Helium and ground temperature surveys at Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Special Publication 21

Technical Report · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1982

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6817294· OSTI ID:6817294

McCarthy, K P; Been, J; Reimer, G M; Bowles, C G; Murrey, D G

As demonstrated in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, helium and shallow temperature surveys are quick, inexpensive geothermal exploration methods that can be used together with excellent results in an urban environment. Steamboat Springs, in northwestern Colorado, lies primarily upon terrace gravels and alluvium with the major structure being a north-trending normal fault passing through the western portion of the city. Work by Christopherson (1979) indicates that the Steamboat warm springs are not laterally connected at shallow depth with Routt Hot Springs, 10 Km (6 mi) to the north, although both resource areas are fault controlled. A shallow temperature survey was conducted in the city to determine the usefulness of this method to delineate a low temperature resource. Several extraneous factors influencing shallow temperature measurements were dealt with by field technique or subsequent analysis. A helium survey was conducted to compare with temperature results. Sixty-two soil helium samples were taken, using an interval of .1 to .2 Km (.06 to .12 mi), twice the density of the 18 temperature probe stations. A mobile spectrometer allowed immediate analysis of helium samples. The contoured data from each method correlate well spatially and indicate that two faults control the resource in Steamboat Springs. Although these surveys should always be used to supplement other data, their utility in this study was readily apparent.

• Research Organization: Colorado Geological Survey, Denver (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AS07-77ET28365
• OSTI ID: 6817294
• Report Number(s): DOE/ET/28365-21; ON: DE84012501
• 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
150302 -- Geothermal Exploration & Exploration Technology-- Geochemical Techniques & Surveys
COLORADO
ELEMENTS
EXPLORATION
FEDERAL REGION VIII
FLUIDS
GASES
GEOCHEMICAL SURVEYS
GEOLOGY
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS
GEOTHERMAL EXPLORATION
GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES
Geothermal Legacy
HELIUM
HOT SPRINGS
NONMETALS
NORTH AMERICA
RARE GASES
RESOURCES
SURVEYS
TEMPERATURE SURVEYS
THERMAL SPRINGS
USA
WATER SPRINGS