noVel ambiEnt noise tomogRaphy techNique for gEothermal exploration

The transition to clean energy has increased interest in geothermal resources from various geological environments like fractured rock, magmatic systems, and sedimentary basins. Ambient Noise Tomography (ANT) is a widely used geophysical exploration method that provides shear wave velocity models to reveal fractures in the subsurface. Recent advancements have enabled ANT to extract seismic attenuation data, which is particularly sensitive to fluid flow and is highly valuable in geothermal exploration. The VERNE project aims to advance geothermal exploration by developing innovative Ambient Noise Attenuation Tomography (ANAT) software. The project focuses on developing the ANAT software using Python and leveraging open-access libraries for signal processing and inversion. It will be designed to generate 3D attenuation models from ambient noise signal, providing detailed insights into subsurface structures. Following software development, the project will apply this methodology to existing seismic datasets to key geothermal areas in Aargau and Jura in Switzerland and Tuscany in Italy. These regions have been selected due to their high geothermal potential and the availability of extensive seismic data. The goal is to produce high-resolution 3D attenuation models that can identify critical features such as fractures and fluid presence, which are vital for assessing geothermal resources. Additionally, VERNE will explore ANAT's application to Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) technology. DAS transforms fiber-optic cables into dense seismic sensor arrays, offering the potential for unparalleled spatial resolution and coverage. By integrating ANAT with DAS data, the project aims to enhance the accuracy and depth of subsurface imaging, potentially revolutionizing geothermal exploration. VERNE contributes to clean energy and advanced geothermal exploration technologies by addressing critical challenges such as the need for cost-effective, high-resolution subsurface imaging.