Preliminary Geothermal Investigations in New York State
- Key words
- Exploration; Reservoir Assessment; Hot Dry Rock; USA; New York; Heat Flow; East Aurora; Cayuga Lake; Geothermometer; Geochemistry; Silica; Gravity; Temperature Gradient; US DOE; LANL
- Location
- East Aurora, New York; Cayuga Lake, New York
- Conference
- Geothermal Resources Council Transactions
- Year
- 1979
- Session
- Exploration; Heat flow; Temperature gradients; Geochemical s
- Language
- English
Abstract
The AAPG temperature gradient map and the few available published heat flow data for the area indicated a possible potential for geothermal resource in western and central New York State. A new analysis of bottom hole temperature data for the state confirms the existence of two positive gradient anomalies, the East Aurora and Cayuga anomalies with gradients as high at 27°C/km (1.5°F/100 ft) and 30°C/km (1.6°F/100 ft) respectively. Groundwater's from both anomalies are enriched in silica concentration relative to surrounding areas. Heat flows based on silica geothermometry are 50-70 mWm-2 for the anomalies and 41.4 mWm-2 for regional heat flow. A correlation between Bouguer gravity anomalies and the temperature gradient map suggest that the source of the goethermal anomalies may be radiogenic granites in the Precambrian basement rocks.
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