TY - GEN
T1 - A geophysical characterization of the structural framework of the Camas Prairie geothermal system, southcentral Idaho
AU - Glen, Jonathan M.G.
AU - Liberty, Lee
AU - Peacock, Jared
AU - Gasperikova, Erika
AU - Earney, Tait
AU - Schermerhorn, William
AU - Siler, Drew
AU - Shervais, John
AU - Dobson, Patrick
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 International Journal of Caring Sciences. All rights reserved.
PY - 2018
Y1 - 2018
N2 - Play Fairway Analysis methods, utilizing existing geologic, thermal, geochemical, and geophysical data were employed in an initial assessment of geothermal resources in the Snake River Plain. These efforts identified the Camas Prairie in southcentral Idaho as a region with elevated resource potential. Subsequent efforts included structural and geophysical data collection to identify the most favorable structural settings for exploiting resources in the valley. The present work involved high-resolution gravity, magnetic, magnetotellurics (MT), field mapping, and seismic surveys to further characterize the system and target sites for exploration drilling around Barron's Hot Springs (BHS) in the southwest part of the valley. Geophysical mapping and modeling reveal that the BHS coincides with a complex intersection of two major fault systems: a prominent NW-trending system that includes the Pothole fault, and EW-trending basin-bounding faults that control NS-extension. This complex zone includes a dense network of EW-oriented faults and a right stepover in the Pothole fault which, given the dominant dextral-normal to normal slip inferred for this fault, would promote extension in the immediate vicinity of the BHS. Surface faulting in this region indicate Pleistocene or younger slip, and seismic imaging documents offsets of shallow strata that suggest ongoing activity on these structures. MT modeling results show that this zone also coincides with a prominent conductive anomaly, characteristic of the presence of hydrothermal alteration or hydrothermal fluids. These results point to the importance of these structures in maintaining current and long-lived shallow hydrothermal activity around the BHS. The detailed structural mapping and conceptual framework developed from this study provide critical constraints for siting a drill hole aimed at documenting reservoir characteristics and informing potential future development of these geothermal resources.
AB - Play Fairway Analysis methods, utilizing existing geologic, thermal, geochemical, and geophysical data were employed in an initial assessment of geothermal resources in the Snake River Plain. These efforts identified the Camas Prairie in southcentral Idaho as a region with elevated resource potential. Subsequent efforts included structural and geophysical data collection to identify the most favorable structural settings for exploiting resources in the valley. The present work involved high-resolution gravity, magnetic, magnetotellurics (MT), field mapping, and seismic surveys to further characterize the system and target sites for exploration drilling around Barron's Hot Springs (BHS) in the southwest part of the valley. Geophysical mapping and modeling reveal that the BHS coincides with a complex intersection of two major fault systems: a prominent NW-trending system that includes the Pothole fault, and EW-trending basin-bounding faults that control NS-extension. This complex zone includes a dense network of EW-oriented faults and a right stepover in the Pothole fault which, given the dominant dextral-normal to normal slip inferred for this fault, would promote extension in the immediate vicinity of the BHS. Surface faulting in this region indicate Pleistocene or younger slip, and seismic imaging documents offsets of shallow strata that suggest ongoing activity on these structures. MT modeling results show that this zone also coincides with a prominent conductive anomaly, characteristic of the presence of hydrothermal alteration or hydrothermal fluids. These results point to the importance of these structures in maintaining current and long-lived shallow hydrothermal activity around the BHS. The detailed structural mapping and conceptual framework developed from this study provide critical constraints for siting a drill hole aimed at documenting reservoir characteristics and informing potential future development of these geothermal resources.
KW - Camas Prairie
KW - Faulting
KW - Geothermal
KW - Gravity
KW - Hot springs
KW - Hydrothermal
KW - Idaho
KW - Magnetics
KW - Magnetotellurics (MT)
KW - Play Fairway Analysis
KW - Potential field modeling
KW - Seismic reflection
KW - Structure
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85059888649&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:85059888649
T3 - Transactions - Geothermal Resources Council
SP - 466
EP - 481
BT - Geothermal's Role in Today's Energy Market - Geothermal Resources Council 2018 Annual Meeting, GRC 2018
T2 - Geothermal Resources Council 2018 Annual Meeting: Geothermal's Role in Today's Energy Market, GRC 2018
Y2 - 14 October 2018 through 17 October 2018
ER -