Preliminary Geothermal Investigations in West Virginia
- Key words
- Exploration; General; USA; West Virginia; Temperature; Gradient; Geochemistry; Groundwater; Geology; Geothermometers; Hot Springs; Magnetic Survey; Gravity Survey; Low Temperature; Resource Assessment
- Location
- West Virginia
- Conference
- Geothermal Resources Council Transactions
- Year
- 1981
- Session
- Exploration; Geochemical surveys; Heat flow; Geophysical sur
- Language
- English
Abstract
Deep sedimentary basins and warm springs systems are potential geothermal resources in West Virginia. A temperature gradient map based on 800 BHT for WV shows that variation of temperature gradients trend NE parallel to regional structure. Highest temperature gradient values of about 28°C/km occur in the east central WV and the lowest gradients (18°C/km) are found over the Rome trough. Results of ground water geochemistry indicate that the warm springs circulate in very shallow aquifers and are subject to seasonal temperature fluctuations. Silica heat flow data in WV varies from about .89 to 1.4 HFU and generally increases towards the west. Bouguer, magnetic and temperature gradient profiles suggest that an ancient rift transects the State and is the site of several deep sedimentary basins.
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