Chlorite-smectite geothermometry of two wells from the Copahue geothermal field, Argentina

摘要

The mineralogy and paragenesis of phyllosilicate minerals in core samples from two exploration wells from the Copahue Geothermal Field (Neuquen, Argentina) were investigated by means of XRD and optical study, in order of evaluate their potential use as indicators of geothermometric conditions. Clay minerals constitute one of the main hydrothermal products of the metamorphic alteration of andesites, and show a rather wide range of variation in their structural and optical characteristics, regarded with the depth of occurrence. In this paper we use the data of a detailed study of alterations within the geothermal field of Copahue to evaluate the use of chlorite/smectite (C/S) mixed layer minerals at the view of their use as a quick and simple mean for the thermal characterization of the drilling zone.