The geothermal prospect and exploration direction of Gulu geothermal field in Tibetan Plateau

The Yadong-Gulu rift in Tibet is an active tectonic zone in Cenozoic, characterized by active tectonics, frequent earthquakes, widespread hot springs and high heat flow, and has nurtured abundantly geothermal resources. The Yangbajing geothermal field and Yangyi geothermal field located in the central Yadong-Gulu rift have been commercially developed for decades, while the geothermal prospect and exploration direction in the Gulu geothermal field located in the northern Yadong-Gulu rift need to be furtherly clarified. Therefore, this paper analyzes the surface geothermal geology, discusses the Yangbajing geothermal model, and concludes that the Gulu geothermal field has a good geothermal prospect. The geothermal reservoirs revealed by magnetotelluric and gravity are characteristic of north-south zonation in the Gulu geothermal field. There are deep and shallow geothermal reservoirs in the north and middle of Gulu geothermal field, whereas the geothermal reservoirs in the south are mainly in shallow, which provides important geophysical basis for further understanding the geothermal model of the Yadong-Gulu rift and guiding geothermal exploration of Gulu geothermal filed.