Modeling self-potential data in the Abraham and Meadow-Hatton geothermal systems: The search for upflow zones

Schima, S; Wilt, M; Ross, H

Title: Modeling self-potential data in the Abraham and Meadow-Hatton geothermal systems: The search for upflow zones

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Abstract

Self-potential (SP) measurements may be used to locate up-flow zones in geothermal systems. As geothermal waters move beneath the surface, the resulting pressure and heat variations are seen as anomalies in the electrical currents that are measured within or at the surface. Beginning in 1991, Ross et al. collected SP data at Abraham and Meadow-Hatton Hot Springs, two of the largest thermal spring systems in Utah. In this paper, these data were modeled to determine upflow zones and source characteristics using a numerical modeling code. The code calculates the forward solution for fluid or heat flow models and the resulting self-potential anomalies. These results were matched to field data by iterative forward modeling; that is, we adjusted the model until field and numerical data agreed. At Abraham Hot Springs, a 3 km, north-south trending, dipolar anomaly was measured, centered on a suspected fault zone. The anomaly was not coincident with the hot springs themselves. Modeling indicates that the upflow originates from about 200 m depth, ascends up the fault zone to a shallow aquifer, where it then migrates eastward to outflow at the hot springs. At Meadow-Hatton Hot Springs, two closely spaced negative anomalies, also about 3 km long trendingmore »« less

Authors:

Schima, S; Wilt, M ^[1]; Ross, H

Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (United States)

Publication Date:: Sun Dec 31 00:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI Identifier:: 175629

Report Number(s):: CONF-951037-
TRN: 95:008065-0041

DOE Contract Number:: W-7405-ENG-48

Resource Type:: Conference

Resource Relation:: Conference: Annual meeting of the Geothermal Resources Council, Reno, NV (United States), 8-11 Oct 1995; Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of Accomplishments of the past and challenges of the future. Transactions, Volume 19; PB: 604 p.

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

Subject:: 15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY; UTAH; GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS; HOT SPRINGS; HYDROLOGY; FLOW MODELS

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                    Schima, S, Wilt, M, and Ross, H. Modeling self-potential data in the Abraham and Meadow-Hatton geothermal systems: The search for upflow zones.  United States: N. p., 1995. 
        Web.

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                    Schima, S, Wilt, M, & Ross, H. Modeling self-potential data in the Abraham and Meadow-Hatton geothermal systems: The search for upflow zones.  United States.

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                    Schima, S, Wilt, M, and Ross, H. 1995.  
        "Modeling self-potential data in the Abraham and Meadow-Hatton geothermal systems: The search for upflow zones".  United States.

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@article{osti_175629,

  title        = {Modeling self-potential data in the Abraham and Meadow-Hatton geothermal systems: The search for upflow zones},

  author       = {Schima, S and Wilt, M and Ross, H},

  abstractNote = {Self-potential (SP) measurements may be used to locate up-flow zones in geothermal systems. As geothermal waters move beneath the surface, the resulting pressure and heat variations are seen as anomalies in the electrical currents that are measured within or at the surface. Beginning in 1991, Ross et al. collected SP data at Abraham and Meadow-Hatton Hot Springs, two of the largest thermal spring systems in Utah. In this paper, these data were modeled to determine upflow zones and source characteristics using a numerical modeling code. The code calculates the forward solution for fluid or heat flow models and the resulting self-potential anomalies. These results were matched to field data by iterative forward modeling; that is, we adjusted the model until field and numerical data agreed. At Abraham Hot Springs, a 3 km, north-south trending, dipolar anomaly was measured, centered on a suspected fault zone. The anomaly was not coincident with the hot springs themselves. Modeling indicates that the upflow originates from about 200 m depth, ascends up the fault zone to a shallow aquifer, where it then migrates eastward to outflow at the hot springs. At Meadow-Hatton Hot Springs, two closely spaced negative anomalies, also about 3 km long trending north-south, were modeled to show two upflow sources at about 200 m depth. The flow likely ascends up fractured zones until it reaches a shallow travertine layer and disperses laterally, with very little outflow at the hot springs at present.},

  doi          = {},

  url          = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/175629},
  journal      = {},
number       = ,

  volume       = ,

  place        = {United States},

  year         = {Sun Dec 31 00:00:00 EST 1995},

  month        = {Sun Dec 31 00:00:00 EST 1995}

}

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