According to TASS on August 3, scientists from the Institute of the Earth's Crust at the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences have developed a new, more precise method for exploring underground geothermal deposits. This method uses drones carrying special quantum equipment as payload. A patent reviewed by TASS shows that this exploration approach can create cross-sectional models of the Earth's crust and identify the most promising deposit areas.
The patent authors explain that there are currently more than 50 hot springs in the Angara and Buryat regions within the Baikal Rift Zone, all discovered through surface spring phenomena. However, no new hot springs have been found in the past 50 years, which scientists believe is due to flaws in existing exploration methods. Finding hot springs requires a set of geophysical methods to map them without drilling expensive exploration wells.
The report states: “The invention relates to the field of field geophysics, encompassing thermal imaging, aeromagnetic surveys conducted by drones, and electrical surveys using shallow near-field transient electromagnetic sounding, which can be used to search for and explore geothermal deposits of groundwater.”
The method developed by the institute targets seismic sources at depths of 400–600 meters. The search begins with aeromagnetic surveys using drones, where a walking quantum magnetometer-gradiometer is fixed to the drone via a suspension device. This device not only measures the magnetic field but also records the gradient (change in magnetic field) at a specific point. Thermal imaging surveys follow. After completing these two steps, scientists create maps of magnetic and thermal anomalies and build a model containing structural, geological, geophysical, and thermal characteristics of the study area.
The patent authors note: “The method has been tested under various geological conditions. Positive experience has been gained in searching for hot water deposits in the Baikal Rift Zone. Experimental data indicate high efficiency of the method and a real improvement in the reliability of constructing geological and geophysical models of hot water deposits.”
