Geophysical exploration in Bolungarvík, NW-Iceland and in Árskógsströnd, N-Iceland

Abstract

For almost 50 years geophysical exploration has been applied in Iceland based on physical methods. A wide variety of exploration techniques are used. Among the most common methods in regional surveying are resistivity soundings and temperature gradient measurements in shallow drillholes, to test the range of change in temperature with depth. In Bolungarvík NW-Iceland, resistivity soundings were used in an attempt to find a low-resistivity anomaly that could indicate a geothermal system at depth. The results indicate that further exploration should be limited to the area around the warm spring in Sydridalur. In Árskógsströnd, N-Iceland, shallow drillholes were used to detect the thermal gradient in the area. A local anomaly of high thermal gradient indicates an up-flow zone of geothermal water. For further exploration it is suggested to drill at least a 300 m deep well. Both in Bolungarvík and Árskógsströnd, the surveys were aimed at finding thermal water for district heating systems in nearby towns.