Active Geothermal Systems in the Menderes Massif, Western Anatolia, Turkey

In western Anatolia, Turkey, the thermal waters of Kızıldere, Bayındır, and Salihli represent excellent examples of thermal waters. The meteoric waters in the drainage area percolate at fault zones and permeable clastic sediments into the reaction zone of the roof area of a magma chamber situated at a probable depth of up to 5 km. Here the meteoric fluids are heated by the cooling magmatic melt and ascend to the surface due to their lower density caused by convection cells. The volatile components of CO2, SO2, HCl, H2S, HB, HF, and He that are released out of the magma reach the geothermal water reservoir where equilibrium between altered rocks, gas components, and fluids occurs. Finally, the thermal waters ascend along tectonic zones of weakness at the continental rift zones of the Menderes Massif, forming hot springs, gases, and fumaroles. These fluids are characterized by high to medium CO2, H2S, and NaCl contents.