Geothermal exploration assessment and interpretation, Klamath Basin, Oregon: Swan Lake and Klamath Hills area

Technical Report · Tue May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1979

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6169865· OSTI ID:6169865

Stark, M; Goldstein, N; Wollenberg, H; Strisower, B; Hege, H; Wilt, M

A synthesis and preliminary interpretation of predominantly geophysical information relating to the Klamath Basin geothermal resource is presented. The Swan Lake Valley area, northeast of Klamath Falls, and the Klamath Hills area, south of Klamath Falls, are discussed in detail. Available geophysical data, including gravity, magnetic, electrical resistivity, microearthquake, roving dipole resistivity, audio-magnetotelluric (AMT) and magnetotelluric (MT) data sets, are examined and reinterpreted for these areas. One- and two-dimensional modeling techniques are applied, and general agreement among overlapping data sets is achieved. The MT method appears well suited to this type of exploration, although interpretation is difficult in the complex geology. Roving dipole and AMT are useful in reconnaissance, while gravity and magnetics help in defining structure. For the Swan Lake Valley the data suggest buried electrically conductive zones beneath Meadow Lake Valley and Swan Lake, connected by a conductive layer at 1 kilometer depth. In the Klamath Hills area, the data suggest a conductive zone centered near the northwestern tip of Stukel Mountain, associated with a concealed northeast-trending cross-fault. Another conductive zone appears near some producing hot wells at the southwestern edge of the Klamath Hills. These conductive zones may represent geothermal reservoirs. Follow-up work is recommended for each target area.

• Research Organization: California Univ., Berkeley (USA). Lawrence Berkeley Lab.
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 6169865
• Report Number(s): LBL-8186
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
150201 -- Geology & Hydrology of Geothermal Systems-- USA-- (-1989)
150301* -- Geothermal Exploration & Exploration Technology-- Geophysical Techniques & Surveys
EARTHQUAKES
ELECTRICAL SURVEYS
ELECTROMAGNETIC SURVEYS
GEOLOGY
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS
GRAVITY SURVEYS
Geothermal Legacy
KGRA
MAGNETIC SURVEYS
MAGNETOTELLURIC SURVEYS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MICROEARTHQUAKES
NORTH AMERICA
OREGON
PACIFIC NORTHWEST REGION
SEISMIC EVENTS
USA