The geothermal system at Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii

Technical Report · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1974

OSTI ID:7257596

Murray, J C

A borehole was drilled beneath the summit of Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii to substantiate predictions made from surface-based geophysical surveys, and to provide information of the development of a hydrothermal system over a known magma chamber. The results are consistent with the predictions made from geophysical surveys: (1) brackish water was found to be present at a depth of 488 meters; and (2) the temperatures encountered in the borehole are not high enough to provide a viable geothermal reservoir. A model of the observed temperature profile was made utilizing a two-dimensional fluid convection cell. A fair match to the observed temperature distribution was made with a convection model having half-cell dimensions of 700 by 700 m. Laboratory measurements of matrix permeability were very low, suggesting that permeability is mainly provided by fractures. The formation-water resistivity as determined from geophysical logs has a salinity near that of sea water, further supporting the convection model.

• Research Organization: Colorado School of Mines, Golden (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7257596
• Report Number(s): PB-262428; T-1556
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
150303* -- Geothermal Exploration & Exploration Technology-- Exploratory Drilling & Well Logging
BOREHOLES
BRINES
CAVITIES
DRILLING
EXPLORATION
FAILURES
FRACTURES
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS
GEOTHERMAL EXPLORATION
GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS
HAWAII
NORTH AMERICA
PERMEABILITY
SALINITY
TEMPERATURE DISTRIBUTION
USA
VOLCANOES
WELL DRILLING
WESTERN REGION