Preliminary geoelectrical identification of a low-temperature hydrothermal system in the Anzer glacial valley, İkizdere, Rize, Turkey

Abstract

The Anzer glacial valley, at an elevation of over 2300 m in the Eastern Black Sea region of Turkey, exhibits evidence for a low-temperature hydrothermal system (40-100 °C). Low-temperature hydrothermal systems usually do not receive attention since they are not useful for energy production. However, in areas where natural beauty is prominent, as in the Anzer valley, such resources can easily trigger investment for all-season resorts that significantly contribute to the economy. In this study, we examine the site evidence and carry out self-potential and dc-resistivity sounding surveys using a Schlumberger electrode configuration. The resistivity cross-section obtained from the inversion of a number of 1-D Schlumberger soundings, integrated with the slopes obtained from the inversion of the self-potential anomalies, suggests a conductive zone corresponding to the mineral alteration zone surrounding the crack conduits in this hydrothermal system. This study also emphasizes the significance of low-temperature hydrothermal fields for the region.