Geothermal hydrology of Warner Valley, Oregon: a reconnaissance study
Warner Valley and its southern extension, Coleman Valley, are two of several high-desert valleys in the Basin and Range province of south-central Oregon that contain thermal waters. At least 20 thermal springs, defined as having temperatures of 20/sup 0/C or more, issue from Tertiary basaltic flows and tuffs in and near the valleys. Many shallow wells also produce thermal waters. The highest measured temperature is 127/sup 0/C, reported from a well known as Crump geyser, at a depth of 200 meters. The hottest spring, located near Crump geyser, has a surface temperature of 78/sup 0/C. The occurrence of these thermal waters is closely related to faults and fault intersections in the graben and horst structure of the valleys. Chemical analyses show that the thermal waters are of two types: sodium chloride and sodium bicarbonate waters. Chemical indicators show that the geothermal system is a hot-water rather than a vapor-dominated system. Conductive heat flow in areas of the valley unaffected by hydrothermal convection is probably about 75 milliwatts per square meter. The normal thermal gradient in valley-fill dpeosits in these areas may be about 40/sup 0/C per kilometer. Geothermometers and mixing models indicate that temperatures of equilibration are at least 170/sup 0/C for the thermal components of the hotter waters. The size and location of geothermal reservoirs are unknown.
- Research Organization:
- Geological Survey, Menlo Park, CA (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 5623554
- Report Number(s):
- USGS-PP-1044-I; ON: DE83910820
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
OREGON
GEOTHERMAL EXPLORATION
HEAT FLOW
HYDROLOGY
THERMAL WATERS
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
GEOTHERMOMETERS
GEYSERS
HOT-WATER SYSTEMS
ENERGY SYSTEMS
EXPLORATION
FEDERAL REGION X
GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS
HOT SPRINGS
HYDROTHERMAL SYSTEMS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
NORTH AMERICA
THERMAL SPRINGS
THERMOMETERS
USA
WATER SPRINGS
Geothermal Legacy
150201* - Geology & Hydrology of Geothermal Systems- USA- (-1989)
150302 - Geothermal Exploration & Exploration Technology- Geochemical Techniques & Surveys
150301 - Geothermal Exploration & Exploration Technology- Geophysical Techniques & Surveys