Mineral Zonation and Stable Isotope Geochemistry of a Production Well in The Geysers Geothermal Field, California
- Key words
- Exploration; USA; California; The Geysers; Isotopes; Hydrothermal Alteration; Lithology
- Location
- The Geysers, California
- Conference
- Geothermal Resources Council Transactions
- Year
- 1982
- Session
- Exploration; Geological surveys; Geochemical surveys; Lithol
- Language
- English
Abstract
Petrologica and stable isotope geochemical studies were conducted on well cuttings from a Sulphur Banks tract steam well at the Geysers. The observed hydrothermal mineral zonation is indicative of an extremely hot water dominated geothermal system characterized by high fluid flow associated with fault contacts. Strata within the steam reservoir are not distinguished by diagnostic steam derived secondary alteration products. However, a late stage generation of calcite was interpreted to have been deposited during the transition of the reservoir fluid to the vapor phase. The distribution of this materials is restricted to a shallow zone corresponding to the shallow steam anomaly reported in the Sulphur Banks area.
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