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U.S. Department of Energy
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Electromagnetic soundings for geothermal resources in Dixie Valley, Nevada

Conference ·
OSTI ID:5632897
An electromagnetic (EM) sounding survey was performed over a region encompassing the Dixie Valley geothermal field to map the subsurface resistivity in the geothermal field and the surrounding area. The EM survey, consisting of 19 frequency-domain depth soundings made with the LBL EM-60 system, was undertaken to explore a narrow region adjacent to the Stillwater Range to a depth of 2 to 3 km. Lithologic and well log resistivity information from well 66-21 show that for EM interpretation the section can be reduced to a three-layer model consisting of moderately resistive alluvial sediments, low resistivity lacustrine sediments, and high resistivity Tertiary volcanics and older rocks. This three layer model was used as a starting point in interpreting EM sounding data. Variations in resistivity and thickness provided structural information and clues to the accumulation of geothermal fluids. The interpreted soundings reveal a 1 to 1.5-km-deep low-resistivity zone spatially associated with the geothermal field. The shallow depth suggests that the zone detected is either fluid leakage or hydrothermal alteration, rather than high-temperature reservoir fluids. The position of the low-resistivity zone also conforms to changes in depth to the high resistivity basal layer, suggesting that faulting is a control on the location of productive intervals. 10 refs., 7 figs.
Research Organization:
Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC03-76SF00098
OSTI ID:
5632897
Report Number(s):
LBL-19321; CONF-850801-35; ON: DE85011986
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English