Geochemistry and hydrothermal alteration at selected Utah hot springs. Final report: Volume 3 (revised)

Technical Report · Thu Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1976

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5026993· OSTI ID:5026993

Parry, W T; Benson, N L; Miller, C D

Application of Na-K-Ca geothermometry to warm springs in Utah indicates several areas with sufficiently high apparent temperatures to be of interest as geothermal exploration targets. A zone of warm springs in the Bonneville Basin show Na-K-Ca temperatures from 150/sup 0/C to 233/sup 0/C. Examination of Great Salt Lake, Bonneville sediment pore water, and Jordan Valley well-water chemistry indicates that mixing a small percent of these fluids with warm spring water can cause substantial errors in Na-K-Ca temperature estimates. Other saline deposits which may influence Na-K-Ca temperature estimates are the Paradox formation in southeastern Utah, the Muddy Creek formation in southwestern Utah, the Arapien shale in central Utah, the Preuss formation in northeastern Utah, and Playa salts in much of western Utah. The Roosevelt KGRA is the most attractive target identified by Na-K-Ca geothermometry. Hydrothermal alteration, heavy metal distribution, and water chemistry provide additional characterization of the Roosevelt system. Chemistry of a cool water seep (25/sup 0/C) shows Na-K-Ca temperature of 241/sup 0/C and SiO/sub 2/ temperature of 125/sup 0/C. A Phillips well flowing from below 1500' (457m) shows Na-K-Ca temperature of 262/sup 0/C, SiO/sub 2/ temperature of 262/sup 0/C, and K of 1.5 times the surface spring value. The near surface alteration assemblage is best explained in terms of a decrease in pH of near surface fluids as sulfide oxidizes. Increasing potassium and pH with depth indicates that a K-feldspar stable zone may be intersected with deeper drilling. Geology and alteration were mapped in the Monroe KGRA. (JGB)

• Research Organization: Utah Univ., Salt Lake City (USA). Dept. of Geology and Geophysics
• OSTI ID: 5026993
• Report Number(s): NP-23115
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
HOT SPRINGS
GEOCHEMICAL SURVEYS
GEOTHERMOMETRY
HYDROTHERMAL ALTERATION
THERMAL WATERS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
UTAH
CALCIUM COMPOUNDS
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
DIAGRAMS
GRANITES
IGNEOUS ROCKS
KGRA
MAPS
MERCURY
METAMORPHIC ROCKS
POTASSIUM COMPOUNDS
SALTS
SHALES
SODIUM COMPOUNDS
TABLES
VOLCANIC ROCKS
WATER CHEMISTRY
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS
ELEMENTS
INFORMATION
METALS
NORTH AMERICA
ROCKS
ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION
THERMAL SPRINGS
USA
Geothermal Legacy
150301* - Geothermal Exploration & Exploration Technology- Geophysical Techniques & Surveys
150302 - Geothermal Exploration & Exploration Technology- Geochemical Techniques & Surveys