Three-dimensional lithospheric-scale thermal model as supporting tool for new 
exploration campaigns for geothermal resources: Insights from the Calabria 
region (Southern Italy)

Vespasiano, G.; Floridia, G.; Giuffrida, M.; Viccaro, M.; Bloise, A.; De Rosa, R.; Cacace, Mauro; Fuoco, I.; La Russa, M.F.; Muto, F.; Dominici, R.; Russo, L.; Cipriani, M.; Guido, A.; Maruca, G.; Apollaro, C.

doi:10.1016/j.geothermics.2026.103604

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Three-dimensional lithospheric-scale thermal model as supporting tool for new exploration campaigns for geothermal resources: Insights from the Calabria region (Southern Italy)

Authors

Vespasiano, G.
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Floridia, G.
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Giuffrida, M.
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Viccaro, M.
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Bloise, A.
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De Rosa, R.
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/persons/resource/cacace

Cacace, Mauro
4.5 Basin Modelling, 4.0 Geosystems, Departments, GFZ Publication Database, GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences;

Fuoco, I.
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La Russa, M.F.
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Muto, F.
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Dominici, R.
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Russo, L.
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Cipriani, M.
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Guido, A.
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Maruca, G.
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Apollaro, C.
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Citation

Vespasiano, G., Floridia, G., Giuffrida, M., Viccaro, M., Bloise, A., De Rosa, R., Cacace, M., Fuoco, I., La Russa, M., Muto, F., Dominici, R., Russo, L., Cipriani, M., Guido, A., Maruca, G., Apollaro, C. (2026): Three-dimensional lithospheric-scale thermal model as supporting tool for new exploration campaigns for geothermal resources: Insights from the Calabria region (Southern Italy). - Geothermics, 136, 103604.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geothermics.2026.103604

Cite as: https://gfzpublic.gfz.de/pubman/item/item_5037659

Abstract

This study presents the first lithosphere-scale, steady-state 3D thermal model of the Calabria region (Southern Italy), developed to support the geothermal resource assessment and exploration. By integrating geological, geophysical, and thermal datasets, a high-resolution 3D geological model was built and used as a structural framework for finite-element thermal simulations. The simulations incorporated spatially variable thermal conductivity, radiogenic heat production, and a range of basal heat flux values applied at the crust-mantle (Moho) interface. Five thermal scenarios were tested and calibrated against 254 measured temperature data points from exploration wells. The results reveal pronounced lateral thermal heterogeneity, with temperatures exceeding 90 °C at 3 km depth beneath the Ionian basins, driven by the local crustal structure, sedimentary blanketing, and Moho geometry. While the model delineates zones suitable for low-to-medium enthalpy geothermal exploitation (1-3 km), deeper high-enthalpy targets remain less constrained and deserve further investigation. This study establishes a geologically consistent framework that enhances the understanding of the regional thermal regime and serves as a strategic tool for guiding future geothermal exploration in Calabria.