Heat flow at the Valles Caldera, New Mexico. [Abstract only]

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

OSTI ID:6176827

Swanberg, C A

The Valles Caldera is located in Northern New Mexico and is one of the major silicic volcanic centers of the United States. Tectonically, the caldera is located at the intersection of the Jemez Lineament and Rio Grande rift, both of which are associated with high heat flow and Quaternary volcanism. Detailed temperature logs from 70 shallow boreholes and 15 deep geothermal wells constitute the data base for the present study. The temperature gradient data have been fit to a low order and a high order polynomial with the following results: (1) Temperature gradients typically range from 100 to 500/sup 0/C/km although several wells located in hot spring areas have gradients as high as 700/sup 0/C/km. (2) The thermal anomaly associated with the Valles Caldera is areally quite extensive with the 200/sup 0/C/km contour (high order polynomial) enclosing roughly 150 km/sup 2/. (3) A low order polynomial fit to the data yields an excellent correlation between the temperature gradient contours and the main ring fracture system of the caldera, implying that both the thermal and structural anomalies originate from the same source. This is taken as evidence for a shallow magma chamber beneath the calders. (4) Maximum subsurface temperatures measured in the deep geothermal wells are roughly 330/sup 0/C although 280/sup 0/ to 310/sup 0/ is more typical. Most geothermal wells reach 200/sup 0/C by 600 meters.

• Research Organization: New Mexico State Univ., Las Cruces
• OSTI ID: 6176827
• 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
150301* -- Geothermal Exploration & Exploration Technology-- Geophysical Techniques & Surveys
BACA GEOTHERMAL FIELD
CALDERAS
FEDERAL REGION VI
GEOTHERMAL FIELDS
GEOTHERMAL WELLS
HEAT FLOW
HOT SPRINGS
NEW MEXICO
NORTH AMERICA
RIO GRANDE RIFT
TEMPERATURE GRADIENTS
THERMAL SPRINGS
USA
WATER SPRINGS
WELLS