Cosmic-ray based geothermal exploration:a short introduction to muography

Muography is a novel geophysical imaging method for large solid objects and it maps relative density variations in 2D, 3D or 4D (density data + time analysis). In geothermal exploration, muography can be used, for example, for remote detection of faults and estimation of associated permeabilities. In the best-case scenarios, muography can be used to direct further geothermal exploration drilling and mitigating exploration risks associated with permeability models. The method is feasible for the 1–2 km in the vertical direction or, if applied at the ground surface level, up to 2–3 km in horizontal and near-horizontal directions.