Structural Controls of the Emerson Pass Geothermal System, Washoe County, Nevada
- Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, University of Nevada, Reno
We have conducted a detailed geologic study to better characterize a blind geothermal system in Emerson Pass on the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Reservation, western Nevada. A thermal anomaly was discovered in Emerson Pass by use of 2 m temperature surveys deployed within a structurally favorable setting and proximal to surface features indicative of geothermal activity. The anomaly lies at the western edge of a broad left step at the northeast end of Pyramid Lake between the north- to north-northeast-striking, west-dipping, Fox and Lake Range normal faults. The 2-m temperature surveys have defined a N-S elongate thermal anomaly that has a maximum recorded temperature of ~60°C and resides on a north- to north-northeaststriking fault. Travertine mounds, chalcedonic silica veins, and silica cemented Pleistocene lacustrine gravels in Emerson Pass indicate a robust geothermal system active at the surface in the recent past. Structural complexity and spatial heterogeneities of the strain and stress field have developed in the step-over region, but kinematic data suggest a WNW-trending (~280° azimuth) extension direction. The geothermal system is likely hosted in Emerson Pass as a result of enhanced permeability generated by the intersection of two oppositely dipping, southward terminating north- to north-northwest-striking (Fox Range fault) and northnortheast- striking faults.
- Research Organization:
- Geothermal Resources Council
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE; USDOE EE Office of Geothermal Technologies (EE-2C)
- Contributing Organization:
- Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, University of Nevada, Reno
- DOE Contract Number:
- EE0002842
- OSTI ID:
- 1110518
- Report Number(s):
- DOE-Pyramid-2842-rba-1
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Geothermal Resource Council Annual Meeting, Reno, NV, September 30-October 3, 2012
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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