Geophysical characterization of the Carson Lake, Nevada geothermal resource

Conference · Tue Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1996

OSTI ID:495306

Ross, H ^[1]; Benoit, D; Desormier, B ^[2]

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1. Univ. of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT (United States)
2. Oxbow Power Services, Inc., Reno, NV (United States)

Temperature-gradient studies have identified a shallow temperature anomaly on the eastern margin of Carson Lake that exceeds 21 km{sup 2} (8 mi{sup 2}) in size. Deeper drilling here and on the nearby Fallon Naval Air Station has confirmed the presence of a moderate-to high-temperature geothermal system at depth. No natural surface thermal manifestations are present in the sands and silts of this part of the southern Carson Sink, but one shallow artesian thermal well is present. Public domain gravity and aeromagnetic data have been reprocessed and interpreted. When integrated with geologic mapping these provide a structural setting for the resource area. Self-potential (SP) surveys completed in the spring of 1992 and 1993 identified ten well-defined anomalies of limited extent within the area of the shallow thermal anomaly. Several of these anomalies occur near interpreted structures and structural intersections and may indicate upflow zones of thermal fluids to the near subsurface. Deep drilling is needed to prove the location and economic potential of the moderate-temperature geothermal reservoir.

• DOE Contract Number: AC07-95ID13274
• OSTI ID: 495306
• Report Number(s): CONF-960913--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
EXPLORATION
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS
GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES
MAPPING
NEVADA
RESERVOIR ROCK
TEMPERATURE SURVEYS