High Heat Producing Mesoproterozoic Granitoids and Their Impact on the Geothermal Field in Lithuania, Baltic Basin
Source abstract
Abstract
The Palaeoproterozoic crystalline basement is overlain by the Baltic Basin. Lithuania is situated in the shallow eastern periphery and grades into the deep part of the basin, which comprises a number oil fields; the thickness of the sedimentary cover varies from 0.2 to 2.3 km. The Mesoproterozoic granitoid intrusions of different scales were discovered in the crystalline basement. In total, thirteen intrusions were defined on the gravity and magnetic maps and studied by abundant deep boreholes drilled in Lithuania. The recent dating revealed several phases of magmatic activity ranging from 1625 to 1445 Ma. No systematic lateral and temporal distribution of intrusions was noticed. The intrusions comprise sub-alkaline I-type diorites and quartz monzodiorites, granodiorites, and granites. The radiogenic granitoids are characterized by anomalous heat production ranging from 2.8 to 18.2 μW/m3 (average 7.26 μW/m3). The shoshonitic series correlates with high heat production. Furthermore, the Th series is documented in west Lithuanian (WLD) intrusions, while Th-U-enriched granitoids show high heat production in east Lithuania (LBB) domains. The high iron (magnetite) content of the Mesoproterozoic magmatic rocks accounts for specific high magnetic field anomalies. The most voluminous intrusions are mapped in the West Lithuanian Geothermal Anomaly, which is the most spectacular geothermal feature recognized in the East European Platform.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Geological and Geochemical Analysis · High-pressure geophysics and materials · Geological Formations and Processes Exploration
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Nature Research Centre, State Scientific Research Institute, Akademijos 2, LT-08412 Vilnius, Lithuania
Faculty of Chemistry and Geosciences, Institute of Geosciences, Vilnius University, M. K. Čiurlionio 21/27, LT-03101 Vilnius, Lithuania
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