Geophysical Investigation of a Thermal Field in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Abstract In the Abu Dhabi Emirate, near Madinat Zayed and Liwa, studies have identified high geothermal gradients and high‐heat‐flow areas. Assessing the geothermal potential in this region requires a detailed mapping of subsurface geological formations and their thermal properties. This study employed broadband magnetotelluric (BBMT) measurements to map the geological formations, focusing on the basement rock structures linked to the high‐heat‐flow anomaly observed in the area. The three‐dimensional inversion of BBMT data revealed a high‐resistivity anomaly at 10 km depth beneath a highly conductive Quaternary sediment layer in the high‐heat‐flow area. This high‐resistivity layer is interpreted as basement rocks. To interpret the MT model, gravity, magnetic, seismic, and heat flow data were used, and a two‐dimensional gravity‐magnetic model was constructed along the BBMT profile. The high‐heat‐flow anomaly in the study area is interpreted as due to the existence of highly magnetized basement rocks.