Elastomechanical methods in the exploration of the Valles Caldera, New Mexico. Final report, June 8, 1981-October 8, 1981

Technical Report · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1981

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5515342· OSTI ID:5515342

Bodvarsson, G

The Valles caldera in the Jemez Mountains of New Mexico is a case of an active caldera that is an object for a comprehensive ground tilt field program to map both elastic and rheic discontinuities. Based on a rather comprehensive theoretical development that is outlined in five separate Essays, estimates of the amplitudes of some of the possible ground tilt signals were obtained. Based on the results, the strongest signals of the order of 100 to 200 nanoradians would appear to result from the purely elastic response of the caldera fill to a barometric forcing. Moreover, assuming a magmatic underplate below the Valles, barometric forcing may lead to a flexure of the upper crust that could generate tilt signals of a similar magnitude. Present data material is insufficient to allow a useful estimate to be made of the possible tilt signals due to the rheic properties of a Valles pluton that may be in the state of partial fusion.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States); Oregon State Univ., Corvallis (USA). School of Oceanography
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 5515342
• Report Number(s): UCRL-15423; ON: DE82006923
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
BACA GEOTHERMAL FIELD
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
RHEOLOGY
CALDERAS
ELASTICITY
GEOTHERMAL EXPLORATION
HEAT TRANSFER
LAVA
MAGMA SYSTEMS
NEW MEXICO
VOLCANISM
ENERGY TRANSFER
EXPLORATION
GEOTHERMAL FIELDS
GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS
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NORTH AMERICA
SOUTHWEST REGION
TENSILE PROPERTIES
USA
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