The Rincon Geothermal System, Southern Rio Grande Rift, New Mexico: A Preliminary Report on a Recent Discovery
- Key words
- Exploration; Drilling; USA; New Mexico; Temperature Gradient Well; Radon; Soil Gas; Moderate Temperature; Sulfides; Mineralization; Faults; Geochemistry; Hydrology; Hydrothermal Alteration
- Location
- Rincon, New Mexico
- Conference
- Geothermal Resources Council Transactions
- Year
- 1991
- Session
- Exploration; Geological surveys; Temperature gradients; Geoc
- Language
- English
Abstract
Temperature gradient studies over a radon soil gas anomaly delineate a shallow up flow zone for the Rincon geothermal system, a probable intermediate temperature (90-150°C) resource in the southern Rio Grande rift, New Mexico. The Rincon system is associated with interbeds of opal and disseminated, sulfide mineralization in Pleistocene siliciclastic rocks. The system overlies the intersection of a convergent structure bounding a Laramide basement cored uplift, and a variety of mid to late Teritary tectonic features. Recurrent, late Tertiary and Quaternary rift related faulting may open deeply penetrating Laramide and mid Tertiary structures to form the plumbing for the Rincon geothermal system.
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