Valles Caldera, New Mexico: a target for the Continental Scientific Drilling Program. [Abstract only]

Journal Article · Tue Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1983 · Geol. Soc. Am., Abstr. Programs; (United States)

OSTI ID:6176635

Whetten, J; Goff, F; Heiken, G; Gardner, J; Riecker, R

The Continental Scientific Drilling Program presents an exciting opportunity to explore the roots of Valles Caldera, a large Quaternary magmahydrothermal system. The caldera is part of the Jemez volcanic field, located at the intersection of the Jemez lineament with the west margin of Rio Grande rift. Volcanic activity began here about 12 My ago and has continued intermittently. Two major eruptions, 1.4 My and 1.1 My ago, produced large volumes of rhyolitic tephra; each was accompanied by cauldron subsidence. Valles Caldera is an attractive CSD site because: (1) The broad outlines of the regional and local geology, geophysics, and geochemistry have been well studied. (2) Lithologic, geochemical, and thermal data have been obtained from many geothermal wells drilled to depths as great as 4.5 km. (3) Liquid and possible vapor-dominated hydrothermal systems occur, as do a variety of surface hot springs. (4) Several geophysical anomalies suggest magma or partly crystallized molten material at depth. The following observations and recommendations come from a Valles Caldera workshop held in 1982. There should be a program of intermediate-depth drilling (1 to 2 km) followed by one or more very deep holes that might answer such questions as: (1) What is the nature of the hydrothermal system created when a silicic magma body intrudes the earth's crust. (2) What is the structure of the basement under this deep hydrothermal system.(3) How does fluid geochemistry vary among the various hydrothermal and hot dry rock systems. (4) How accurate are current models for describing the dynamics of caldera formation and resurgence. (5) What is the nature of heat transfer from magma to overlying convecting hydrous fluids. (6) Do deep brines maintain the overlying hot water system and do they play a role in formation of ore deposits. (7) What factors control the balance between fracture propagation and hydrothermal cementation.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab., NM
• OSTI ID: 6176635
• 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

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
150303* -- Geothermal Exploration & Exploration Technology-- Exploratory Drilling & Well Logging
BACA GEOTHERMAL FIELD
CALDERAS
CHEMISTRY
DRILLING
ENERGY SYSTEMS
FEDERAL REGION VI
GEOCHEMISTRY
GEOTHERMAL FIELDS
GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS
GEOTHERMAL WELLS
HOT SPRINGS
HYDROTHERMAL SYSTEMS
JEMEZ MOUNTAINS
MAGMA SYSTEMS
MOUNTAINS
NEW MEXICO
NORTH AMERICA
RIO GRANDE RIFT
THERMAL SPRINGS
USA
WATER SPRINGS
WELL DRILLING
WELLS