Geoscience Data for Geothermal Exploration Near Watson Lake, Yukon

Geological and geophysical datasets were analyzed to evaluate geothermal potential near Watson Lake, Yukon, straddling the Tintina fault zone. The work includes 2D map interpretation and a 3D geologic model guided by gravity, magnetic, and magnetotelluric survey data inversion. The project was conducted by Innovate Geothermal Ltd. in collaboration with the Yukon Geological Survey and Liard First Nation.

Use Cases

• Evaluate geothermal reservoir potential based on integrated geological and geophysical datasets
• Identify favorable drilling locations for exploratory wells based on 3D geologic model interpretations
• Analyze subsurface permeability and fracture potential along the Tintina fault zone
• Model subsurface temperature gradients using regional Curie point depth estimates and historical well data

Strengths

• Includes a 3D geologic model constructed from geophysical inversion modelling of gravity, magnetic, and magnetotelluric data
• Integrates pre-existing and newly-acquired datasets from a specific study area near Watson Lake
• Provides specific geothermal gradient estimates (~31°C/km from Curie point depth, ~38–50°C/km from historical wells)

Limitations

• Row count and column-level documentation are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment
• The description notes subsurface temperature distribution is a significant unknown and evidence for substantial permeability is lacking
• Data may reflect geographic bias inherent to the specific study area along the Tintina fault

Provenance

Source

Government of Yukon | Gouvernement du Yukon

Collection Method

Analysis and interpretation of pre-existing and newly-acquired geological and geophysical datasets, including 2D map interpretation and 3D model construction.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-17 16:01:36.474176; freshness should be verified

Geography

Study area near the Town of Watson Lake, Yukon, straddling the crustal-scale Tintina fault zone.