Identification and characterization of regional ground-water flow systems using remote sensing and microbial methods

摘要

ASTER (Advanced Spaceborn Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer) and LANDSAT thermal IR images and reflectance spectra of mineral deposits associated with hot springs were used to identify hydrothermal discharge areas. Sixteen hydrothermal locations were sampled in New Mexico and the water analyzed for chemical and microbial composition. As a result of these analysis it is concluded that hot springs in the Valles Caldera area are heated by a shallow magma chamber, while all other sampled hot springs appear to be associated with the Rio Grande Rift. The hypothesis is put forward that prominent fracture zones associated with the Rio Grande Rift provide the discharge area of a deep (upper crustal) regional ground-water flow system.