Geothermal Potential of West-Central New Mexico from Geochemical and Thermal Gradient Data

摘要

To study the low temperature and Hot Dry Rock (HDR) geothermal potential of west-central New Mexico, 46 water samples were collected and geothermal gradient measurements were made in 29 wells. Water chemistry data indicate that all the samples collected are meteoric waters. High temperatures of samples taken from wells between Gallup and Tohatchi indicate these wells may derive water from a warm aquifer below the depth of the wells. The chemistries of the samples farther south on the Zuni Indian reservation suggest these waters are not circulating below 600 m of the surface. Geothermometry calculations support the conclusion that the waters sampled are meteoric. The geothermometry also indicates that the deep reservoir between Gallup and Tohatchi may be greater than 60 exp 0 C. Thermal gradient data indicate an area of high gradient on the Zuni Indian Reservation with a measured maximum of 67 exp 0 C/km between 181 m and 284 m. This high probably is not hydrologically controlled. The maximum gradients in the study area are 76 exp 0 C/km and 138 exp 0 C/km, measured just east of Springerville, Arizona. These gradients are undoubtedly controlled by circulating water, possibly heated by a magmatic source at depth and circulating back to the surface. (ERA citation 06:007627)