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Geophysical Investigations of a Blind Geothermal System in Southern Gabbs Valley, Nevada

Conference · · GRC Transactions
OSTI ID:1724114
 [1];  [2];  [2];  [2];  [3];  [3];  [3];  [2]
  1. U.S. Geological Survey; Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, University of Nevada, Reno
  2. U.S. Geological Survey
  3. Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, University of Nevada, Reno
Southern Gabbs Valley in west-central Nevada, is a blind geothermal system located 5 km north of the Gabbs Valley Range and ~15 km southeast of the Don A. Campbell geothermal power plant. Previous geologic, geophysical, and geochemical studies in the Nevada play fairway project had identified a favorable setting for a blind geothermal system, documented elevated subsurface temperatures, and established the structural framework of the area. Further high resolution geophysical surveys were therefore conducted to aid in characterizing both the intrabasinal structure of the area and potential geothermal system. A total of 480 gravity stations, 300 km of ground magnetic data, and 24 magnetotelluric (MT) stations were collected. These data support the previous interpretation that the thermal anomaly occurs at the intersection of two faults bounding an intra-basin gravity high, and also show that a conductive zone (potential cap) and magnetic low coincide with this anomaly. If the magnetic low is a result of hydrothermal alteration that has demagnetized the surrounding rock, this would suggest that this is a relatively long lived geothermal system, adding to the viability of the resource.
Research Organization:
Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, University of Nevada, Reno
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
DOE Contract Number:
EE0006731
OSTI ID:
1724114
Report Number(s):
DOE-UNR-06731-16; Journal Serial ID: ISSN No. 0193-5933
Conference Information:
Journal Name: GRC Transactions Journal Volume: 42
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English