An Investigation of the Geothermal Resource at Desert Hot Springs, California
- Key words
- Geophysical Surveys; Exploration; Geochemistry; Geology; USA; California; Riverside; Coachella Valley; Convection System; Temperature Gradient Holes; Spontaneous Potential; Boron; Chloride; Meteoric; Geothermometers; Gravity Magnetics; Mercury Survey; Lon
- Location
- Desert Hot Springs, California
- Conference
- Geothermal Resources Council Transactions
- Year
- 1986
- Session
- Exploration; Geophysical surveys; Shallow temperature survey
- Language
- English
Abstract
A shallow hot water resource has long been utilized at Desert Hot Springs for local spa heating. The study described in this paper helped define the quality and extent of the geothermal system to assist the city in planning for expanded use of the resource. The investigation included geologic mapping, geochemistry, geophysics, and drilling of temperature observation wells. The resource is a deep convection system which supplies a shallow alluvial aquifer, the thickness of which ranges from 200 to 600 meters. A maximum resource temperature of 135°C may be expected at depths of 1200 meters or more in fractured crystalline rock. The expanded use of the resource, however, will be limited by the existence of numerous shallow wells tapping the upper portion of the aquifer.
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