GEORG Geothermal Workshop, Reykjavik, Iceland, November, 24-25 2016

Freysteinn Sigmundsson(1), John Eichelberger(2), Paolo Papale(3), John N. Ludden(4), Donald Bruce Dingwell(5), Charles Mandeville(6), Stephen Pye, Sigurður Markússon(7), Knútur Árnason(8), Hjalti Páll Ingólfsson(9)

Krafla Magma Testbed

(1) Nordvulk, Institute of Earth Sciences, University of Iceland(2) University of Alaska at Fairbanks, USA(3) INGV, Italy(4) British Geological Survey, UK(5) Ludwig-Maximilian University, Munich, Germany(6) USGS Volcano Hazards Programme, USA(7) Landsvirkjun, Iceland(8) ÍSOR, Iceland(9) GEORG, Iceland

Fissure swarmCentral Volcano

Krafla

Iceland: Volcanic zones

Krafla Magma Testbed

Krafla rifting episode 1975-1984

• IDDP-1 well• Krafla Magma Drilling Project• Krafla Magma Testbed• Conclusions

Overview

Iceland Deep Drilling Project: Well IDDP-1Krafla - Planned Well: - Natural supercritical fluid

has potential to generate power an order of magnitude greater power than from conventional wells (240–340°C).

- Reaching supercritical hydrous fluid conditions in natural geothermal systems (~3.5–5 km depth and were temperature between 400 and 600°C)

- Drilled 2008-2009

IDDP-1: Interpreted stratigraphy After Schiffman et al. (2014), with the 2070-2100 m “mystery zone” filled in (assuming linear temperature gradient).- Material recovered include glass chips of rhyolite and clasts of partially melted felsite. - No partially crystallized rhyolite magma has been observed, but shown here where expected

Utilization of the Hottest Well in the World, IDDP-1 in Krafla (S. H. Markusson and T. Hauksson, Proc. World Geothermal Congress 2015 Melbourne, Australia, 19-25 April 2015) Superhead steam 450°CProduced 25-40 MW

Krafla Magma Drilling Project

Proposal to International Continental Scientific Drilling Program PIs: Eichelberger, Sigmundsson, Papale, Loughlin- Extended exploration of unprecedented natural rhyolite intrusion laboratory through drilling observations and complementary surface and laboratory measurements- New production well to be drilled by Landsvirkjun- ICDP funds to be used for coring of magma–host rock boundary- Funded in 2015/2016 with 1 million US $

West East

Temperature °C

Distance from well K-35 (m)

Dep

th (m

a.b

.s.l.

)

Schematic view of IDDP-1 findings: YouTube“Magma well at Krafla: Temperature World Record”(Landsvirkjun)

The magma domain of Krafla: hypotheses

Krafla speculative North-South cross section Not distorted verticallyBoreholes projected on cross sectional plane(John Eichelberger and KMDP proposal)

• Closely observe, sample, and manipulate the transition zone from host rock to magma in order to rigorously test concepts of volcanic systems

• Develop improved or new monitoring techniques for volcanology • Push drilling and sensor technology to the crust’s high-

temperature maximum • Explore the roots of geothermal systems and the potential for

direct energy extraction from magma — the ultimate geothermal resource

KMDP Krafla Magma Testbed: Opportunities

Coordinated, multidisciplinary efforts encompassing: • Dedicated research drill hole/holes• borehole and sample observations coupled with large-

scale experimental studies • linked surface geophysical and geochemical observations • advanced geothermal energy technology • sensor development for extreme environments • advanced volcanic eruption forecasting

Krafla Magma Testbed

Directly measuring conditions in magma that threatens large cities

Campi Flegrei volcano – city of Naples, Italy

Krafla Magma Testbed Schematics of coupled magma/hydrothermal

system

Magma domain:

Jónasson, K., Rhyolite volcanism at Krafla, Bull. Volc. 1994

W.A. Elders et al., Origin of a rhyolite that intruded a geothermal well while drilling at the Krafla volcano, Iceland,Geology, 2011

S. R. Guðjónsdóttir, Volume of the superheated steam at Krafla, LV Report 2015-044.

Inflation/deflation curve during the Krafla rifting episode 1975-1984

Need a unified model from multiple constraints!Some examples of constraints …

KMT: Where are we now• The project has started• 25 partners from 10 countries• 20 MEUR short term• 50-100 MEUR long term• Positive impact on the local

community• KMT has been endorsed by

the government of Iceland• Involvement of governments

and international research institutions

• Next steps: Seek funding on multiple fronts logos (incomplete list)

Conclusions• IDDP1 KMDP Krafla Magma Testbed

• Next activities of the international KMT consortium – New proposal to ICDP / Meeting in March for coordinating science and

proposals for funding

• Global benefits of KMT include:– Increased use of low-CO2 continuous small-footprint renewable energy– Facilities to study and experiment with magma in the roots of volcanoes

directly– Holistic model of a volcano– More reliable forecasts of eruption for populated volcanoes – Italy,

Japan, US, South America, New Zealand, Indonesia, etc.