Geotherm: risks and environmental impacts. An example of energy exploration alternatives associated with volcanism

Abstract

In the course of 1988 when we visited the Natural Reserve of Lagoa do Fogo we became aware of massive works of soil removal, slope alterations and tree felling. All the materials were discarded into the hydrographic basin of the Ribeira Grande downstream, where this city is located. All this intervention which occurred at an altitude of 550 meters, where rain fall is about 2 500 to 3 500 l/m² per year, created a serious local environmental problem. This situation originated a degradation of a part of the Natural Reserve, contamination of spring waters for public consumption and still a seismic crisis, creating the risk of a phreatic eruption and even floods.