Characterization of the shallow structure of El Tatio geothermal field in the Central Andes, Chile using transient electromagnetics

This study presents the first high resolution geophysical survey conducted in The El Tatio geothermal field, northern of Chile, focused on the detection of shallow subsurface structures and identification of ascending fluid pathways. TEM data was collected along 5 profiles crossing the two main geothermal basins (Upper and Middle Basin) to obtain an electrical resistivity model up to 200 m depth. The models show important structures that allowed us to improve the conceptual model of the field connecting these geophysical observations with the geology and the geochemistry of the area. We found a shallow (