A Preliminary Report of Na/K/Ca Geothermometric Mapping in the San Jacinto and Elsinore Fault Zones, Southern California
- Key words
- Exploration; Geochemical Surveys; USA; Southern California; San Bernardino; Geothermometry; Lake Arrowhead; Borrego
- Location
- Lake Elsinore, California; Elsinore Fault Zone, California; San Jacinto Fault Zone, California
- Conference
- Geothermal Resources Council Transactions
- Year
- 1986
- Session
- Exploration; Geochemical surveys; Geothermometers
- Language
- English
Abstract
Na/K/Ca geothermometry is used to identify sties for future geothermal exploration of low temperature geothermal resources (<90°C) in the San Jacinto and Elsinore fault zones. Based on 1,800 chemical analyses of well waters compiled form literature, Na/K/Ca temperatures reveal eleven enclosed anomalies. With one exception located to the east of Borrego, these anomalies are substantiated by locations of warm wells and hot springs. The calculated temperatures (50°C to 65°C) are comparable with measured temperatures at thermal wells and hot springs except at Lake Arrowhead where reported temperatures (90°C) is considerably higher. Isothermal contouring also fails to enclose a known anomaly at Elsinore. Overall, Na/K/Ca geothermometry appears applicable in a reconnaissance survey to recommend sites for subsequent, detailed exploration. Quality of Na/K/Ca mapping can be improved by judicially rejecting bad data and refining the grid size for site specific smaller scale mapping.
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