- Volcanic Geothermal Systems involve volcanoes at some stage of their geological life. According to IUCN/USGS there are ~1450# potentially active volcanoes worldwide (not counting those under the ocean) and ~500# have erupted within the past 100 years.
- Many of these volcanoes are located at tectonic plate boundaries, but not all of them. The highest numbers are located on tectonic plate boundaries (i.e., convergent, transform, or divergent boundaries) but they can also occur intraplate (e.g., over magma plume hotspots).
- Geological displacements and forces at these plate boundaries are demonstrated by seismic events and volcanic eruptions. Magma is formed in the mantle by either decompression of hot, solid mantle rock or by lowering the melting temperature of this rock by the addition of volatiles (water) at these locations. Variations in processes and rock types produce a range of magma compositions, pathways (conduits, dikes, sills), eruptive behaviour, types of volcanic products (lava, ash, pyroclastics, gases), and what happens at the surface.
- Volcanoes have been formed, eroded, and covered by further volcanic activity or sedimentation over the history of the planet, but we are most focused on more recent manifestations where magmatic heat has risen up closer to the surface where we can economically access this heat for use to produce energy.
- Volcanoes can be in groups associated with tectonic plate boundaries with fault and shear systems, but they can also be isolated. Surrounding each volcanic structure or system would be a number of surface features and manifestations such as vents, cinder cones, lava flows, lava domes, fumaroles, and hot springs.
- Surface manifestations can help focus exploration efforts when looking for economic heat features potentially able to be developed for Geothermal Energy. Regional and local Geological studies would be performed followed by Geophysical Field Surveys.
