Self-potential as a tool to assess groundwater flow in hydrothermal systems: A review

In hydrothermal systems associated with volcanic areas, the flow of groundwater generates an electrical current electrokinetic nature, so-called streaming current. This is drag excess charge located near surface minerals, in liquid pore water, Gouy-Chapman diffuse layer. turn, field (the potential) that can be remotely recorded at ground Earth (or wells) a simple voltmeter and pairs non-polarizing electrodes. A map self-potential signals obtained any scale using some specific procedures to correct for drifting electrodes or error closures mapping these large scales (tens kilometers). We first review underlying physics signals. Then we discuss forward inverse modeling examples pertaining areas. Several case studies anomalies are discussed. show how used assess pattern such systems. addition, transient hydro-mechanical disturbances generate than be, inverted obtain information on source including their localization magnitude. The next grand challenge monitor active volcanoes will combination time-lapse conductivity induced polarization tomography hydromechanical simulation codes.