Hydrothermal systems of the Wood River district, ID. [Abstract only]
Hydrothermal systems of the Wood River district, central Idaho, have been studied by detailed geologic mapping and geochemical analyses of thermal and non-thermal waters. Integration of the results has led to thermal and non-thermal waters. Integration of the results has led to development of a target model for hydrothermal resources on the margin of the Idaho Batholith. Warfield Hot Springs, with temperatures up to 58/sup 0/C, flow from a major shear zone along the margin of an apophysis of the batholith. Hailey Hot Springs, with temperatures up to 60/sup 0/C, occur in an area of normal and thrust faults in the Paleozoic Milligen and Wood River Formations, 2.5 km from a highly brecciated batholith contact. Other Wood River district hydrothermal systems also occur along the margins of batholith apophyses or in adjacent highly fractured Paleozoic rocks. The Wood River district thermal waters are geochemically district from the local ground water. Thermal waters circulate through batholith rocks, with little or no equilibration with Paleozoic sedimentary or Tertiary volcanic rocks. The thermal waters are high F (11 to 19 ppM), low TDS (190 to 322 ppM) NaHCO/sub 3/-SO/sub 4/ waters, with up to half of the TDS as silica. The Magic Hot Springs system is higher TDS (about 1000 ppM) than the other sites. Geochemical thermometers for most systems are below 100/sup 0/C; Magic Hot Springs is about 150/sup 0/C. Thermal waters at the margin of the batholith are chemically similar to those in the interior of the batholith. The location of thermal systems at the margin of small apophyses of the Idaho Batholith is similar to other thermal systems in the western US. The waters circulate deep in the batholith rocks, and surface in either the intrusive or intruded rocks. Specific thermal systems are controlled by the most favorable fracture permeability for the circulation of water.
- Research Organization:
- Earth Science Lab., Salt Lake City, UT
- OSTI ID:
- 6020320
- Journal Information:
- Geol. Soc. Am., Abstr. Programs; (United States), Journal Name: Geol. Soc. Am., Abstr. Programs; (United States) Vol. 15:5; ISSN GAAPB
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Geothermal resource analysis in the Big Wood River Valley, Blaine County, Idaho
Water information bulletin No. 30, part 13: geothermal investigations in Idaho. Preliminary geologic reconnaissance of the geothermal occurrences of the Wood River Drainage Area
Related Subjects
150201* -- Geology & Hydrology of Geothermal Systems-- USA-- (-1989)
ENERGY SYSTEMS
FEDERAL REGION X
GEOCHEMICAL SURVEYS
GEOLOGICAL SURVEYS
GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS
GEOTHERMOMETERS
HOT SPRINGS
HYDROTHERMAL SYSTEMS
IDAHO
MAPPING
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
NORTH AMERICA
RESOURCE POTENTIAL
RIO GRANDE RIFT
ROCKS
SURVEYS
THERMAL SPRINGS
THERMAL WATERS
THERMOMETERS
USA
WATER SPRINGS