Geothermal Resources in the Rio Grande Rift: Origins and Potential
- Key words
- Exploration; General; USA; New Mexico; Rio Grande Rift; General; Anomalies; Convection Systems
- Location
- New Mexico; Rio Grande Rift
- Conference
- Geothermal Resources Council Transactions
- Year
- 1980
- Session
- Exploration;Geothermal overviews
- Language
- English
Abstract
Numerous geothermal anomalies are associated with the Rio Grande Rift and to evaluate the geothermal potential of these anomalies various models for the source of the anomalies have been evaluated. Forced convection models, driven by groundwater flow seems to provide the most generally applicable explanation for the source of the anomalies. Examples from the Mesilla and Albuquerque-Belen basins support these model. The models predict maximum temperature in the convection systems of 124-139°C (225-282°F), and geothermometry studies generally support this result. Higher temperatures are indicated for the Jemez Mountains where magmatic heat is thought to be the anomaly source.
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