Geothermal anomalies in the Xianshuihe area: Implications for tunnel construction along the Sichuan-Tibet Railway, China
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Abstract: This study presents a comprehensively analysis of geothermal characteristics in the Xianshuihe geothermal area along the Sichuan-Tibet Railway, using temperature logging, temperature monitoring and thermal conductivity measurement, and regional geothermal geological survey data. The research focuses on the geothermal background, geothermal field, and their potential impact on the surrounding tunnels. The investigation reveals that the average heat flow value in the study area is approximately 73.0 mW/m2, significantly higher than the average terrestrial heat flow in mainland China (62.5 mW/m2). This high terrestrial heat flow signifies a distinct thermal background in the area. In addition, geothermal anomalies in the area are found to be closely associated with the distribution of hot springs along NW faults, indicating a strong control by the Xianshuihe fault zone. The study concludes that the region's favorable conditions for geothermal resources are attributed to the combination of high terrestrial heatflow background and water-conducting faults. However, these conditions also pose a potential threat of heat damage to the tunnels along the Sichuan-Tibet Railway. To evaluate the risk, the research takes into account the terrestrial heat flow, thermal conductivity of the tunnel surrounding rocks, characteristics of the regional constant temperature layer, as well as the distribution of hot springs and faults. The analysis specifically focuses on the thermal damage risk of Kangding 1# tunnel and 2# tunnel passing through the study area. Based on the findings, it is determined that Kangding 1# tunnel and 2# tunnel have relatively low risk of heat damage, as they have avoided most of the high temperature anomaly areas. However, several sections of the tunnels do traverse zones with low to medium temperatures, where surface rock temperatures can reach up to 45°C. Therefore, these regions should not be neglected during the construction and operation of the tunnel project, and mitigation measures may be necessary to address the potential heat-related challenges in the area.
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Key words:
- Xianshuihe geothermal zone /
- Terrestrial heat flow /
- Hot spring /
- Tunnel /
- Heat damage
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Figure 1. Distribution of faults with geothermal activity and geothermal manifestations in the Xianshuihe fault zone
①- Zhonggu hot spring group;②- Qisehai hot spring group;③- Reshuitang hot spring group;④- Erdaoqiao hot spring;⑤- Lucheng hot spring group;⑥- Zheduotang hot spring;⑦- Tangniba hot spring;①- Kangding Tunnel No. 1;②- Kangding Tunnel No. 2;①- Yalahe fault;②- Selaha fault;③- Southern Mugecuo fault;④- Zheduotang fault;⑤- Yunongxi fault
Figure 2. Comparison between the temperature curves of representative boreholes with conductive temperature rise ((a) and (b)) and temperature curves of boreholes with convective temperature rise (c)
(a)SK-ZDS-2; (b) ZDS-02; (c) ZK1 and ZK2 (Zhang et al. 2019)
Figure 3. Profile schematically showing the lithologies of Kangding Tunnels No. 1 and No. 2
1-Tangniba fault; 2- Yulongxi fault; 3- Huiyuan Temple-Lejipu fault; 4- Jinlong Temple-Mozigou fault; 5- Zheduotang branch fault; 6- Daxueshan-Nonggeshan fault; 7- Sandaoqiaogou fault; 8- Yalagou fault. ①- Tangniba hot spring;②- Zheduotang hot spring; ③- Yaochi hot spring;④- Erdaoqiao hot spring
Figure 4. Isothermal map of predicted rock temperatures for tunnel faces of Kangding Tunnels No. 1 and No. 2 of the Sichuan-Tibet Railway
1- Ultra-high-temperature zone (T > 60°C); 2- High-temperature zone (50‒60°C); 3- Moderately high-temperature zone (37‒50°C); 4- Slightly high-temperature zone (28‒37°C); 5- Constant temperature zone (T < 28°C); ①- Yunongxi fault;②- Zheduotang fault; ③- Southern Mugecuo fault;④- Selaha fault;⑤- Yalahe fault;
Table 1. Statistics of thermal conductivity of major lithologies in Xianshuihe geothermal anomalous area
Lithology Sample quantity Variation range of thermal conductivity / W/m·K Mean thermal conductivity / W/m·K Comment Quartz sandstone 23 1.48–5.15 3.33 Core samples from SK-ZDS-02 Limestone 8 2.29–3.44 2.99 Core samples from ZDS-2 Biotite 9 2.28–2.65 2.40 Core samples from ZDS-1 Lithic sandstone 3 3.38–3.9 3.64 Surface rock samples Slate 4 2.05–2.43 2.20 Surfaces rock samples Gneiss 16 1.64–4.68 2.70 Surface rock samples Table 2. Calculation results of terrestrial heat-flow values in the surroundings of Kangding City
No. Borehole Survey section depth/m Geothermal gradient
/ °C/kmAverage thermal conductivity Terrestrial heat flow
/ mW/m2Sample quantity Data quality 1 ZDS-2 50‒200 21.3±0.21 2.99 64.7±0.6 9 A 2 SK-ZDS-02 100‒800 24.0±0.05 3.33 80.0±0.2 23 A Table 3. Characteristics of hot springs around faults in the study area
Fault Hot spring
groupLocation Elevation
/mTemperature
/°CFlow rate
/L/sMajor lithology Yalahe fault Erdaoqiao hot spring group Erdaoqiao of Kangding City 2 620.05 37.2 36 Late Yanshanian migmatite Reshuitang hot spring group Low-lying area near the road on the opposite bank of Reshuitang in Yala Town, Kangding City. 3 014.12 25 1.35 Quartz sandstone, slate Reshuitang, Yala Town, Kangding City 3 018.17 44.0‒45.2 0.14 Quartz sandstone, slate Reshuitang, Yala Town, Kangding City 3 011.25 40.2‒61.3 0.19 Quartz sandstone, slate Reshuitang, Yala Town, Kangding City 3 048.43 46.2 0.84 Quartz sandstone, slate Zhonggu hot spring group Zhonggu Village, Yala Town, Kangding City 3 074.32 37.2 0.137 Quartz sandstone, slate Right bank of Zhonggu Village, Yala Town, Kangding City 3 065.21 62.3 0.601 Quartz sandstone, slate Zhonggu Village, Yala Town, Kangding City 3 076.35 47.2 1.285 Quartz sandstone, slate Zhonggu Village, Yala Town, Kangding City 3 095.11 48.3 0.094 Quartz sandstone, slate Right bank of Yala River in Dagai Village, Yala Town, Kangding City 3 103.14 37.1 1.901 Quartz sandstone, slate Dagai, Yala Town, Kangding City 3 102.31 42.0‒47.2 0.641 Quartz sandstone, slate Mouth of Xiaolongbu ravine in Dagai Village, Yala Town, Kangding City 3 109.17 25.3 0.4 Quartz sandstone, slate Terrace on the right bank of Yala River in Dagai Village, Yala Town, Kangding City 3 124.26 33.1‒40.3 1.8 Quartz sandstone, silty slate Right bank of Yala River in Longbu, Dagai Village, Yala Town, Kangding City 3 214.23 29.0‒32.1 2.1 Biotite granite Selaha fault Qisehai hot spring Niuwogou, Kangding City 3 408 32 / Late Yanshanian biotite granite Yaochi hot spring Niuwogou, Kangding City 3 588 67 0.05 Late Yanshanian biotite granite Zheduotang fault Zheduotang hot spring Zheduotang, Kangding City 3 296 38.5 / Late Yanshanian biotite granite Yunongxi fault Tangniba hot spring Tangniba, Kangding City 4 041 54 / Late Yanshanian biotite granite -
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