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Title: Low-to-moderate temperature geothermal resource assessment for Nevada: Area specific studies, final report for the period June 1, 1980-August 30, 1981

Abstract

The Hawthorne study area is located in Mineral County, Nevada and surrounds the municipality of the same name. It encompasses an area of approximately 310 sq. km (120 sq. mi), and most of the land belongs to the US Army Ammunition Plant. The energy needs of the military combined with those of the area population (over 5,000 residents) are substantial. The area is classified as having a high potential for direct applications using the evaluation scheme described in Trexler and others (1979). A variety of scientific techniques was employed during area-wide resource assessment. General geologic studies demonstrate the lithologic diversity in the area; these studies also indicate possible sources for dissolved fluid constituents. Geophysical investigations include aeromagnetic and gravity surveys which aid in defining the nature of regional, and to a lesser extent, local variations in subsurface configurations. Surface and near-surface structural features are determined using various types of photo imagery including low sun-angle photography. An extensive shallow depth temperature probe survey indicates two zones of elevated temperature on opposite sides of the Walker Lake basin. Temperature-depth profiles from several wells in the study area indicate significant thermal fluid-bearing aquifers. Fluid chemical studies suggest a wide spatial distribution for themore » resource, and also suggest a meteoric recharge source in the Wassuk Range. Finally, a soil-mercury survey was not a useful technique in this study area. Two test holes were drilled to conclude the area resource assessment, and thermal fluids were encountered in both wells. The western well has measured temperatures as high as 90 C (194 F) within 150 meters (500 ft) of the surface. Temperature profiles in this well indicate a negative temperature gradient below 180 meters (590 ft). The eastern hole had a bottom hole temperature of 61 C (142 F) at a depth of only 120 meters (395 ft). A positive gradient is observed to a total depth in the well.« less

Authors:
; ; ; ;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
891554
Report Number(s):
DOE/NV/10039-3
DE81030487; TRN: US200622%%244
DOE Contract Number:  
AC08-79NV10039
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY; 45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE; AMMUNITION; AQUIFERS; EVALUATION; GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES; GRAVITY SURVEYS; LAKES; METERS; NEVADA; PHOTOGRAPHY; PROBES; RESOURCE ASSESSMENT; SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION; TEMPERATURE GRADIENTS; Geothermal Legacy

Citation Formats

Trexler, Dennis T, Koeing, Brian A, Flynn, Thomas, Bruce, James L, and Ghusn, George Jr. Low-to-moderate temperature geothermal resource assessment for Nevada: Area specific studies, final report for the period June 1, 1980-August 30, 1981. United States: N. p., 1981. Web. doi:10.2172/891554.
Trexler, Dennis T, Koeing, Brian A, Flynn, Thomas, Bruce, James L, & Ghusn, George Jr. Low-to-moderate temperature geothermal resource assessment for Nevada: Area specific studies, final report for the period June 1, 1980-August 30, 1981. United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/891554
Trexler, Dennis T, Koeing, Brian A, Flynn, Thomas, Bruce, James L, and Ghusn, George Jr. 1981. "Low-to-moderate temperature geothermal resource assessment for Nevada: Area specific studies, final report for the period June 1, 1980-August 30, 1981". United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/891554. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/891554.
@article{osti_891554,
title = {Low-to-moderate temperature geothermal resource assessment for Nevada: Area specific studies, final report for the period June 1, 1980-August 30, 1981},
author = {Trexler, Dennis T and Koeing, Brian A and Flynn, Thomas and Bruce, James L and Ghusn, George Jr},
abstractNote = {The Hawthorne study area is located in Mineral County, Nevada and surrounds the municipality of the same name. It encompasses an area of approximately 310 sq. km (120 sq. mi), and most of the land belongs to the US Army Ammunition Plant. The energy needs of the military combined with those of the area population (over 5,000 residents) are substantial. The area is classified as having a high potential for direct applications using the evaluation scheme described in Trexler and others (1979). A variety of scientific techniques was employed during area-wide resource assessment. General geologic studies demonstrate the lithologic diversity in the area; these studies also indicate possible sources for dissolved fluid constituents. Geophysical investigations include aeromagnetic and gravity surveys which aid in defining the nature of regional, and to a lesser extent, local variations in subsurface configurations. Surface and near-surface structural features are determined using various types of photo imagery including low sun-angle photography. An extensive shallow depth temperature probe survey indicates two zones of elevated temperature on opposite sides of the Walker Lake basin. Temperature-depth profiles from several wells in the study area indicate significant thermal fluid-bearing aquifers. Fluid chemical studies suggest a wide spatial distribution for the resource, and also suggest a meteoric recharge source in the Wassuk Range. Finally, a soil-mercury survey was not a useful technique in this study area. Two test holes were drilled to conclude the area resource assessment, and thermal fluids were encountered in both wells. The western well has measured temperatures as high as 90 C (194 F) within 150 meters (500 ft) of the surface. Temperature profiles in this well indicate a negative temperature gradient below 180 meters (590 ft). The eastern hole had a bottom hole temperature of 61 C (142 F) at a depth of only 120 meters (395 ft). A positive gradient is observed to a total depth in the well.},
doi = {10.2172/891554},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/891554}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Sun Aug 30 00:00:00 EDT 1981},
month = {Sun Aug 30 00:00:00 EDT 1981}
}