Geothermal Resources Exploration and Assessment around the Cove Fort-Sulphurdale Geothermal Field in Utah by Multiple Geophysical Imaging

Abstract

The Cove Fort-Sulphurdale geothermal area is located in the transition zone between the Basin and Range to the west and the Colorado Plateau to the east. We have collected various geophysical data around the geothermal field, including heat flow, gravity, MT, seismic surface wave phase and group velocity maps, seismic body wave travel time data and full seismic waveforms. All of these geophysical data sets have different strengths on characterizing subsurface structures and properties. Combining these data through a coordinated analysis and, when possible, by joint inversion provides a detailed model of the Cove Fort geothermal region. Various geophysical data sets indicate that beneath the Cove Fort-Sulphurdale geothermal resource there is a strong anomaly of low seismic velocity, low gravity and high electrical conductivity that correlates with the high surface heat flow. This suggests that there is a heat source in the crust beneath the geothermal field. On the regional seismic velocity map, we can also identify some other low velocity anomalies, indicating other potential geothermal prospects.