Geochemistry and geothermometry of the Desert Hot Springs GRA

Journal Article · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1986 · Geotherm. Hot Line; (United States)

OSTI ID:7149171

Since 1941, about 200 low-temperature geothermal wells (below 100/sup 0/C) have been drilled in the Desert Hot Springs Geothermal Resource Area (GRA). Water produced from some of the wells reaches temperatures of about 90/sup 0/C. The northwesterly-trending Mission Creek fault borders the GRA on the southwest. Geothermal water is produced from the alluvial deposits underlying the GRA. Chemical analyses of water from 22 wells throughout the GRA indicate the geothermally heated water north of the Mission Creek fault is high in sodium and sulfate, differing from the water samples south of the fault, which is high in calcium and bicarbonate. The results of the study indicate that meteoric water, originating in the San Bernardino Mountains, flows southeasterly toward the GRA along the Mission Creek fault. Geothermometry indicates that the water is heated to temperatures as high as 110/sup 0/C at depths between 2.7 km and 3.0 km. The geothermal water ascends along fractures near the intersections of the subsidiary Blind Canyon and Long Canyon faults. After cresting in the shallow alluvial rock, some geothermal water flows northeasterly and southwesterly. All of the water, however, eventually flows southeasterly along the direction of the regional hydraulic gradient.

• OSTI ID: 7149171
• Journal Information: Geotherm. Hot Line; (United States), Journal Name: Geotherm. Hot Line; (United States) Vol. 16:1-2; ISSN GHLID
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
150300* -- Geothermal Exploration & Exploration Technology
ALKALI METALS
CALIFORNIA
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CHEMISTRY
ELEMENTS
FEDERAL REGION IX
FLUID FLOW
FLUIDS
GEOCHEMISTRY
GEOLOGIC FAULTS
GEOLOGIC FRACTURES
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GEOTHERMAL FLUIDS
GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES
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GROUND WATER
HOT SPRINGS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MAPS
METALS
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RESERVOIR TEMPERATURE
RESOURCES
SODIUM
SULFATES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
THERMAL SPRINGS
USA
WATER
WATER CHEMISTRY
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WELLS