Geological interpretation of self-potential data from the Cerro Prieto geothermal field

Conference · Fri Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1980

OSTI ID:5195971

Corwin, R F; Fitterman, D V

A source mechanism based on concepts of irreversible thermodynamics and consisting of heat or fluid flow along a north-south trending zone of faulting is proposed for the self-potential anomaly measured over the Cerro Prieto geothermal reservoir. The source region is represented by a vertical plane of that separates regions of differing streaming potential or thermoelectric coupling coefficients. The coupling coefficient contrast could be caused by vertical offset of rock units along faults. The depth to the top of the source plane is about 1.3 km, its vertical extent is about 11 km, and its length along strike is about 10 km. Geological, geophysical, and mineralogical evidence supports the existence of an important north-south geological trend roughly corresponding in location to the proposed self-potential source plane.

• Research Organization: California Univ., Berkeley (USA); Geological Survey, Denver, CO (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 5195971
• Report Number(s): LBL-9544; CONF-7910166-12
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
150301* -- Geothermal Exploration & Exploration Technology-- Geophysical Techniques & Surveys
CERRO PRIETO GEOTHERMAL FIELD
ELECTRICAL SURVEYS
FLUID FLOW
GEOLOGIC FAULTS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GEOLOGY
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS
GEOTHERMAL FIELDS
Geothermal Legacy
HEAT FLOW
MINERALOGY
SELF-POTENTIAL SURVEYS
SURVEYS