New superficial trace of the Los Humeros and Los Potreros volcanic calderas, Mexico

Abstract

A photo-geologic re-interpretation and new analyses of gravimetric and resistivity data of the Los Humeros geothermal field allow define the new superficial trace of the rim of the Quaternary volcanic calderas of Los Humeros and Los Potreros in the Mexican states of Puebla and Veracruz. The photo-geologic re-interpretation shows a volcanic arc in the northern portion not previously identified. This feature is used to trace a new rim of the Los Humeros Caldera (LHC) together with some other volcanoes and craters and another southern volcanic arc. The new trace of the Los Potreros Caldera (LPC) includes several volcanic edifices and craters, like the Maztaloya crater and the Arenas, Los Coyotes, San Antonio, Don Fidel, Sotoltepec and El Gato volcanoes. The Bouguer’s anomaly map show a gravimetric minimum related to the LHC, which is coincident with the trace defined by the photo-geologic map. Some exploration geothermal wells were drilled in the past with the aim to intersect the deep trace of both calderas with no success. The new traces so defined imply new exploration targets in the Los Humeros geothermal field, which is one of the four fields in operation in Mexico.