Water Sampling At Dixie Valley Geothermal Area (Kennedy & Soest, 2006)

GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

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Exploration Activity: Water Sampling At Dixie Valley Geothermal Area (Kennedy & Soest, 2006)

Exploration Activity Details
Location	Dixie Valley Geothermal Area
Exploration Technique	Water Sampling
Activity Date	2004 - 2005
Usefulness	useful
DOE-funding	Unknown

Exploration Basis

The purpose of this research activity was to determine the fluid and heat source, Identify flow paths, and evaluate the possibility of a more extensive deep geothermal reservoir supplying Dixie Valley.

Notes

Geothermal water and gas samples from throughout Dixie valley were gathered from wells, springs, and fumaroles. These samples were analyzed for noble gas abundances and their helium isotropic compositions. It was found that the geothermal fluids range from 0.70 to 0.76 Ra, and approximately 7.5% of the total helium is derived from the mantle. A simple one-dimensional steady state fluid flow model was used to analyze the vertical fluid flow rate which was determined to flow from the mantle at an average pace of about 7 mm/yr. The mode of transport for the mantle derived 3HE to the surface is fluid transport via the Stillwater Range Front fault system. This study suggests that the geothermal potential of the Stillwater Range Front fault system might be much larger than the 6-8 km long segment that is currently being utilized.

References

• B. M. Kennedy, M. C. van Soest (2006) A Helium Isotope Perspective On The Dixie Valley, Nevada, Hydrothermal System