Caldera processes and magma-hydrothermal systems continental scientific drilling program: thermal regimes, Valles caldera research, scientific and management plan

Technical Report · Thu May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1986

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5467724· OSTI ID:5467724

Goff, F; Nielson, D L ^[1]

---

1. eds.

Long-range core-drilling operations and initial scientific investigations are described for four sites in the Valles caldera, New Mexico. The plan concentrates on the period 1986 to 1993 and has six primary objectives: (1) study the origin, evolution, physical/chemical dynamics of the vapor-dominated portion of the Valles geothermal system; (2) investigate the characteristics of caldera fill and mechanisms of caldera collapse and resurgence; (3) determine the physical/chemical conditions in the heat transfer zone between crystallizing plutons and the hydrothermal system; (4) study the mechanism of ore deposition in the caldera environment; (5) develop and test high-temperature drilling techniques and logging tools; and (6) evaluate the geothermal resource within a large silicic caldera. Core holes VC-2a (500 m) and VC-2b (2000 m) are planned in the Sulphur Springs area; these core holes will probe the vapor-dominated zone, the underlying hot-water-dominated zone, the boiling interface and probable ore deposition between the two zones, and the deep structure and stratigraphy along the western part of the Valles caldera fracture zone and resurgent dome. Core hole VC-3 will involve reopening existing well Baca number12 and deepening it from 3.2 km (present total depth) to 5.5 km, this core hole will penetrate the deep-crystallized silicic pluton, investigate conductive heat transfer in that zone, and study the evolution of the central resurgent dome. Core hole VC-4 is designed to penetrate deep into the presumably thick caldera fill in eastern Valles caldera and examine the relationship between caldera formation, sedimentation, tectonics, and volcanism. Core hole VC-5 is to test structure, stratigraphy, and magmatic evolution of pre-Valles caldera rocks, their relations to Valles caldera, and the influences of regional structure on volcanism and caldera formation.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 5467724
• Report Number(s): LA-10737-OBES; ON: DE86013628
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
150201* -- Geology & Hydrology of Geothermal Systems-- USA-- (-1989)
150303 -- Geothermal Exploration & Exploration Technology-- Exploratory Drilling & Well Logging
152000 -- Geothermal Data & Theory
58 GEOSCIENCES
580202 -- Geophysics-- Volcanology-- (1980-1989)
CALDERAS
DRILL CORES
DRILLING
ENERGY TRANSFER
FEDERAL REGION VI
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS
Geothermal Legacy
HEAT TRANSFER
JEMEZ MOUNTAINS
MOUNTAINS
NEW MEXICO
NORTH AMERICA
ORIGIN
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
RESOURCE ASSESSMENT
USA
VOLCANISM
WELL DRILLING