Geology, Resistivity, and Hydrogeochemistry of the Ojo Caliente Hot Springs Area, Northern New Mexico
- Key words
- Exploration; USA; New Mexico; Ojo Caliente; Geologic Maps; Geochemistry; Electrical Conductivity; Low Temperature
- Location
- Ojo Caliente, New Mexico
- Conference
- Geothermal Resources Council Transactions
- Year
- 1982
- Session
- Exploration; Geochemical surveys; Geophysical surveys; Geolo
- Language
- English
Abstract
Geothermal fluids of the Ojo Caliente area discharge from a northeast trending normal fault that juxtaposes Precambrian metarhyolite and Tertiary sediments. An electrical resistivity survey shows that the fluids emerge from the fault and flow as a plume of thermal water into cold aquifers east of the fault. Geochemistry of fluids indicates a maximum reservoir temperature at depth of 80°C with no suggestion of high temperature isotopic exchange between water and reservoir rocks. From this data, we believe the Ojo Caliente system is suitable only for small scale direct use geothermal applications.
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