grande geothermal field, São Miguel island
Participants, lecturers and organizers in the Ribeira Grande geothermal field, São Miguel island

The UNU-GTP is currently conducting Short Course VI on Geophysical Exploration for Geothermal Resources in the Azores of Portugal for selected employees of EDA RENOVÁVEIS – the department of renewables within the Electricity Company of the Azores (EDA) – and the University of the Azores.  The course covers various aspects and applications of geophysics in the exploration stages of geothermal development:  thermal methods, gravity, magnetics, seismic measurements, resistivity of rocks, and electrical methods (DC, MT, TEM).  Theoretical lectures are complemented by practical exercises, field measurements, data processing and interpretation.  The short course is attended physically by 10 people in Ponta Delgada on São Miguel island and 2 join classroom lectures and exercises online from Terceira island.  The course has a duration of 2 weeks, starting on April 4 and concluding on April 16.  Instruction is in the hands of Mr. Gylfi Páll Hersir, UNU-GTP Studies Board member and head of the Geophysical Exploration path in the 6 month studies, and Ms. Hanna Blanck, both geophysicists at ÍSOR – Iceland GeoSurvey.

This short course is the last in a series of six short courses held in the Azores over the period 2014-2016 that are financed through the EEA Grants scheme.  Previous trainings that have taken place are Workshop on Geothermal for Decision-Makers & Short Course I on Geological Exploration of Geothermal Fields (September 8-20, 2014), Short Course II on Geothermal Utilization and Geothermal Power Plants (November 17-29, 2014), Short Course III on Borehole Geophysics in Geothermal Development (June 15-27, 2015), Short Course IV on Chemistry of Thermal Fluids (September 7-19, 2015) and Short Course V on Well Design and Geothermal Drilling Technology (January 18-30, 2016).