Proceedings of the 13th SEGJ International Symposium, 2018
Integrated geology, geophysics, and geochemical of geothermal control system;
study case in Ungaran Area
Alfian Gilang Gumelar, Arditiya Tri Yuliwardana , Angger Imas Assidhiqie (1)
(1)
UPN “Veteran” Yogyakarta (gilanggumelar88@gmail.com)
ABSTRACT
Indonesia is located in volcanic arc area that related to
geothermal prospect. Ungaran Mountain is one of the
geothermal prospects that need to be developed. This is
proved by the manifestation of fumaroles, hot springs,
and altered rocks in Gedongsongo, Ungaran. The
purpose of this research was to determine Ungaran
geothermal control system.
This research used AMT method (Audio
Magneto Telluric) and collecting structural geology
data on the surface. The advantages of using AMT
method are it can reach a relatively deep depth and get
information beneath the surface especially for
geothermal. The survey was conducted using 6 lines
where each line contains 10 points of measurement.
The authors obeserved faults to correlate with AMT
data and use geochemical analysis to examine the
geothermal reservoir quality.
3D AMT result shows a formation of the
geothermal system controller in Ungaran area in the
form of caldera structure. The high resistivity value of
AMT data (3.0 – 4.0 ohm.m) was considered as dioritic
intrusion that has functioned as heat source. The
medium resistivity value (1.5 – 2.9 ohm.m) was
interpreted as cracked volcanic rocks that have
functioned as reservoir rocks. The low resistivity value
(0.3 – 1.4 ohm.m) was interpreted as cap rock. The
fault can be interpreted in the 3D model as normal fault
and it was correlated with geological surface data.
There is normal fault with N 86° E/ 52° and lineament
of strike-slip fault N 001°E. Manifestations came out
through the faults. The Ungaran geothermal system is
dominated by water. The temperature of manifestation
on surface up to 90°C.
KEYWORDS: 3D AMT result, structural geology,
manifestation, geochemical analysis
INTRODUCTION
Indonesia is located on the path of volcanoes (Ring of
Fire Indonesia) which stretches from Sumatra, Java,
until Sulawesi. So this volcanoes path become the
prospect of its own geothermal resources. Based on
data of Ministry of Geology Agency ESDM on 2017,
there are 331 potential points consisting of 11.073 MW
of resources and 17.506 MW of reserves in 30
provinces. Indonesia has 70 GWA and the others open
areas.
Ungaran geothermal prospect area is located
about 30 km southwest of Semarang, the capital of
Central Java, Indonesia. The area is physiographically
located in the North Serayu Mountains formed by the
lifting of the Miocene. According to Claproth (1989)
and Van Bemmelen (1970), Mount Ungaran is part of
the second volcanism cycle in Java. This mountain was
active between the Late Pliocene and the Late
Pleistocene. Ungaran Mountain products can be
grouped into four units, namely Ungaran Oldest
products, Old Ungaran, Parasitic Cone, and Young
Ungaran. In the area, there is a geothermal prospect
located in Gedongsongo area.
According to Budiharjo (1997), Several
geothermal manifestations around Mount Ungaran
include: fumarole in Gedongsongo area, hot springs in
Banaran, Diwak, Kaliulo and Nglimut areas. There is
also altered rocks found in Gedongsongo and
Kendalisodo. The geothermal prospect in this area is
dominated by water, which is structurally controlled by
Ungaran caldera structure. Diorite intrusion is thought
to be the heat source. Cracked volcanic rocks are
thought to function as reservoir rocks. The
impermeable volcanic rocks are thought to function as
cap rocks. Wahyudi (2006) stated that reservoir
temperature is estimated to reach 230 °C based on
geothermometry on fumarole.
THEORY
The AMT method is a passive method that utilizes the
variations of the electromagnetic field present on the
surface of the earth and comes from the rocks beneath
the surface due to induction by the electromagnetic
fields formed on the earth's ionosphere. This variation
of the electromagnetic field is then measured and
converted to a resistivity value of rock under the
surface of the earth. The method obtains data from
frequency of 10 k Hz to 0.1 Hz.
High frequency comes from thunder
activity in ionosphere, and low frequency comes
from magnetosphere. The equation that used in this
method is Maxwell equation. It comes from
magnetic- electrical phenomenon in nature that that
has been studied by Faraday, Ampere, Gauss,
Coulomb, and Maxwell. Four equations are below this
(Telford, 1990).
∂D
∇ × H = i + (1)
∂t
 Proceedings of the 13th SEGJ International Symposium, 2018

∂B GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY
∇ × E = − (2)
∂t
From 3D AMT model, It can be seen the pattern of
∇ .D = ρ (3)
distribution of resistivity value. It shows that a
∇ .B = 0 (4) geothermal control system in Ungaran in the form of
caldera structure is shown by the difference of
With E is an electrical field (Volt/m), B is dispersion of sudden resistivity value decreased
magnetic flux (Wb/m2), H is magnetic field (A/m), ρ is drastically that indicated normal faults. The range of
electrical charge density (Coulomb/m3), and D is high resistivity values (3.0 - 4.0 ohm.m) is considered
density of electric flux (C/m2) as the dioritic intrusion that functioned as the heat
source. Medium resistivity values (1.5 - 2.9 ohm.m)
METHOD have a horizontal distribution identified as cracked
volcanic rocks. These are thought to be functioning as
reservoir rocks. Small resistivity values of 0.3-1.4
ohm.m are considered as the impermeable volcanic
rocks and lava thought to be functioning as cap rocks
(Fig. 3). These have low permeability caused by
several minerals as the result of hydrothermal
alteration.

Figure 2. Design survey map AMT Method in

Figure 3. 3D result of the AMT Method with using
Ungaran Field.
Geosoft Oasis Montaj software to identification of
geothermal system in Ungaran field.
The research methodology was started by literature
study in Ungaran area as the base for making the
survey design map to determine AMT method GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
measurement point (Fig. 2). The data acquisition
Structures which are mostly found in Ungaran,
process is done in Gedongsongo area, Ungaran
especially in Gedongsongo are normal faults, fractures,
Mountain, Central Java by using AMT method. The
and strike-slip fault. These structures control the
area is 1.5 x 1.5 km with 6 lines where each line
geothermal manifestations. The manifestations of the
contains 10 points of measurement. Geological data are
research area are hot spring, altered rocks, fumarole,
collected by observing outcrops, geothermal
and steaming ground (Fig. 4a). In the research area,
manifestation, and structures on the surface. Then the
there is lineament of strike-slip fault N 001°E (Fig. 5a).
researchers performed data processing and geothermal
Around hot springs and altered rocks, there is a normal
modelling. The geophysical and geological model
fault with a relatively west-east direction (Fig 5b). It
integration is interpreted for the determination of the
was thought as a way out of geothermal manifestations.
geothermal control system in Ungaran.
The temperature of fumarole is up to 90°C which can
 Proceedings of the 13th SEGJ International Symposium, 2018
be interpreted that reservoir has the high-temperature
system.
The rocks around the manifestation are
dominated by altered volcanic rock (Fig. 4b). It is
marked by the appearance of argillic and propylitic
minerals. There is an alteration rock outcrop that
releases concentrated sulfur gas in cold spring.
Gedongsongo has several cold springs that has the
temperature on the surface is about 41°C.
Figure (4a) Fumarole in Ungaran. (4b) Altered rock is
located in some place near manifestation.
Figure (5a) The river has lineament N 001°E. (5b)
The outcrop in research area that show normal fault.
GEOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS
Water samples of manifestation were collected at West
Ung-01 and East Ung-02 (Table 1). The West Ung-01
sample was collected from fumaroles and the East
Ung-02 sample was collected from hot springs located
a few meters to east of West Ung-01 location. The
chemical contents are plotted on the ternary diagram of
Cl-SO4-HCO3, to identify fluid type, i.e. mature,
volcanic, steam heated, and peripheral type
(Giggenbach, 1991).
Table 1. Chemical and isotopic constituents (unit: o/oo)
of Gedongsongo manifestation (M. Nukman, 2009).
Based on Cl-SO4-HCO3 analysis diagram, the
West Ung-01 is located at sulphate rich water with a
significant amount of chloride. This composition
suggests a mixing process has been occurring in
region. The East Ung-02 is located at chloride position.
This is evidenced by a neutral pH (Fig. 6).
Figure 6. Gedongsongo water type based on Cl-SO4-
HCO3 ternary diagram
The temperature of geothermal reservoir can
be estimated using geothermometric calculations.
Geothermometry is based on analysis of the chemical
composition of geothermal and geothermal gases. The
data were taken from fumarole in Gedongsongo. From
the calculation, the reservoir temperature is estimated
to be around 230°C (Table 2).
Sample
No. Geothermometer
Fumarole Bubble
Gedongsongo Gedongsongo
-
1. CO2-H2S-H2-CH4 231,33°C
(H2S = 0)
2. H2-Ar 231,33°C 238,63°C
Table 2. Results of Gas Geothermometry Calculations
(Wahyudi, 2006).
DISCUSSION
Based on the result of 3D AMT model, the Ungaran
geothermal is controlled by caldera structure. The
geothermal manifestations appeared on the surface
because of the effect of normal faults. This is in
accordance with geological data such as normal fault
and lineament (strike-slip fault). Manifestations
appeared along lineament. It is supported by straight
contours on the south of the Ungaran Mountain. This
lineament may also be recharge area for the geothermal
system. The AMT model shows the Ungaran
geothermal system. The 3D AMT model results from
the correlation of the 60 AMT sounding points that are
interpolated to identify the subsurface control of the
 Proceedings of the 13th SEGJ International Symposium, 2018

geothermal system in Ungaran. The high resistivity

value of 2.9-4 Ωm is identified as dioritic intrusion that
has functioned as heat source. The medium value of
1.6-2.9 Ωm is identified as cracked volcanic rocks that
have functioned as reservoir rock. The low value of
0.3-1.6 Ωm is identified as the impermeable volcanic
rocks and lava thought to be functioning as cap rocks.
In Gedongsongo, the main hot springs have
temperature on surface up to 82°C which can be
interpreted that reservoir has high-temperature system.
While the several cold springs have temperature about
41°C and the temperature of fumarole is up to 90°C, so
it may indicate that the geothermal system is water
dominated.
Based on Cl-SO4-HCO3 analysis diagram,
Gedongsongo fluid type is classified as acid sulfate-
chloride water. This composition suggests a mixing
process has been occurring in region. The geothermal
reservoir temperature is estimated around 231°C. It is
based on the geothermometric calculations in fumarole.
CONCLUSION
The 3D ATM model from our results reveals the
geothermal system in Ungaran. It consists of dioritic
intrusion as heat source. The reservoir rock is cracked
volcanic rock. Cap rocks are impermeable altered
volcanic rocks and altered lava. The Ungaran
geothermal control structure is post-volcano caldera
structure.
Fault zones and fractures increase the
permeability of the rocks so the geothermal fluids
appeared on the surface as geothermal manifestation.
Several geothermal manifestations are fumarole, hot
spring, and altered rock so it may indicate that the
geothermal system is water dominated. The
geochemistry of Gedongsongo fluid type is classified
as acid sulphate-chloride water. The temperature of
manifestation on surface up to 90°C and reservoir
temperature is estimated to reach 231°C based on
geothermometry gas analysis.
Geophysical, geological, and geochemistry
results can identify geothermal control system in
Ungaran area. It can describe geometry of geothermal
reservoir rocks for determination of potential Ungaran
geothermal in the future so that the Gedongsongo could
probably exploit to build the power plant.
Budiardjo, B., Nugroho, and Budihardi, M., 1997,
Resource Characteristics of the Ungaran Field,
Central Java, Indonesia, Proceeding of National
Seminar of Human Resources Indonesian
Geologist, Yogyakarta.
Claproth, R., 1989, Geologi Indonesia, Majalah Ikatan
Ahli Geologi Indonesia, Vol. Khusus 60 th. Prof.
Dr. J.A. Katili, Ikatan Ahli Geologi Indonesia, 511-
562.
Giggenbach, W.F., 1991, Chemical techniques in
geothermal exploration: in Applications of
Geochemistry in Geothermal Reservoir
Development (ed, F.D’Amore), 119-144.
Nukman, Mochamad, 2009, Overview of Gedongsongo
Manifestations of the Ungaran Geothermal
Prospect, Central Java, Indonesia : a preliminary
account, Proceeding Thirty-Fourth Workshop on
Geothermal Reservoir Engineering Stanford
University, California.
Telford, Geldart, and Sherif, 1990, Apllied Geophysics
2nd Edition, Cambridge University Press, New
York, Melbourne.
Van Bemmelen, R.W., 1970, The Geology of
Indonesia, Vol. IA, General Geology of Indonesia
and Adjacent Archipelago, 2nd Edition, Martinus,
Nilhoff, The Haque. York.
Wahyudi, 2006, Kajian Potensi Panas Bumi Dan
Rekomendasi Pemanfaatannya Pada Daerah
Prospek Gunungapi Ungaran Jawa Tengah, Berkala
MIPA, 16 (1).

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thank you to the team of lecturers, committees

and participants Field Lecture II by “ANOMALI 2014”
geophysics engineering and geological engineering
team from UPN "Veteran" Yogyakarta for geothermal
research in the area of Mount Ungaran, Central Java.

REFERENCES