Simulation of fault-related small scale convection

It is well known that temperature distributions of geothermal areas are strongly affected by the local fluid circulations. Particularly, fault zones with high permeabilities can trigger fluid circulation depending on their permeability contrast on the surrounding medium and on their spatial extension. In this study, evolution of time-dependent, fault related hydrothermal circulation and resulted temperature distribution were investigated. Various fault geometries and depth extensions were used to simulate the small scale convection pattern related to the fractures. In the models, dramatic increase in heat flux was observed with the increasing number of fault zones.