Inverse modelling of the large scale convective processes of the Taupo Volcanic Zone

Abstract

This thesis describes the study and modelling of the flow of heat and mass in the geothermal systems within the Taupo Volcanic Zone (TVZ). This was undertaken with the aim of gaining insight into the behaviour of the convective processes that form the numerous high-temperature geothermal fields of the TVZ and of the underlying physical structure of the region. An inverse modelling approach was implemented. This was aided by the use of the iTOUGH2 simulator, which provided automatic model calibration and mathematical optimisation techniques to improve the model match to the field data