Geothermal resources in the Rio Grande Rift: origins and potential

Conference · Mon Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1980 · Trans. - Geotherm. Resour. Counc.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6375586

Harder, V; Morgan, P; Swanberg, C A

Numerous geothermal anomalies are associated with the Rio Grande Rift and to evaluate the geothermal potential of these anomalies have been evaluated. Forced convection models, driven by groundwater flow seem to provide the most generally applicable explanation for the source of the anomalies. Examples from the Mesilla and Albuquerque-Belen basins support these models. The models predict maximum temperatures in the convection systems of 124 to 139/sup 0/C (255 to 282/sup 0/F), and geothermometry studies generally support this result. Higher temperatures are indicated for the Jemez Mountains where magmatic heat is thought to be the anomaly source.

• Research Organization: New Mexico State Univ., Las Cruces
• OSTI ID: 6375586
• Report Number(s): CONF-800920-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Trans. - Geotherm. Resour. Counc.; (United States) Journal Volume: 4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
150101* -- Geothermal Energy-- Resources & Availability-- USA-- (-1989)
GEOLOGIC MODELS
GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES
GEOTHERMOMETRY
GROUND WATER
HEAT FLOW
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
ORIGIN
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RESERVOIR TEMPERATURE
RESOURCE POTENTIAL
RESOURCES
RIO GRANDE RIFT
WATER
WELL TEMPERATURE