Distribution and genesis of the eastern Tibetan Plateau geothermal belt, western China

More than 185 hot springs have been recently discovered in the eastern Tibetan Plateau geothermal belt (also called the Kangding–Litang–Batang geothermal belt) (98–102°E, 28–32°N). Among them, more than 60% of springs have temperatures of >40 °C, and 11 springs have temperature higher than the local water boiling point. These hot springs are mostly exposed near the fault or valley areas, as bandings in reservoirs of Triassic carbonate rocks and clastic quartz sandstone or in fractured granite and intrusive rocks. The geothermal belt can be subdivided into the Batang–Xiangcheng geothermal field, the Ganzi–Litang geothermal field, and the Luhuo–Kangding geothermal field, which are controlled by the Jinsa fault, Xiangcheng fault, Litang fault, and Xianshuihe fault, respectively. Radiogenic heat from the Mesozoic and Cenozoic granites, possible ductile crustal flow beneath the lower crust, and frictional heat generated by active strike-slipping along faults are the significant heat resources for the geothermal genesis. Frictional heat caused by the slipping along the Xianshuihe fault is the main thermal source for the Luhuo–Kangding geothermal field, whereas magma melting heat is the main source for the Batang–Xiangcheng geothermal field. Glacier water and river water are the main water supply sources, and the fracture serves as the main channel for runoff and hot water flow. The activity intensity and magnitude of the Kangding–Litang–Batang geothermal anomaly were lower than those of the geothermal fields of Yangbajing and Tengchong in the central and southern Tibetan Plateau, respectively, which indicates that the eastern Tibetan Plateau has a strong heat flow background.