Two new geothermal prospects in the Mexican Volcanic Belt: La Escalera and Agua Caliente - Tzitzio geothermal springs, Michoacan, Mexico

摘要

The La Escalera and Agua-Caliente Tzitzio geothermal areas are newly discovered geothermal prospects in Mexico that may have the potential to be utilized using binary cycle plants. Hot springs (40-50 degrees C) are constrained to the river banks in both areas, but gas discharges occur on the banks as well as in the riverbeds. The thermal water is predominantly bicarbonate type. Reconnaissance work yielded encouraging results, as the Na/K geothermometer indicates temperatures between 139 and 245 degrees C for La Escalera water samples in a partial equilibrium. La Escalera and Tzitzio have strong surface gas discharges, and dry gas samples were collected for delta C-13 isotopic analysis of CH4 and CO2; the results indicate a magmatic origin for the gas discharged.