Abstract Summary
In the Rhine Ruhr area of western Germany, where Europe's largest district heating network is located, up to 1,300 m thick carbonates of Devonian age are available in ≥ 4,000 m depth. At reservoir depth, abundant karstification may significantly increase the geothermal reservoir potential. This study aims at the geological characterization of deep seated (hydrothermal) karst cavities in Steltenberg Quarry (western Germany) where Middle/Upper Devonian carbonates (Massenkalk limestone) are present in the vicinity of two regional fault zones. We applied state of the art petrographical, geochemical, palaeothermometrical methods, and U-Pb dating.
